, 1888-09-08

his habits.
Joseph slept in the house, and for that
reason it seemed TO me quite unnecessary
that Harry Randall should be there also.
When the clock struck 10mother 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 l 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 1
knew the time had passed. 1 laid down
my work and counted the strokes with
out looking at the clock itself.
Twas sitting at a little center table
near the lamp. At my left, a little off
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 put the pelting storm outside.
Directly opposite was the hall door, stand
ing, as usual, wide open.
Just then l heard, or fancied / heard, a
low sigh or breath in the hall. 1 turned
my head instantly. but did not see any
person, and, listening i%ntently, heard no
further sound. I felt a little uneasy and
smiled to myself at my nervousness, then
took up my work again. 1 had not fin
ished what had set myself to do.
had not taken three stitches when 1
laid the work down again. There was no
use denying it or laughing at myself. For
some reason there suddenly came over
me a strong feeling of and
dread. 1t seemed as If 1 had realized, as
l 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 q large sum of money in my pocket.
1 glanced at the desk. Possibly Harry
was still at work at the office. Ifhe was,
n single sentence over h wire would call
him.
L 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 I knew it came
from the threshold of the hall door, q low
hoarse voice that | knew, without seeing
the speaker, must be hat of a desperate
and wicked man broke the stiffness and
babe me Good evening"
For q moment, as l say, l felt as
though l had been turned to stone. Then
the voice, speaking again, seemed at least
to restore the life in me and to set my
heart to beating violently.
The language that the man used was
not even as good English as, in attempt
ing to reproduce, l find myself writing.
Don't be frightened. miss. l beg of
you not to be frightened. All ye've got
ter do is ter keep still an not a hair of
your pretty head shall be harmed"
Then turned my head, half wheeling
my chair at the same time, and saw in
the doorway q tall, brutal looking man,
altogether as i'll conditioned and fearful
looking a person as | have ever seen.
Naturally enough. l opened my lips to
utter a little cry. but he stopped me by a
single threatening motion of a club he car
ried in his hand.
'S-h," he fercely Kissed. 'If We raise
n single scream III strike yo as ,senseless
as yer mother is upstairs"
The last words changed for the mo.
ment the nature of my fear, and gave me
strength to speak.
What have you done to my mother?" I
demanded, excitedly. 'Do you mean
have you killed her."
He uttered q sort of low laugh.
mo, my dear; she was waking up, SO
we had ter use chloroform. An you must
keep still or you'll be served in the same
way. You see, it's just here
He drew a step nearer, and seemed dis
posed to explain matters.
what we want is some money which
your father brought down from Palmer
yesterday. Maybe yer don't know he left
it in the house when he went off tonight.
My friend is upstairs lookin' for it this
minute. All we want is money. We
don't mean to harm nobody. Ye shan't
be touched if ye behave yerself and keep
quiet"
Somewhat assured by this, and having
had timo while he was speaking to collect
myself, l was now able to assume at least
an appearance of calmness.
took up my embroidery and went on
working, or pretending to work, at the
pattern | was embroidering. l think the
action helped me, too, for l presently
found myself quite calm, and with a cool
ness and resolution that l can hardly be-
lieve in now, as l recall it, turning over
in my mind what l ought to do.
What would these two men do when
they found, as they would soon find, that
the money was not up stairs? They would
be disappointed and desperate-capable,
perhaps, of deeds that they had not at
first intended.
Perhaps l had better give up the money
at once, and so get rid of them. And yet
father had confided it to my care, and it
did not belong to him, but to the com
pany. l ought not to give it to these
men If l could help it. Oh. why could l
not give an alarm in some way? What if
l should open my mouth and cry out at
any riskf Could I make Joseph hear away
out in the wing of the house as he VAST
Alasl knew that 1 could not, aver had
not this man been sitting there by the
door-he had taken n chair now-eying
me fercely, as though he read my
thoughts. Aht If l had only done as
father had wished and t~elegraphed for
Harry Randall to come up And then
with this last thought another thought
came to me. Why could l not summon
Harry even now, If. perchance, he was
still at the object
arose from my chair, mechanically
grasping my work in my hand. My guard
got up also, evidently suspicious of my