The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-05-30
old Love md burglary.

Old Love md burglary.
Some time ago the wife of mer-
chant was suddenly awakened in the
night by the sound OF footsteps in her
bedroom, and the next moment the
light OF dark-lantern flooded her
face, 50 near that she could almost
feel the head, and hear the suppressed !
breathing of the intruder. Her hus-
band was from home, and the only
person in the house except herself
was seryant-girl, who slept in the
story beneath. Her presence Of mind
did not, however, forsake her. 1t
doubtless requires great amount Of
resignation and fortitude in a woman
to listen to, without screaming, the
ransacking OF her store of valuable
laces and appropriation of her jewel
ry; but the lady, very nationally
deeming her life worth all the lace
and diamonds in the world, quietly
closed her eyes and awaited the re-
suit.
The light was withdrawn from her
face, and she heard the rusting of
silks, the picking OF locks, and occa-
sionally low whisper OF surprise or
disappointment Then there was
silence for full minute-it seemed an
hour to her-and soft foOtstep APP
preached the bed, and the glare OF
the lantern again fell again upon her
face. Through the closed lids of her
eyes she saw the light, but renamed
calm and motionless in its scrutiniz-
ing rays, fearful that the least move
ment might imperil her life. What a
moment OF suspense! The light was
removed from her face, and she felt
that some one was leaning against the
bed, Still she remained motionless,
nor did she stir when the warm breath
Of the burglar famed her cheek. Not
until his lips pressed her forehead did
she spring up and half shrek, "Who
is in this room?'
"llush!" responded a voice in a
hoarse whisper, while a rough hand
was laid on her shoulder. "Speak
nothing and fear nothing" The next
moment she heard. the sound OF re-
treating footsteps, and the creaking OF
Il shutter, then all was still again.
Satisfied that she was alone, she
Sprang from the bed and touched a
lighted match to the burner, then
sank into chair, completely pros
, tratcd with the danger through which
she had passed. Recovering, she looked
around to ascertain OF what she had
5 been plundered
+ The drawers were all in the utmost
5 confusion, but, strange to say, little Oh
2 nothing was missing. A casket OF
jewelry was opened on the bureau
4 but the diamonds and gold were nj
!, there. Beside the casket she discov
= cred little roll of paper containing
z ring which had been given to he
, many years before, and which haC
been in her possession ever since
Y Half bewildered at the singular pro
ceedings, she was about to cast TIN
4 paper from her, when her eyes caugh
G the marks of a pencil upon it. Sh
y opened it and read
4 "rhis ring, which once was mine
o tells me in whose house | am. You
q know | am an outlaw--the worlt
knows it, aud | do not care to deny j
but fallen as | am | cannot rob you
G Maria. Forgive me, and God bles
II you. HENRY" y
t This explained all. Falling on he
q knees, she prayed Tor him who ha
II written the scroll And who wa
e Henry" Ten years ago he love
d that same Maria, and he would hav
IS made her his wife-for she had prom
y, Used to be his--had he not taken t.
e drink and gambling, and finally fors
ed the name of his employer, &c
t which he was given a home in a COZ
Is vict prison. When he'was worthy {
e her love he gave her that ring, an
$. she had kept it in remembrance {
n what he had been, This is the stor
At Of the ring.
! On the return Of the husband til
1t wife related to him the adventure, an
it showed him the note; but he III
e never attempted to arrest the bu
Id glar
W ----s -s---