Evening journal., 1890-02-04
MY F00TST00L.

Think ehey look wen, little womanl'' he
asked.
Y think they do, indeed = answered. in
unqualified admiration, for Ted was .. cajiital
workman. and had mended thepretty ffinlsets
very skilifully. Il am sure Mr. Bailey win be
pleased. The owner herself would be puzzled
to detect whore she damaged them.n
Ted smiled; then as he did not intend to
take them back to the shop until the return
Of bis employer, which would not be till the
morrow, he deposited both the jeweled brace
lets ia his customary .'non-burglar proof
safe as he iosipgly called a small, strong,
square box which he had fitted with lock and
key, padded inside and out, and covered with
chinie TO match our sofa He made use of
this as footstool, saying that evil disposed
persons would be the less likely to examine it,
and many jest he had about placing gems
under my feet, and about me being a small
person with a high mind, for / set my foot
upon gold, and the like nonsense. Dear old
Tell He was so clever at his trade, and so
trustworthy that he always had more work
than be could get through. He 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 neces,itated by our hum
Bile MENACE; 50 he and l logged along very
peaceably. We lodged in two rooms in a
quiet street on the outskirts Of Bridgepool.
Our lnndlady was kindly old body who had
known our 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 busy setting to rights, and pre-
pared TO 20 to the shop in Bridgepool which
4
ting 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 l was generally active
enough, considering my infirmity, one of my
bad spells was now on me, when, as he knew,
found moving about pain and difficulty
for some days. Il happened, too, that Mrs.
Brown, our landlady, had gone out for the
| day--a very rare occurrence.
~ don't half like your being left alone 50
| long, for may not be back before o, said
Ted, eying me obviously cousin Milly
would come around if l asked her."
Eyes, and bring her baby who would hin
der my work sadly. / don't like babies when
I'm busy Go away, Ted you dear old fell
lowl Don't bother about mel shall be all
right"
"Well, by-by, little woman, " he said. stoop-
ing TO kiss me; "I'll be home as soon as !
can. And, Bessie he added, pausing in the
doorway, "be sure you don't touch the win
dow today. The sash line snapped this morn.
ing must send a carpenter TO see it, You
will rememberW
/ promised that / would, and my brother
! departed heard him 90 down stairs and
shut the street door, At first the unusual
quiet Of the house was rather depressing
but / soon became too much engrossed in
sewing to pay attention to that, and stitched
away busily at some things | was completing
for lady who was kind enough TO praise my
ueedlework, preferring it, as many Others
did, to machine stitched articles
Presently l thought l heard a slight
noise down stairs, like the opening Of a win
dow, but as all remained quiet afterward,
put it down to my imagination, and went on
TRANQUILITY with my work.
After some time ! was startled TO hear q
step, stealthy, but distinctly audible, on the
landing outside, while under the door ap
peared the shadow Of some one moving.
Perhaps Mrs. Brown has returned, was
the thought ia my mind as | sat gazing at
the door: but then / turned cold with fear
for the handle was turned softly, and d
strange man looked ina young man, will
1 n lttAANf t-ttnrff AtfhliiE AaCtf "
a thievish looking twist Of hair on each side
while limp cap Of semi-military cut wa!
stuck raSishly on the side Of his head
I noticed these details mechanically as
sat petrified with surprise and fright, and
also noticed that his long, dirty neck was
without tie or collar, a shabby frock coat be
ing buttoned up 70 his chin, and that hi
dirtier hands sported more than one ring.
This individual, after darting a swif
glance round the room, slipped in and locked
the door, saying:
"Slickl Popsy-wopsy, don't be frightened
I'm not going to hurt you-not a bit Of it
But, you see Stop thatw he growled
for, as he approached me, recovered myself
little and gave a good loud scream.
Quick as thought he had his hand over my
mouth, holding my chin and nose in such I
manner that was nearly suffocated; then b.
gave me a shake, saying:
IF you do that again III pay you out, you
little fool There-she is going to be nicl
and quiet now, amt shel A picter Of gooC
behavior, calls herln
Talking thus, he gagged me dexterously
with sonic Of my work, which, however, wa
pleasauter than his hand-ugh that griml
handl-on my mouth, and then, producing
some cord from his pocket, IN a minute o.
Two was-poor little feeble thingl-boun,
hand and foot in my chair
lie grinned at me as he remarked:
"Now, you know, ducky. | wouldn't hav
served you so if you'd had the sense to keel
quiet. / never could abear to borough to tn
ladies-neverl But time is short, and yoi
might have been hard to persuadei 50, per
hars, it's the best way after all
| While speaking thus the ujppant rasca
kept running his eyes nI0and our neat littl
room. ! read dislchin IN bis glance, and a
that moment a suspicion darted into M
nsind that he had come with the object .
stealing some Of Ted's worS--perbaps III
ieweled brscelets which then were un6er m
feet. VITA this thought there came 70 me
firm resolve to save my brother such a loss
I possibly could; ay, oven thoogh ! had
endure torture. l would not speak. / set M
teesh hard and watched the man. Ills war
dcring Chances soon reverted to me.
, Look here, dear, if loosen this cloth
, bit and you take breath, viii you speak to "a
nicelyf Only don't scream again. 1t make
, me quite nervous 70 hear you scream an
! can't do you no good" How weR l knee
that, IN a back room in quiet street, ''TherS
aan't it much more comfortable f'-loosenia