Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-08-26
again. perilously near. sometimes, to
the loaded rifle.

again. perilously near. sometimes. to
the loaded rifle 0
1t was midnight before she slept at
all, but then her sleep was profound.
1t was broken at last by the strangest
and most thrilling of sounds, no less
startling than a heavy fall aud loud.
harsh, reverberating report, as though
a cannon had been fired almost Mt her
ear.
No woman is ever too frightened to
scream, and Mrs. Jameson's shrieks
were loud and shrill, as she covered
among the bedclothes; and n scramb-
ling in the darkness, and muttered
words which she could not understand.
did not tend to calm her.
There was rush of feet in the hall
without; a stout shoulder sent the door
inward with crash, and Dick Leyoe.
who had made this unceremonious en-
trance stood there, with a light hirh
above his head, his keen ewes scanning
the apartment swiftly.
1t took him moment to comprehend.
and then he laughed with unreasonable
amusement
The miller, clad but lightly, was
sprawling on the floor, dazed wonder
in his face, the old rifle, which he had
struck as he fell, lying harmless beside
him. and now unloaded; window was
open, and through it came fine sheet
of rain, the old man was soaking wet.
and rain-drops glistened on his hair
and scanty garments; his bare feet were
muddy. and altogether he presented
Qnyfhino bilt blo -. .>,a,a,..
able appearance.
What has happened?" asked Dick,
as soon as his mrth could be sup
pressed, rs he aided the miller to his
feet
IL don't know" stammercd Jane
son.
His wife, hearing voices, cautiously
peeped out from under TIE eoverlet.
Robbers she cried shrilly. They
have been here again. Have they shot
you, Harvey?"
mo. wife, I'm not shot," said Har-
vey; can | don't think there's been
any robbers round. Fact is, I've been
sleep-walkin'."
WHAT
1--we been walkin' in my sleep, sure
as you liver groaned the miller "Pm
all wet, so l must have gone out of
doors. an the Lord only knows where |
have been or what Eve been dom. |
was dreamin' of that ten pounds
He broke of, ami hurried to the spot
in which he had hidden the money. 1t
was not there.
"You're rather old for such capers,
Harvey his wife was saying.
Rut bn Ii1pff hnor ho,. Na,,, Llo,,l-l,,
he turned to Dick, who had now re-
treated to the threshold where Jennie
was standing, white and startled, but
ravishingly pretty
Lad" the miller said solemnly, Il
believe I've robbed myself. I've heard
of such things. an now believe I've
done just that, anil hain't got notion
where put the money"
as it gomez"
Yes"
Then you had best put on dry
clothes, sir, while go out and try to
follow the tracks you have probably left
in the garden. Your feet are SO mud
dy, I'm sure you must have been there
I'll report in a few moments.
whispered sentence to Jennie at
the door, and Dick was off to don his
boots, and laugh ut the remembrance
of the miller's plight
With n lantern he went out into the
rain, and his gravity departed again as,
under the window of the miller's
chamber, he discovered deeply-indented
footprints, which proved that Jameson
had emerged like a school-boy.
The big bare feet left plain traces in
the soft soil of the garden. Dick fol-
lowed them on, across the road, and
found that they ceased ut one corner of
mill. A loose board had been freshly
replaced He drew it out, and there,
in the aperture, found small tin box.
Taking it out, he hurried back, to
find Jameson, his wife, and Jennie up
and dressed waiting for him.
The miller took the box eagerly, and
opened it with scarcely steady hands.
There were the ten pounds, and under
them the money of which he had
thought Dick had robbed him.
Lad" he said, turning to his en-
ploye, '1'ye been thinkn' i'll of you for
the last few days, an ask your par
don. If can ever do YOU gosd turn,
call on me-"
II take You at your word. sir. said
Dick cheerfully, going straight to Jen-
ME and taking her hand. Il want your
consent to my marrying Jennie some
day, when l have proved myself able to
take care of her. We love each other,
and hope, sir, you'll not forget what
love was to yourself once"
mo, don't, lad. said the miller,
with Il tender glance towards his wife.
"But millhand gets but poor wages.
an you'll have to wait while.
"As for that" said Dick. 81 think
you'll have TO look up another MILL
hand, Mr.. Jameson, for have another
offer, and intend taking ii. | wasn't
brought up to labor. and was at col
lege when my father died, leaving me.
instead of the thousands | expected,
nothing but my empty unframed hands.
left the college, and fate led me hth-
er. If | have shown no talent as
miller, have won the sweetest girl in
the world TO love me. Now friend of
my father offers me the post of book
keeper in his bank, at salary on
which Jennie and | can live. know. |
didn't take your money, sir, and I'll
forgive You for suspecting that | did if
you will give me Jennie.
what do you say, daughter?' asked
the old man wistfully.
81 love him, father" she whispered.
''Then III only say God bless you
both, 4" said the miller.
But his eyes were dim as he said it,
for Jennie was his only child.
One of the sweet girl graduates who