, 1884-11-30

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Is possible.
was about TO rise from my easy chair and
go over to the old-fashioned four-postsr,
when again my attention was attracted to
the glass over my head. II was hung in such
a way as to reveal a largo portion Of the
room, and l now saw, not the diamonds, but
-something else. In tho folds Of the dim
and old-world tapestry l saw something move
and glitter. l looked again; there was no
installing lit was an Eye, a human eye,
looking fxedly ut me through a hole in the
canvas. Now 1 knew why felt that was
not alone. Them was some one hidden be-
tween the tapestry hangings and the wall of
the chamber Some memo a ghost. That
eye wns human, or l had never looked on
human eye before. l was alone with a thief,
perhaps with worse, and gems Of Immense
value lay within his reach. I was abso-
lutely alone, not a soul could hear the most
agonized cry for help In this distant room.
Now l knew-if l had ever doubted it be-
fore-that / was a very brave woman. The
imminoncs of the peril steadied the nerves
which a few minutes before were beginning
strangely TO CULVER. / never started nor ex
claimed. l felt that l had in no way be
trayed my knowledge to my terrible guest.
I sat perfectly stu, thinking out the situa.
ton and my chances Of escape Nothing but
consummate GOODNESS could win the victory.
/ resolved 10 be very cool. With a fervent
and passionate cry to One above for succor,
1 rose from my chair, and going TO the dress
ing-table, l slipped several costly rings off
my fingers. I left them scattered carelessly
about. Idenuded myself Of all but my we'd
ding-ring. Then l put the e~xtinguishers on
the candles-they were wax. and stood in
massive silver candlesticks. The room, how
ever, was still brilliant with the Light Of the
a.. - tho hoarfh rot int haA 1afI INV
head on the pillow, and closed my eyes.
1t may have been ten minutes-it seemed
more like an hour TO my strained senses-be-
fore / heard the faintest movement Then l
discovered a little rustic behind the tapestry,
and n man got out. When he did so l opened
my eyes wide; at that distance he could not
possibly sec whether they were open or shut.
He was q powerful ma OF great hsight
and breadth. He had a black beard, and a
quantity OF thick, black hair. ! noticed his
features, which were tolerably regular. 1
also noticed another popularity; among his
raven locks was ono perfectly white. One
rather thick white lock was hung back Off
f~orehaad-so white was IL that the fire In
stantly revealed IL to me.
The man did not glance toward the bed; he
went straight, with no particular quiet
to the d~roEing-table. Iclosed my eyes now,
but l heard him picking up my trinkets and
dropping them again. Then he approached
the bedside. l felt him come close, | felt his
breath as he bent over me. 1 was lying on
my side, my eyes were shut. 1 wns breathing
gently.
He went away again; he returned to the
dressing-table. 1 heard him rather noisily
strike d match, then with "A lighted candle
In his hand he once more approached the
bed. This time he bent very low indeed,
and / felt the heat OF the fame as he passed
it softly before my closed eyes. 1 lay still,
however; not a movement, not a hurried
breath, betrayed me.
1 heard him give a short satisfied sigh.
Again, candle In hand, he returned to the
dressing-table. Once more l hoard the
climbing sound OF my trinkets as they fell
through his 1ngers- There was a pause, and
then-for no reason that l could ever explain
he left tho trinkets untouched on the table,
and went to the door. He opened the door
and went out. 1 did not know what he went
for-perhaps to fetch a companion, certainly
TO return-but l did know that my oppor-
tunity had come.
In an instant, quicker than thought, l had
started from my feigned slumbers; l was at
the door, l had bolted and locked IL There
were several bolts to this old -fashioned door,
there were even chains. / drew every bolt,
l made every rusty chain secure. l was not
an instant too soon / had scarcely fastened
the last chain, with fingers that tremblsd,
before the thief returned. He saw that he
had been outwitted, and his savage anger
knew no bounds He kicked at the door. he
called on me wildly to open it; he assured
me that no had accomplices outside, that
they would soon burst the old door from its
hinges, and my life would be the forfeit
To my terror, 1 perceived that his words
were no idle boast The door, secured by its
many fastenings on the one side, wal weak
IN the other; its hinges wore nearly eaten
through with rust; they needed but some
vigorous kicks 10 burst them from their
~resting-places In the wood. / knew that /
was only protected for a few minutes, that
even II the thief wa alone he had but TO
continue to assail tho door as vigorously rs
he was now doing for n Little longer, to gain
a fresh entrance into my chamber.
Irushed to the window, threw up the sash,
and bent half out. Into the clear, calm air
OF the night l sent my strong young voice.
Help, helpl = thievesi - firel-dangeri-
help helpfn
l shouted these words over and over, but
there was no response except an eoho. My
room looked into a distant shrubbery; this
hour was late, the whole household was in
bed. The thief outside was evidently max
ing way with the rusty hinges. and | was
preparing, at the risk of any consequences
the moment he entered the room to leap
from the window, when l heard a dog bark
Iredoubled my cries. The bark Of the dog
was followed by footsteps; they came nearer.
treading down fallen branches, which
cracked under the welcome steps. The next
instant a man came and stood under the
window, and looked up at me. Iparceived
by his dress that he was a villager, prob
ably taking a short cut to his house. He
stood under the window; he seemed terrified;
perhaps he took me for the ghost He was
not, however, all n coward, for he spoke.
What is wrongf" he said.
This Is wrong" 1 answered; a am In ex-
tremo danger-ext reme danger. There isnot
a moment to lose. Go instantly-instantly,
and wake up the house, and say that !, Mrs.
Crawford, am In extreme danger in the
Tapestry wing. Go at once-at oncoi"
Ispoke distinctly, and the man seemed to
understand. He flew away, the dog follow.
ing him. l Instantly threw myself on my
knees, and in the terrible moments that fol-
lowed l prayed as 1 had never prayed before.
Would the man be in timei Must my young
life be sacriicsdi
Ali no. God was good. l heard joyful
sounds; The thiefs attacks on the door ceased
suddenly, and tho next instan / the squire's
hearty voice was heard.
LET me in, Honori What is wrong,
childf'
did lot him in, and his wife, and several
alarmed looking servants who followed after.
We instantly began to look for the thief,
but-mystery Of mystcries-he had disap
peared. hat terrible man with the blacl
hair and white lock over his forehead had
vanished as completely as though he had
never been- Except for the marks be had
made with his feet on the old oak door, Their,
was not a trace OF his existence. / believ,
the servants doubted that he had even been
and only thought that the young lady who
was foolish enough to sleep in the Tapestry
chamber had bssn waited by . nav form Of
Every smoker should try Little