Wichita eagle., 1890-02-05
MY FOOTSTOOI.

provlngly before placing them IN their Softi.
padded case.
Think they look well, little womang" b.
asked.
II think they do, indeed" answered, II
unqualified admiration, for Ted was a capital
workman, and had nended the pretty trinkets
very skillfully. II am sure Mr. Bailey will be
pleased. The owner herself would be puzzled
to detect where she damaged them"
Ted smiled; then as he did not intend to
take them back to the shop until the return
Of his employer, which would not be till the
morrow, he deposited both the jeweled brace
lets IN his customary "nOn-burglar proof
safe" as he jokingly called a small, strong,
square box which he had fitted with lock and
key, padded inside and out, and covered with
chintz 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 NE being a small
person with high mind, for l set my foot
upon gold, and the like nonsense Dear old
Ted He was so clever at his trade, and 50
trustworthy, that be always had more work
than he could get through. He was very
fond of me-his poor little crippled sister
needle, and shared with me ia every possible
way the little duties necessitated by our hum
bic menage; 80 ne and l logged along very
peaceably. We lodged in two rooms in a
quiet street ON the outskirts of Bridgepool
Our landlady 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 go to the shop in Bridgepool which
usually employed him. l watched him put
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. 1t happened, too, that Mrs.
Brown, our landlady, had gone out for the
day-a very rare occurrence.
81 don't half like your being left alone so
long, for may not be back before s." said
Ted, eying me obviously. "Cousin Mily
would come around if | asked her."
"Yes, and bring her baby, who would hin
der my work sadly. l don't like babies when
Pm busy. Go away, Ted, you dear old fell
lowi Don't bother about mel shall be all
right"
"Wel, by-by, little woman, he said. stoop-
ing to kiss me; ''I1l be home as soon as l
can And, Bessie he added, pausing in the
doorway, ''be SIRE you don't touch the win
dow today. The sash line snapped this morn
ing. must send q carpenter to see it. You
will remembers'
promised that would, and my brother
departed. heard him go down stairs and
shut the street door. At first the unusual
quiet Of the house was rather depressing;
but l soon became too much engrossed in
sewing to pay attention to that, and stitched
away busily at some things was completing
for a lady who was lind enough to praise my
preferring it, as many others
did, to machine stitched articles.
Presently l thought | heard slight
noise down stairs like the opening of WIN
dow, but as all remained quiet afterward,
put it down to my imagination, and went on
with my work
After some time l was startled to hear a
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 in my mind as | sat gazing at
the door; but then j turned cold with fear,
for the handle was turned softly, and
strange man looked in-a young man, with
a paliid, greasy, leering face, ornamented by
a thievish looking twist of hair On each side,
while limp cap Of semi-military cut was
stuck rakishly on the side of his head
| noticed these details mechanically as l
sat petrified with surprise and fright, and l
also noticed that his long, dirty neck was
without tie or collar, a shabby frock coat be-
ing buttoned up to his chin, and that his
dirtier hands sported more than one ring
This individual, after ds,rting swift
glance round the room. slipped in and locked
the door, saying:
slick! Popsy- wopsy, don't be frightened!
I'm not going to hurt you-not bit of it
But, you see Stop thatn he growled;
for, as he approached me, l recovered myself
a little and gave good loud scream.
Quick as thought he had his hand over my
mouth, holding my chin and nose in such Q
manner that was nearly suTocated; then be
gave me- shake, saying:
IF you do that again I'll pay YOU out. YOU
little fooll There-she is going to be nice
and quiet now, amt shes A picter of good
calls herr
Talking thus, he gagged me dexterousiy
with some of my work, which, however, was
pleasanter than his hsnd-ugh, that grimy
handl-on my mouth, and then, producing
some cord from his pocket, in q minute or
two waS-poor little feeble thing bound
hand and foot in my chair.
He grinned ut me as he remarked:
Now, you know, ducky, | wouldn't have
served you so if you'd had the sense TO keep
quiet. l never could abear to be rough to the
adies-neveri But time Is short, and you
might have been hard to persuade; so, per
napS, its the best way after all y
While speaking thus the fjppant rascal |
kept running his eyes around our neat little
room. l read disdain in his glance, and at |
that moment suspicion darted into nv |
mind that he had come with the object of |
stealing some of Ted's work-perhaps the |
leweled bracelets which then were under my |
feet. With this thought there came to me a |
firm resolve 10 save my brother s,,cn loss if |
possibly could; ay, even though l had to |
endure torture, l would not speak | set my |
teeth hard and watched the man His wan |
tering glances soon reverted to me-
Look here, dear. if loosen this cloth a |
oit and you take breath, will you speak to me |
nicelyi Only don't scream again. II makes |
NE quite nervous to hear you scream and |
can't do you no good How well | knev |
hat. in 4 back room in quiet street. There
amt il much more Hfortahler'-loosening
he '.oth. Tell me non. pcpsy. your broth.
RS got some vailybles here. amt her
l shook my head
On, but ne has, so you needn't jog your
'odcie ike that. Better tell me where he's
'ut them. II viii save los of time and be |
more pleasant for you"
But only shook my head the more.
Did you ever see sch stubbo1nnessr NUT