Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-02-12
One Dark Night.

The night was extremely dark, for
the stars that twinkled in the black
sky had no power TO light the dull
earth.
Nervously, with a beating heart, a
young gill hurried down country lane,
parcel i'm her hands. Sh, was Lon
don bred, and had the town fear OF
country lanes, and, il she did not
think "every bush an officer" dread
ed that every bush might conceal a
thief. Eveline Moreton was employed
by a large London mourning establish
ment, and she had been sent down ac-
cording to the advertisement to "ft"
recently bereayed family. If the way
was dark and gloomy, Eveline's thoughts
were dark and gloomy, too. The poor
child was tired and hungry, for her
train had been detained for two hours
by an accident OH thu line. She had
been told to take a cab, but there was
no cab to be had, and North Lodge was
'quite three mile walk" the sleepy
porter had informed her. His direct
ions had been clear enough. Eveline
was to keep straight along the dull
gloomy lane, till she reached the high
road, when North Lodge would be the
third house. Oh how she wished the
walk at an end it was so dark and
dull and lonely. Eveline paused sud-
denly, and looked down the path she
had to pursue with frightened eyes,
for she distinctly heard footsteps. If
she had yielded to her first impulse of
childish terror she would have tried to
find some hiding-place behind the
hedge but ashamed of her fears, she
walked on with low nervous laugh.
The footsteps approached rapidly, and
soon a dark figure came in sight. Eve
! line shrank back to get out of its way,
but it moved also, so that it was still
right in front of her.
"Good night !" said gruff voice.
"Good night !" repeated Eveline !;
for, as Charles Dickens said, we are
never so polite as when we are fright
ened.
at is dark night for you to be out
in, went on the man. Have you such
a thing as a copper about you to give
poor fellow 7"
Trembling Eveline took cut herpurse
to look for penny as she did so, it
was suddenly snatched out of her hand.
Eveline gave little cry of distress at
the loss Of the money but she was
TOO much alarmed to utter single
word of remonstrance. The mans
hurley figure still barred the way.
LET me pass" she pleaded. 81
have no jewelry. My purse was the
only thing had worth stealing you
have that, so pray let me 60"
Don't be in such a hurry, pretty
one," said the man, with a course
laugh, and he caught hold of her arm.
81 want to speak to you."
'Oh pray-pray-let me CO." cried
Eveline, dropping the parcel, for her
poor little healt was beating almost to
suffocation.
mot till I've given you a kiss" he
said insolently. "You are very pref
ty girl"
And he drew her nearer to him, so
that his rough beard touched her cheek.
Eveline pushed him from her with all
her force, uttering scream after scream.
Her terror gave her sudden strength,
and for quite minute she kept him at
arms length.
"You little vixen |" he exclaimed
with an oath. ''I'll have that kiss in
spite of all your your struggles l will
by"
He never finished the sentence for,
at that moment, well-directed blow
from powerful fist felled him to the
ground.
"You cowardly blackguard - cried
the newcomer Indignantly. "IIow
dare you insult lady a! Stand up and
let me knock you down again |"
But this the tramp wisely declined
to do. He rolled over in abject terror,
whining out an appeal for mercy, as
the young man spurned him with his
foot.
81 am indeed sorry that you should
have been frightened by the fellow"
said the stranger, lifting his hat and
turning to Eveline.
The girl tried to thank him ; but her
emotion was too great, and putting her
hand to her eyes she cried bitterly,
while the young man looked on SYM
pathetically, scarcely knowing what to
do or say under such embarrassing cir
cumstances.
"My parcel - she exclaimed sud-
denly, thinking of her employers prop
erty.
SIS here !" returned her new friend,
picking it up, as he spoke, land your
| purse tOo.n he added. for in the Strug.