The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1884-05-27

room.
No. said I to myself, with hasty
survey of the tightly-shuttcred win
dows whose bolts and bars were tight
ened by a years corroding rust. I
must just 60 back to the garrent and
bide there.
In the midst of my perplexity, a sense
of the righteousness Of my position
dawned upon me. I laughed all to
myself as l glided noiselcssly up the
stairs, groping my way in the dark.
Cousin Battersley,' said to myself,
you don't know how near you are to
one of your relations. The chimney
smokes does it? Well, I only wish it
would smoke you out: Damp down
there, Is it? I ouly hope it won't give
your old bones rew lease of rheuma-
tism.'
It was so dark up in the garret now,
that could not even tell whether my
great grand aunt's eyes were watching
me or not.
There was just 'glimmcring square
where the hall window was, a moaning
rustic of dry leaves against the messy,
shingled roof and herd of mice pat
tering across the floor.
sat at the head of the stairs and
listcnd, with my chin in my hands.
He is sending his servant to the inn
for something in the shape of supper, [
thought. 'Ah! he don't know that the
iun is three good miles off. He has
not bad voice-it is low and pleasant.
Pm not sure but that he speaks with a
slight foreign accent. That | don't
like. In my mind Americans should
be Americans. Now he's making cof-
fee. And it smells delicious Dear
me, didn't know before how hungry |
was!'
Here I descended two or three steps.
L wonder what he is like !? l
thought.
I've great mind to slip down and
peep through the crack of the door.
Ny goodness me, what would mamma
say? And Simon2
How good that coffee does smell
And the chimney don't smoke any
more now.
Softly crept down. Goblin-like |
glided across the hall and to the big
mahogany door, which stood conven-
iently ajar.
The old room was all in glow of
ruddy light. Close to the hearth whose
blazing logs casts bright an illamina-
ton around, wooden chair was drawn
up, and there sat a young, handsome
man, leaning thoughtfully back, as if his
dark Spanish eyes saw far beyond the
leap of the faucs Of the columns of
blue smoke.
He isn't Old Crab Battcrsley at all,
said to myself. Hes like the hero
Of novel.
And then took a second look
Then who is hep | asked myself
and what business has he bere?'
All of sudden the ren,bing coffee
pot, which was placed on bed Of Goals
boiled over. The hero of romance
stopped to remove it, aud in the change
of position his eyes unexpectedly met
mine.
took refuge in instantaneous fight
but | was too late. He had seen me-,
and spraug to his feet. But the hall
was only lighted by the red stream of
brilliance from the blazing logs, and |
had the advantage of being thoroughly
acquainted with the premises. If I
could once hide away behind my great
grand aunt's picture in the garrett
But even as this possibility flashed
across my mind, l slipped on the lower
stair, sharp needle-like paug of pain
shot through my ankle, and | sank
helplcssly on the floor. My captor
FASTENED to the rescue
Are you hurty' said he, with solici-
tude.
Yes! | cried out sharply, 1 have
sprained my ankle.
But beg your pardon! he said,
II don't quite know who you are, nor
how you came here!
I am Barbara Battcrslcy!' said l,
de6antly.
My cousin 2 with sudden bright
ness in his face.
Yes, suppose SOP l upgraciously
admitted
What can do for you?' he qucs-
toned, earnestly.
You can let :ne alone y cried con-
tractiug my brows. as a frcsh spasm OF
pain thrille.! my nerves
lie looked at NE, half smiling.
4 could, suppose, said he; but
don't you think | had better help you
in by the FIRE. and then go for the
nearest doctor, if you will kindly direct
NE to one
His manner was kindly, although a
little sa;irical. | was heartily ashamed
of yself.
l beg your pardor 2 l said. You
conl'lu'. help my clumsiness, aud you
cannot prevent the pain. But
At This moment there came volley
OF laundering knocks at the door. 1t
was Simon, come to see what on earth
had become Of me
It's raining like the dclugc,' said be
and the tide is up, and-hello who is
this and why are you so pale? Is
any thing the mattery
Il dou't know what happened just
then. believe [ tainted.
When | came to my seuses, mamma
was there, and the doctor, aud cousin
Battersley's Italian servant, who knew
exactly what to do iu every emergency
And my ankle was bandaged up, ano