The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1886-12-23

moro OF thl9 nonbtnso, anu shc AieSSN w
shade OF anxiety OF his face and went into
the little bedroom adjoining.
Long before sunrise the simple house
hold was astir, a hearty breakfast was
eaten. and half an hour later woman's
forlorn figure might have been seen stand
ing aione in the road outside the humble
dwelling, In listening attitude, as the oc-
casional sound OF beloved voices came back
20 her ON the still wintry air. Notuntl the
last tones had died away did she turn and
90 into the house II was not long before
the sun rose clear and bright, and soon IN
dustrious hands dispelled all lingering
sense OF loneliness.
The usual household duties over, she pro-
ceeded to prepare q pleasant surprise Tor
her dear ones. Ere nightfall, from the
rudeceiling overhead depended graceful
fcstoons of evergreen: the slvery frost
work OF the windows had d worthy cmer-
aid setting aud the spacious fireplace
filed with golden light and warmth was
surrounded by q rich mass OF green; In
short, the humble little dwelling had been
completely transformed by the magic
hands Of love, and this same touch had fair
ly trnnsigured the face and form OF the
occupant until she appeared every Inch the
queen OF this fragrant, summer bower.
AT last there was nothing more 10 be
done. Each stocking Willieis, Henry's,
ycs, Johns, and her own rs wcll-all hung
around tho chimney, which was surely nm
pie enough 10 admit the burly form OF Kris
Kringle himself, II he still kept up his old
custom. And now II was time 10 prepare
for the night. AS she drew the plain white
curtains together she found, 70 her surprise,
that each window was nailed fast, aud she
knew that this was the work OF dear,
thoughtful John before he went away.
Why had he been 80 worried about her, she
wondered There was nothing 70 fear, abe
tried 20 rcassuro herself, as she went to the
outside doors and drew the bolts; nerertho-
less, with candle in hand she searched
thoroughly each room, not ncglecting 70
lift the bed-valanoe, and investigate the
proverbiA, hiding place OF thieves aud viii
lains Then sho put the candle out and
erept softly into bed Many times shc had
stayed alone thus without shadow Of fear
why should she caro- Dowi she asked
herself again and again, and trying TO be-
lievc that she was only nervous from
fatigue she at last dropped into rlumber,
How long had she slepti She could not
tell. but she had awakened with start,
and was sitting up in bed In a half con-
scious state. hocould not tell what had
reused her, but she thought IL must have
been the striking Of the clock, for II was
just telling the hour Of twelve with start
| ling distinctnoss; yet there she sat mo-
tionless long after the last stroke had died
away in tho oppressive stiffness. The
moonlight was shining through tho cur
tains, casting an uncertain light over each
object In tho room II seemed rs II some
mysterious presence had startled her. She
listened with painful interest, her gaze
| nxod on the window opposite, and, as she
looked, the dark outline OF the easement
seemed TO move upward. No, II could not
be- II must have been caused by the
strong wind that was blowing; yet saroly
| the wind could not move II in that direc-
| ton.
She thought OF the Indians that Hiram
had seen that day; she thought OF the
money concealed under the foot Of the bed,
and then Johns charge 70 her regarding
the danger-signal flashed through her mind.
She sprang out Of bed in aniustant, but the
next moment, TO her dismay, abe reinem-
bered that she had neglected 70 bring the
| dinner-horn into the house, and that IL was
then lying 10 It's accustomed place In the
woodshed. She would not venture out there
| for kingdom. All her courage seemed to
leave her. Noiselessly she went to the
window 20 ascertain TO a GER
tainty that IL was secure, and as she exam
ined each one in turn, she could distinctly
hear footsteps on the cracking snow, fol-
lowing her, and trying zach window as she
approached II. Then the steps seemed 10
retreat, and a few moments later she heard
the door.latch softly lifted, but she knew
she Ind nothing TO fear from that direction,
and taking advantage of tho moment she
| timidly raised o corner of the curtain and
looked out Her fears were oil too plainly
verified, for there in the bright moonlight
was tho unmistalable figure OF great
brawny Indian. She could clearly disiin-
guish his swarthy features, and, as his
blanket swayed TO and fro In the wind she
thought she detected cleaning knife in
| his belt
She hastily dropped the curtain and once
moro listened with brcathlcss anxiety.
| For time all was still; then strange,
rustling sound was heard, and the next
thing she realized was that heavy body
was creeping along the roof. Great
heavens what was the creature going 10
dol A noise near the chimney seemed 10
bc her answer. Already he was coming
down there, and, taking in the situation at
a glance, the courage and strength OF des-
peration came TO her To rush into the
room, drag out the straw bed and fling II
on the dying embcrs was the work OF
scarcely an instant. Then involuntariiy her
eyes followed the upward direction Of the
blaze. There, through the thick smoke, she
could plainly sec hanging in the chimney q
dark form, which appeared TO be strug-
! Cling, as II trying to extricate itself.
! Wild with terror, and guided now only
| by impulse, she tlew out Of the house
reached the wood shed, and grssping the
horn shc blew such loud, frantic notes that
| they must have been heard for miles in
the still, clear air. Then she started 10 run
down the road, but every thing swan be
fore her, her knees sank under her, and the
next moment she know no more.
"Never mind; don't talk just now" John
was saying to her when she came to her
self. "l'll'tell you all about IT II you'll
promise TO lilo quite still and not ask any
questions, Santa Claus, alas the mob q
red man, couldn't resist the temptation Of
trying to come down our chimney when ev.
cry thing was so nicely fixed up for his re.
ceptlon, but be found it rather tight
squeeze ind got pretty well stpoth.
| cred by the smoke; but he
dropped down OF last, and Mrs. 0twood
end1 reached the house just in time 70
prevent 5 thorough roasting. He was very
| well done OH me side, and just ready to