Wichita eagle., 1888-09-11

seemed to have been expected from tine
other letters. / noticed disturbed ex-
preston upon his face as he read it, and
was more anxious than surprised when he
arose and went to the hall door and
called to the girl who was in the dining
room.
Mary" said he, tell Joseph to harness
Prince at once; must get to the junction
in time for the 9 o'clock express. He'll
have to finish his supper when he gets
back"
Then he turned and said that the letter
contained intelligence that made it neces-
sary that he should go to New York that
night.
OF course, as the wife and daughter of
business man. we knew what he meant,
and that there was not word of remon-
STRANGE to be said. So mother went to
make for him what preparation was need
full, and should have followed her a
moment later, but father called me back.
Christie" he said. soberly, II am
going to tell you something that no one
knows anything about save Harry Ran
dali. l have quite large sum of money
over 81, 00O-in my pocket" He touched
his breast with his finger. II never keep
large amounts of money by me, but in
this case it is unavoidable, and thought
l should feel less anxious to have it with
me than to allow it to remain In the safe
at the Office. cannot, of course, take it
to New York. want you to take charge
of it till to morrow morning, and then take
it to Randall for him to deposit in the
bank. Don't say anything to your mother
about it. She is 80 timid and nervous
that she would not sleep wink all night
if she knew so large a sum was in the
house. Do you understand"
With no slight feeling Of responsibility
l took the leathern packet which he
handed me, and placed it in the pocket Of
my dress.
Father went on: Perhaps you had bet
ter put it under your pillow; of course it
is fire that l am most anxious about.
There Is no danger of the money in any
other way. Not q soul knows about it,"
Then he went to the hall and came very
Unexpectedly upon Joseph, for l heard
him speak somewhat sharply to him be-
cause he had not gone to the stable, and
declaring that his business was of more
Importance than his supper. l heard
Joseph mutter something about taking
time to finish his meal
Ten minutes later, as father was going
down the steps to get into the carriage,
he turned back to me, and holding his
umbrella SO mother could not hear, he
whispered:
1--WE been thinking, Christie, that
young Randall had better come and sleep
at the house. I shall feel easier about
you. He is to be there at work tonight
until very late"
Then he stepped into the buggy, and
they drove away into the darkness and
rain
did not send message to Harry, how
ever. Indeed, / laughed little as 1
thought of fathers anxiety. He was al
most as timid as mother, after all.
was of rather easy. careless DISPOSE
ton, and really had not particle Of fear
of having money in my keeping. And as
we two sat there in the library for long
time after this. mother DOING in the big
chair, and intent upon some fancy work
which was anxious to finish in time for
a friends birthday, I forgot altogether
the package Of money that lay at the
bottom of my dress pocket
Joseph did not get back until after 10
o'clock, although 1t was only three miles
to the junction, and he should have been
home long before that hour. --
We thought little of that, however
He had been with us several years. and I
learned that ne mad been recently ieG MO
bad company, and that father had several
times had angry words with him about
his habits
Joseph slept in the house, and for that
reason it seemed to me quite unnecessary
that Harry Randall should bethere also.
When the clock struck 10 mother arose,
declaring it was time to go to bed. She
went into all the lower rooms to see that
the windows were fastened, then came
back to the library for me.
But I did not feel sleepy, and wanted
very much to 60 on with my work. SO l
begged her to go upstairs without me,
promising to come up In the course of an
hour.
The clock struck II almost before I
knew the time had passed. l laid down
my work and counted the strokes with
out looking at the clock itself.
Twas sitting at little center table
near the lamp. At my left, little of
against the wall, was fathers desk, with
books and papers scattered upon it and
the battery at one end.
Opposite me were two long windows
that opened upon the side piazza. Over
these were thick curtains, closely drawn,
which shut out the pelting storm outside.
Directly opposite was the hall door, stand
ing, as usual, wide open.
Just then | heard, or fancied l heard, q
low sigh or breath in the hall. / turned
my head instantly, but did not see any
person, and, listening intently, heard no
further sound. l felt little uneasy and
smiled to myself at my nervousness, then
took up my work again. / had not fin
ished what had set myself to do.
had not taken three stitches when I
laid the work down again. There was no
use denying it or laughing at myself. For
some reason there suddenly came over
me strong feeling of nervousness and
dread. 1t seemed as if had realized, as
had not done before that evening. the
fact that | was sitting all alone down
stairs in the house, at IL o'clock at night,
with large sum oe money in my pocket.
glanced at the desk. Possibly Harry
was still at work at the office. Ifhe was.
a single sentence over the wire would call
him.
was just getting up to go to the desk
to signal and see if he was at the mill
when something occurred to me that
seemed to turn me cold and motionless
as stone in an instant.
Behind me. so close that knew it came
from the threshold of the hall door, low
hoarse voice that knew, without seeing
the speaker, must be that of a desperate
and wicked man broke the stiffness and
babe me GOOD evening"
For moment, as l say, / felt as
though had been turned to stone. Then
I he voice. speaking again. seemed at least