Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-12

however. indeed, l laughed little
as | thought of fathers anxiety. He
was almost as timid as mother, after
all.
was of rather easy, careless dis
position, and really had not particle
of fear Of having the money in my
keeping. And as we two sat there III
the library for long while after this,
mother doing in the big chair, and l in
tent upon some fancy work which | was
anxious to finish in time for friends
birthday, | forgot altogether of the
package of money that lay at the bot
tom of my dress pocket.
Joseph did not get back until after
10 o clock, although it was only three
miles to the junction, and he should
have been home long before that hour
We thought little of that, however.
| He had been with us several wears, and
[ learned that he had been recently led
into bad company, and that father had
several times had angry words with
him about his habits.
Joseph slept in the house, and for
that reason it seemed to me quite I'M
necessary that Harry Randall should
| be there also.
When the clock struck 10 mother
arose, declaring it was time to 90 to
bed. She went into all the lower
rooms to see that the windows and
doors were fastened, and then came
back to the library for me.
But did not feel sleepy, and wanted
very much to 60 on with my work, so
! begged her to 90 upstairs without
me, promising to come up in the course
of an hour.
The clock struck II almost before /
knew the time had passed. l laid down
ny work and counted the strokes with
out looking at the clock itself.
| was sitting at little comfortable,
near the lamp. At my left, little way
off against the wall, was fathers desk,
with books and papers scattered upon
it, and the battery ut one end.
Opposite me were two long windows
that opened upon the side piazza. Over
these were thick curtains, closely
drawn, which did not shut out the
sound of the pelting storm outside. Di-
rectly behind me was the hall door,
standing, Us usual, wide open.
Just then I heard, or fancied I heard,
q low SIGH or breath in the hall.
felt q little uneasy, and smiled to my
self at my nervousness, then took up
! my work again. [ had not finished
what [ had set myself TO do.
| had not taken three stitches when
laid the work down again. There was
no use denying it or laughing at my
self. For some reason there suddenly
came over me q strong feeling of ner-
yousness and dread. 1t seemed as il
] realized as | had not before that even
ing the fact that | was sitting all alone
downstairs in the house, at II o'clock
at night, with q large sum of money in
my pocket.
Iglanced at the desk. Possibly Har-
~ was still at work at the office. If he
was, a single sentence over the wire
would call him.
| was getting up to go to the desk to
signal and see if he was at the mill,
when something occurred to me that
seemed to turn me cold and motionless
as stone in an instant.
Behind me, so close that [ knew il
came from the threshold of the hal
door, low, hoarse voice, that knew,
without seeing the speaker, must be
that of desperate and wicked man,
broke the stiffness, and babe me Good
eveningp'
For a moment, as l say, | felt as
though l had been turned to stone.
Then the voice, speaking again, seemed
at least to restore the life in me, and tC
set my heart to beating violently.
The language that the man used was
not even rs good English as, in at
tempting to reproduce, | find myself
writing.
Don't be frightened, miss. [ BEG
of We not to be frightened. All we've
got ter do is ter keep still, an not g
hair of yer pretty head shall be
| harmed"
Then l turned my head, half-wheel-
ING my chair at the same time, and saw
standing in the doorway tall, brutal.
| looking man, altogether as ugly and i'll
conditioned and fearful-looking a per-
son as [ ever had seen.
Naturally enough / opened my lips
to utter little cry, but he stopped me
by single threatening motion OF club
he carried in his hand.
"S-h," he fiercely Kissed. eff We
raise single scream I'll strike We as
senseless as yer mother is upstairs"
The last word changed for moment
the nature of my fear and gave me
strength to speak.
''What have you done to my moth.
er?" l demanded eXcitedly. DO you
mean-have you killed her?''
He uttered sort of low laugh.
No, my dear; she was waking up,
so we had ter use chloroform An
you must keep still or you'll be served
the same way. You see, it's just here
He drew step nearer and seemed
disposed to explain matters.
What we want is some money your
father brought down from Palmer yis.
terday. Maybe yer don't know about
it; but we do, and we know he left il
in the house when he went Off tonight.
My friend is up stairs lookin' for it this
minute. Ali we want is the money.
We don't mean harm to nobody. Ye
shan't be touched if We behave yerseli
an keep quiet"
Somewhat assured by this. and hav.