The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-10-25


beard, and a quantity Of thick black
hair. | noticed his features, which
we're tolerably regular.
noticed another popularity; among
his raven locks was one perfectly white.
One rather thick white lock was flung
back off his forehead-so white was 1t
that the fire instantly revealed it to me.
The man did not glance toward the
bed, he went straight, with no particu
larly quiet step, to the dressing-table.
| closed my eyes now, but l heard him
taking up my trinkets and dropping
them again. Then he approached the
bedside. [ felt him come close, | felt
his breath as he bent over me. L was
lying on my side, my eyes were shut, 1
was breathing gently.
He went away again; he returned to
the dressing-table, heard him rather
noisily strike 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 flame as he passed it softly before
my closed eyes. 1 lay still, however;
not a movement, not hurried breath,
betrayed me.
heard him give short satisfied
sigh. Again, candle in hand, he re-
turned to the dressing-table. Once
more heard the clinking sound of my
trinkets as they fell through his fingers.
There was pause, and then-for no
reason that 1 could ever explain-he
left the trinkets untouched on the table
and went to the door.
He opened the door and went out. l
did not know what he went for-per-
haps to fetch companion, certainly to
return-but L did know that my oppor-
tunity had come.
In an instant, quicker than thought,
1 had started from my feigned slumbers;
| was at the door, 1 had bolted and
locked 1t. There were several bolts to
this old-fashioned door, there were even
chains.
drew every bolt, made every rusty
chain secure. was not an instant too
soon. had scarcely fastened the last
chain, with fingers that trembled, 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
Ihe had accomplices outside, that they
would soon burst open the old door, land
my life would be the forfeit.
To my terror, perceived that his
words were no idle boast. The old dool
secured by its many fastenings on one
side, was weak on the other; its hinges
we're nearly eaten through with rust;
they needed but some vigorous kicks To
burst them from their resting places in
Ithe wood.
L knew that was only protected fol
a few minutes, that even if the thief
was alone he had bat TO continue to as
sail the door as vigorously as he was
now doing for little longer, to gain q
fresh entrance into my chamber.
rushed to the window, 1 threw up
the sash, and bent out. Into the clear
calm air of the night sent my strong
young voice.
"Help, helpl-thievesl - fireI - dan.
Igerl-help, helpI'
L shouted these words over and over
Ibut there was no response except an
echo. My room looked into the distant
shrubbery; the 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 con
sequences, the moment he entered the
room to leap from the window, when
lheard dog bark.
| redoubled my cries. The bark OF
the dog was followed by footsteps; they
Icame nearer, ,treading down fallen bran
ches, which cracked under his welcome
lsteps. The next instant man came
and stood under the window, and looked
lup at me. L perceived by his dress
THAT he was yillager, probably taking
a short cut to his house. He stood un
lder the window; he seemed terrified
perhaps he took me for the ghost. Ii,
was not, however, all Il coward, for h,
spoke.
"What is wrong2" he said.
''This is wrong" answered; 81 an
in ertreme danger-eTtreme danger
There is not a moment to lose. Go in
stantly-instantly, and wake up thu
house, and say that L, Mrs. Crawford
am in extreme danger in the Tapestr,
wing. Go at once-at onceI''
Ispoke distinctly, and the man seemeC
to understand. He flew away, the dol
following him.
L instantly threw myself on my knees
and in the terrible moments that fol
lowed 1 prayed as had never prayet
before. Would the man be in time
Must my young life be sacrlficedPn
| @hh' hO' eSN Who BOOus L u6dIt
joyful sounds; the thief's attacks on tn
door had ceased suddenly, and the mex
instant the squire's hearty voice wa
heard.
"Let me in, HonorI What is wrong
Ichild?"
did let him in, and his wife. an,
sevsral alarmed-looking servants VIII
followed after.
We instantly began TO look for TIL
thief, but-mystery of mysteries-h
had disappeared.
That terrible man with the black hal
and white lock over his forehead hai
vanished as completely as though he ha,
never been.
Except for the marks he had mad
luyith hta Paat m, tho old nalr annr tto,,