The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-12-24


for her dear ones. Ere hightfaH, from
the rude ceiling overhead depended
graceful .estooDs of evergreen the sill
very frost work of the windows had a
worthy emerald setting, and the spa
ciOus Fireplace flied with golden ligh5
and warmth was surrounded by rich
mass of green in short. the humble lit
tie dwelling had been completely trans
formed by the magic hands of love, and
this same tonch had fairly transfguTed
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 to be
done. Each stocking Willie's, Hen
ry's, yes, Johns, and her own as we'll
all hung around the chimney, which
was surely ample enough to admit the
burly form of Kris Kringle himself, if
he still kept up his old custom. And
now 1t was time 10 prepare for the
night. AS she drew the plain white
curtains together she found, to her sur
prise, that each window was nailed fast.
and she knew that this was the work
OF dear, thoughtful John before he went
away. Why had he been so worried
about her, she wondered. There was
nothing to fear, she tried97to reassure
herself, as she went to the outside doors
and drew the bolts; nevertheless, with
candle in hand she searched thoroughly
each room, not neglecting to lift the
bed-yalance, and investigate the proven
blal hIding-place OF thieves and villains.
! Then she put the candle out and crept
softly into bed. Many times she had
stayed alone thus without shadow of
fear-why should she care now? she
, asked herself again and again, and try
ing to believe that she was only nery-
Gus from fatigue she at last dropped
into a slumber.
How long had she slept? She could
not tell, but she had awakened with a
start, and was sitting up il bed in half
| conscious state. She could not tell
what had reused her, but she thought
1t must have been the striking of the
clock, for it was just telling the hour
Of twelve with startling dlstinctress
yet there she sat motionIess long after
the last stroke died away in the oppres-
sive stiffness. The moonlight was shin
ing through the curtains, casting an
uncertain light over each object in the
TCOm. It seemed as if some mysterious
presence had startled her. She listened
with painful interest, her gaze fixed on
the window opposite, and, as she looked
the dark outline of the easement seemed
to move upward. No, it could not be.
1t must have been caused by the strong
wind that was blowing; yet. surely the
wind could not move it 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 to her re-
garding the danger signal flashed thro'
her mind. She spTaDg out of bed in an
instant. but the next moment. to her
dismay, she remembered that she had
neglected TO bring the dinner horn into
the house, and that it was then living in
ITS accustomed place in the woodshed. -
She would not venture ont there for a
kingdom. All her courage seemed to
leave her. NoiselessIv she went to the
window to ascertain to a certainty that
II was secure, aud az she examined eacE,
one IN turn, she could distinctly hear
footsteps on the cracking snow, follow
lbg her. and trying each window. Then
the steps seemed to retreat and a few
moments later she heard the door-Iatch
softly lifted, but she. knew she had moth
ing to fear from that direction. and
taking advantage of the moment she
tlmIdly raised a corner of the curtain
and looked out. Her fears were all too
plainly verified, for there in the bright
moonlight was the unmistakable figure
of great, brawny Indian. She could
clearly distinguish his swarthy features,
and, as his blanket swayed to and fro in
the wind she thought she detected a
cleaning knife in his belt.
She hastily dropped the curtain and
once more listened with breathIess apx-
iety. For a time all was still. then she
beard strange, rustlInq sound, and the
next thing she realized was that a heavy
body was creeping along the roof. Great
heaven what was the creature going to
do A noise near the chimney seemed
to be her answer. Already he was COM
ing down there, and taking in the situa-
tlon at glance, the courage and strength
OF desperation came TO her To rusb in
to the room, drag out the straw bed and
fling it on the dying emSers was the
work of scarcely an instant. Then her
eyes invOluntarily followed the-upward
direction of the blaze, and there. thro'
the thick smoke, she could plainly see
hanging In the chimney a GArk form.
which appeared to be struggling az if to
extricate itself.
Wild with terror, and guided now by
impulse only, she flew out of the house.
reached the wood shed and grasping the
horn she blew such loud, frantic notes
that they must have been heard for
miles in the still, clear air. Then she
started to run down the road, but everv
thing swan before her, her knees sank
under her, aud she knew no more.
Never mind don't talk now" John
was saying to her when she came to her.
self. ''I'll tell you all about it if vou,u
promise tn lie uuita Of i'll apd ,ot oeI- -