Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-07-15
MY FOOTSTOOL.

polish. and then viewed the valuable
articles approyingly before placing them
in their soitly-padded case.
Think they look well, little woman%'
he asked.
Il think they do indeed, y | answered,
in unqualified admiration, for Ted was
n capital workman, and had mepded the
pretty trinkets very skillfully. Il am
sure Mr.. Bailey will be pleased. The
owner herself would be puzzled TO de
tect where she damaged them.
Ted smiled; then, rs he did not IN
tend to take them back to the shop until
the return of his employer, which would
not be till the morrow, he deposited
both the iewelled bracelets in his Gus
tomary 'non-burglar-proof safe, as he
iokingly called small strong square
box which he had fitted with lock and
KEY, padded inside and ont, and covered
with chntz to match our sofa. He
made me use this rs a footstoOl, saying
that evil-dispOsed persons would be the
less likely to examine it; and many
lest he had about his placing gems
under my feet, and about my being
small person with q high mind. for | set
my foot upon gold, and the like non
sense. Dear old Ted! He was so clever
at his trade, and so trustworthy, that he
always had more work than he could
ret through. lie was very fond of me-
his poor little crippled sister would
never allow me TO sit too long at my
needle. and shared with me in every
possible way the little duties necessitatcd
bv our humble mcHage; so he and |
jagged along very peaceably- We
lodged i'm two rooms in quiet street on
the outskirts of Bridgeport. Our land-
lady was q kindly old body who had
known or parents long before either
Ted or found ourselves on this worlds
stage
Having put away the bracelets safely,
my brother next packed up three or four
watches he had been Setting 20 rights,
ana prepared TO 90 to the shop in
Bridgcpool which usually employed him.
| watched him putting on his overcoat,
for the day was very cold; but he
seemed slow in his movements, and
thought he was reluctant to leave me
alone; for, though | was generally active
enough, considering my niirmitN one
of my bad spells was now ON me- when,
as he knew, | found moving about
pain and u difficulty for some days. 1t
happened too that Mrs. Brown-our
landlady had gone out for the day-a
very rare occurrence.
Can do anything else for yoH be-
fore | go, Inc asked.
no Ted dear, thank You.
Make sure; look round and see if
everything is put handy for YOU, said
my brother, placing my clutch a little
nearer
'Evcrything." l replied cheerfully.
And I've such Il lot of work to gel
through, shall find the afternoon
short
Il don't half like your being left
alone 50 long: for / may not be back
before tive, said Ted. eycing me dubi-
ously, Cousin Milly would come
round if asked her"
Eyes, and bring her baby, who would
hinder my work sadly. ! don't like
babies when I'm busy. 60 away, Ted,
YOU dear old fellow! Don't bother
about me; ! shall be all right
"Weil, byo-bye, little woman he
said. stopping to kiss me: IN be home
as soon rs | can. And, Bessie, he
added, pau,ing in the doorway, "be
sure YOU don't touch the window to-day
The sash-line snapped this morning; |
must send a carpenter TO see to il. You
| will remember?
| promised that ! would. and my
brother departed. / heard him go
| downstairs and shut the street door.
At first the unusual quiet OF the house
was rather depressing; but ] soon be-
came too much cngrossed in sewing to
pay attention to that, and stitched away
I busily at some things ! was completing
for a lady who was kind enough TO
praise my ncedlework. prcterring it, rs
many others did, TO machine-stitched
article. Presently | thought heard "a
| slight noise downstairs. Ike the open
ing of Il wi2dow; but, rs all remained
quiet afterwards, | put i down to my
imagination. and went on TRANQUILITY
I with my work. After some time | was
I startled to hear step, stealthy, hut els
I tinetly audible, ON the landing outside.
| wh Ic under the door appeared the
I shadow of some one moving.
"Perhaps Mrs. Brown has returned,
was the thought I'm my mind ais ! sat
gazing at the door; but then i turned
cold with fear tortae handle was turned
softly, and a strange man looked in--a
/ Young man with paIlfl greasy 'eyr-
ing face, uWam nteJ bF 20 th Tish-
I looking twist OF hair ON each side. while
/ q iN@ cap of -amI-mltary r1t was
stuck raki,hy ON tile side of his head.
I I noticed these detail, mechanically as