St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-08-10

ut once examined the ground b.
meath the window. and was this time
able to track the intruder.
/ followed the trail only . short dis
tance when it was lost, and was un-
able to find 1t again.
I'm secure the window so that no
one will be able to enter" declared
Irene. when she learned that the out
law had come from the hills and
climbed the tree beside the old house.
do nothing of tho kind, MISS" I
urged. He may come again. l will
watch, and rest assured will see that
no harm comes TO yOn; in fact. you
might occupy another room for the
present"
This last plan was agreed upon. and
for a time l occupied Miss Grandis'
room. A week passed with no reward
for my vigils. aud began to think we
should have no more visits from the
strange night-prowler. when. one
pleasant night when the moon rode
high in clear heavens. the crisis came.
On no night did remove my cloth
ing. but lay on the outside Of the COW
cring. anxiously waiting for a denouc-
merit.
had fallen into a dreamlcss slum-
Der on the night in question when !
was aroused by a touch on my check.
did not move. but gazcd upward into
the face of bearded man. over whose
the face the moonlight streamcd. To
say that l was startled would only
fcebly convey my feelings, for l was
completely at the mercy Of the intruder
should he make an attempt upon my
life.
Twas in the shadow, and he did not
seem to understand the situation.
''Sce, Irene. have brought back the
image that you have shed SO many
tears over. / only took it for a little
while; it's bright figure brought back
the old days"
Then the man laughed. and turning,
placed the image on the bureau.
l gathered myself now for spring.
determined not to permit the fellow to
escape. He seemed fumbling with
something on the bureau. then giving
way to another chuckle. he turned
away. His look was now toward me.
/ bounded forward full upon him,
planting my knee in the small OF his
back; with quick, sharp jerk l
brought him to the floor with
tremendous force. He was stunned
by the fall. and l had to difficulty in
securing him with the cord had pre-
pared for the purpose.
Then l lit the lamp and lifted him
to sitting posture, rs groan in
formed me of returning consciousness.
He opened his eyes and stared ut me
in a bcwildered way.
BLESS my eyes! What docs this
mean? Where am I?c cried the man.
a handsome fellow, in spite of the fact
that rough beard covered his face.
You're safe for the present my
man, i returned.
He still looked bewildered.. and
glanced at his bonds in comical way
that assured me he was not sham ming.
Zine room. Dcuced pretty place. "
just then the door opened. The
sound of the struggle had brought
Irene to the room. She stood in the
doorway with flushed checks and
streaming hair, aud a more beautiful
picture had never seen.
You have caught the robbcr?"
Yes
MY God! II is Irener'
The man on the floor held up his
hands and made u desperate effort to
gain his feet He was helped. how
ever. Then he cried out in an excited
voice:
Don't you know me. Irene? 1t is
Frank, your brother"
Miss Grandis stared, then rceled
across the floor and sank fainting on
the neck of my prisoner.
Afterward it was all explained.
Frank Grandis had been shipwrccked
and come near losing his life. He was
cast among cannibals, became men,
Der of the tribe, and saw no white men
for years.
He was finally rescued and came to
America TO learn that his family had
gone West, but where no one seemed
to know. 1: was while camping with
a party of hunters in the ncighbOr-
hood OF the stone house that he visited
il.
81 had such beautiful dreams of
finding you. Irene"
He had visited tho house In his
sleep, and taken the idol, secrcting it.
the photo and stolen curl, so that he
knew nothing about the affair in his
waking moments.
The burglar was sOmnambulist.
Great was the happiness that fol-
lowed the strange denOuement. Frank
had money. and was handsomely re-
wardcd for my part in the uncarthing
of the thief. l think if l had not been
a benedict should have fallen in love
with Irene. The outcome was more
pleasant than l had anticipatcd.-J.
NJ. Merrill. in Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Imagination in Disease.