The Branding iron. [volume] (Atoka, I.T. [Okla.]) 1884-1884, 1884-03-01
Oh Love and burglary.

Some time ago the wife of n merchant
was Suddenly awakened in the night 10y
The sound oi footsteps in her bedroom,
and the mex, moinent the light Of q
lark lantern flooded her face 30 near
that sic could almost feel the heat and
hear the suppressed breathing of the
intruder Her husband was from
bonir. and the only person in Che house
cNccpt herself WIS Il servant -giri. who
slept i'm the story beneath. Her pres
rncc Of mind did uot. however, forsakc
her. I, doubtless requires n great
.mount al resignation and foriitudc in
a woman to listen to. without scream
ing. the ransnckin,g Of her store ot val
unbe laccs and ihc appropriation Of
her icwelry; but the lady. very ration
ally dccming her life worth al the
lace and diamonds in the world. quiet
~ closed her eyes and awaited the Pc
suit.
The light was withdrawn from her
face and She heard the ruslling of silks.
the picking Of locks. and occasionally q
low whisper of surprise or disappoint-
moni Then there was silence fora full
minute ii seemed an hour 10 her and
soft fooisicp approached The bet. and
the glare OF the lantern again fell upon
her face. Through the closed lids OF
her ewes she saw the light, but re-
maincd calm and molionlcss in IL scru
tini1ing rays, fearful that the least
movement might impcril her life. What
n moment oi suspense. Tnc light was
removed fror, her face, and she fclt that
some one WAS leaning against The bed.
al Il
she eiir when The warm breath Of the
burglar famed her cheek Not until
u. lips press Il her iorctcad did She
spring NJ aud half shrek "Who IS in
III r0unW'
Hush" responded voice in q
hoarse whisper. while n rough hand
was laid on her shoulder "Spoal,
nothing, ani fear nothing The nest
moment she heard the sound of retreat
ins iootsic9s and the crcaking of q
shutter then al wa, still again Salts
fled that she was alone, she sprang from
the bed and touched II lighted match tc
the burner. then sank into chair. com.
plrtcly prnstratcd with the danger
thrb gh whicn she had passed. Rccoy.
.ring. she lookcd round 10 ascertain oi
wha, she had been plundcred
The drawers were all in the utmost
confusion. but, strange TO say, little ol
nothing was missing. y casket oi
icWclry was open on the bureau but
the diamonds and gold were all there.
Beside the caskei She discovered n little
roll OF paper containing u ring which
had been givcn to her many years be
fore. and which had been in her posses.
sion ever since. Half bcwildcrcd ut In,
singular proceeding. she was abou, &c
cat the paper from her when her eye
caught the marks Of pencil upon it,
She carefully opened il and read
Ihls ring, which once was mnc, tells me II
iaw--thc world knows II, and do not care to
deny n; bat. fallen as ! am, can not rut
vol. Marir. Forgive me. aud God bless you.
HFNRY.
This explained all. Falling on hcl
knees. She prayed for him who hat
written the scroll. And who was
Ilcnry?' Ten years ago he loved the
same Maria. and he would have mad,
her his wife for she had promised {,
hc his had he not taken to drink ano
gambling and Gnally forged the nam,
4 Of bis employer, for which hc was givcr
\ IS One irf u tCnvict prifpn. Wien h'
:. ~ worthy ~ her love ht gave he' thai
W.. onl she had kept il in remembrance,
oi shat he had been. This is the stor,
of the ring.
On the return Of the husband the wifi
related 10 him the adycrtur, aud Shove,
him the note; bu, he has never at
tcmpioS to arrest the burglar. Gjcop
trhttc.