McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-08-07

pocket.
Joseph did not get back until after
10 o'clock, although it was only three
miles to the junction, and he should
haYe been home long before that
hour.
We thought little of that, however.
He had been with us several years, and
l 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 60 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 go on with my work, so.
/ begged her to 60 on without me,
promising to come up in the course of
an hour.
The clock struck II almost before /
knew the time had passed. laid
down my work and counted the
strokes without looking at the clock
itself.
was sitting at little center table,
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 at 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.
Directly opposite me was the hall door,
standing, as usual, wide open.
Just then l heard or fancied heard,
low sigh or breath in the hall. 1
turned my head instantly, but did not
see any person, and listening intently,
heard no further sound. l felt little
uneasy, and smiled to myself at my
nervousness and dread. 1t seemed as
if l had realized as I had not done be-
fore that evening, the fact that was
sitting all alone downstairs in the
house, at II o'clock at night, with a
large sum of money in my pocket.
l. SlduCcu DIT Vic ucSh. OSSlUly
Harry was still at work at the office.
If he was a single sentence over the
wire would call him.
was just getting up to 90 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 mo-
tionless as stone in an instant. j.
Behind me, so close that it came
from the threshold of the hall door, a
low, hoarse voice, that knew, without
seeing the speaker, must be that of a
desperate and wicked man. broke the
stiffness, and babe me "Good even
ing"' q
For a moment, as 1 say, l felt as
though 1 had been turned to stone.
Then the voice, speaking again, seemed
at least to restore the life in me, and
to set my heart to beating violently.
The language that the man used was
not even as good English as, in at
to reproduce, l find myself
writing. @*l.
Don't be frightened, miss. 1 beg
of We not to be frightened. All we've
got to do is ter keep still, an not
hair of your pretty head shall be
harmed
Then turned my head, half wheel
ing my chair at the same time, and
saw standing in the doorway tall,
brutal looking man, altogether as ill
and fearful looking a per-
son as ever have seen.
Naturally enough I opened my lips
to utter little cry, but he stopped me
by single threatening motion of a
club he carried in his hand.
sS-h,'' he fiercely Kissed. elf We
raise a single scream I'll strike We as
senseless as yer mother is upstairs" i
The last word changed for the mo-
ment the nature of my fear and gave
me strength to speak.
"What have you done to nay
mother?" / demanded excitedly. ''Do
you mean-have you killed her?'
He uttered low laugh.
mo, my dear; she was waking up,
so we had ter use chloroform. An
YOU must keep still or you'll be used
the same way. You see, it's just
here"
He drew a step. nearer and seemed
disposed to explain matters.
s.What we want is some money
which your father brought down from
Palmer yesterday. Maybe yer don't
know about it, but we do, and we know
he left it in the house when he went off
tonight. My friend is upstairs looking
for It this minute. All we want is
money. We don't mean to harm nobody
Ye shan't be touched if We behave yer
self an keep quiet"
Somewhat assured by this, and hay
inc had time while he was speaking to
collect myself, was now able to as
sumo an appearance at least of calm
ness.
took up my embroidery and went
on working, or pretending to work-at
the pattern 1 was embroidering; l
think the action helped me, too, for |
presently found myself quite calm, and
with a GOODNESS and resolution that [
can hardly believe now, as recall it,
turning over in my mind what l ought
to do.