The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-09-13
Old Love and Burglary.

Some time ago the wife of merchant
was suddenly awakened in the night by
the sound of footsteps in her bedroom,
and the next moment the light of a
dark lantern flooded her face so near
that she could almost feel the heat and
hear the suppressed breathing of the
intruder Her husband was from
home, and the only person in the house
except herself was a servant-girl, who
slept in the story beneath. Her pres
ence of mind did not, however, forsake
her. 1t doubtless requires great
amount of resignation and fortitude in
a woman to listen to, without scream
ing, the ransacking of her store of val
liable laces and the appropriation of
her jewelry; but the lady, very ration
ally deeming her life worth all the
lace and diamonds in the world, quiet
ly closed her eyes and awaited the re-
suit.
The light was withdrawn from her
face and she heard the rustling of silks,
the picking of locks, and occasionallya
low whisper of surprise or disappoint-
ment. Then there was silence for full
minuJe-it seemed an hour to her-and
a soft footstep approached the bed, and
the glare of the lantern again fell upon
her face. Through the closed lids of
her eyes she saw the light, but re-
mained calm and motionless in its scru-
tinizing rays, fearful that the least
movement might imperil her life. What
moment of suspense! The light was
removed from her face, and she felt that
some one was leaning against the bed.
Still she remained motionless, nor did
she stir when the warm breath of the
burglar famed her cheek. Not until
his lips pressed her forehead did she
spring up and half shrek: "Who is in
this room?"
"Hush!'' responded voice in a
hoarse whisper, while rough hand
was laid on her shoulder. "Speak
nothing, and fear nothing" The next
moment she heard the sound of retreat
ing footsteps and the creaking of a
shutter, then all was still again. Salts
| fed that she was alone, she sprang from
| the bed and touched lighted match to
the burner, then sank into a chair, COM
pletely prostrated with the danger
! throug Oh which she had passed. Reco4-
ering, she looked round to ascertain of
what she had been plundered.
The drawers were all in the utmost
confusion, but, strange to say, little or
nothing was missing. A casket of
iewelry was open on the bureau, but
the diamonds and gold were all there.
Beside the casket she discovered a little
roll of paper containing ring which
had been given to her many years be-
fore, and which had been in her posses
sion ever since. Half bewildered at the
singular proceeding, she was about to
cast the paper from her when her eye
caught the marks of a pencil upon it.
She carefully opened it and read:
| This ring, which once was mine, tells me in
law-the world knows it, and 1 do not care to
deny it; but, fallen as 1 am, 1 can not rob
you, Maria. Forgive me- and God bless you.
| HENRY.
This explained all Falling on her
knees, she prayed for him who had
written the scroll. And who was
"Henry?" Ten years ago he loved the
same Maria, and he would have made
her his wife-for she had promised to
be his-had he not taken to drink and
gambling and finally forged the name
of his employer, for which he was given
home in a convict prison. When he
was worthy of her love he gave her that
ring, and she had kept it in remembrance
of what he had been. This is the story
of the ring.
On the return of the husband the wife
related to him the adventure and showed
him the note; but he has never at
tempted to arrest the burglar. Chicago
Tribune.