The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-02


person with a high mind, FOR set my foot
upon gold, and the like nonsense. Dear OLD
Tedl He was 50 clever at his trade, and s.
Trustworthy, that be always had more WORK
than he could get through. He was very
fond Of me-his poor little crippled sister
would never allow me 10 sit too long at my
needle, and shared with me in every possible
way the little duties necessitated by our hum
bic menage; 50 be and logged along very
peaceably. We lodged In two rooms in d
quiet street on the outskirts Of Bridgeport
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
be had been busy setting TO rights, and pre-
pared 10 60 10 the shop in Bridgepool which
usually employed him. watched him put
ting on his oyercoat, for the day was very
cold; but he seemed slow in his movements,
and / thought he was reluctant 10 leave me
alone, for though | was generally active
enough, considering my inhrmity, one Of my
bad spells was now on me, when, as he knew,
found moving about a pain and a difficulty
for some days. IL happened, too, that Mrs.
Brown, our landlady, had gone out for the
day-a very rare occurrence.
Il don't half like your being left alone 50
long, for may not be back before 8, said
Ted, eying me obviously. cousin Milly
would come around if l asked her."
"Yes, 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 fel-
low Don't bother about mo- shall be all
right"
"Wen, by-by, little woman, he said. stoop-
ing 70 kiss me; "Ill 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 70 see it. You
sill rememberF
promised that ! would, and my brother
departed heard him 60 down stairs and
shut the street door. Al first the unusual
quiet Of the house was rather depressing
but / soon became too much engrossed in
sewing 10 pay attention 10 that, and stitched
away busily at some things was completing
Tor "a lady who was kind enough to praise my
ncedlework. preferring it, as many others
did. % machine stitched articles.
Presently / thought l heard a slight
noise down stairs, ike the opening Of win
dow, but as all remained quiet afterward, /
put it down % my Imagination, and went on
TRANQUILITY with my work.
After some time was startled 10 hear o
step, steaithy, but distinctly audible, on the
landing outside, while under tho door ap-
Daaed tho shadow Of some one moving.
Perhaps Mrs Brown has returned" was
the thought In my mind as | SAT gazing az
the door; but then ! turned cold with fear
for the handle was turned softly, and a
strange man looked ina young man, with
palhd. greasy, leering face, ornamented by
a thievish looking twist Of hair on each side,
while a limp cap Of semi-miiitary cut was
stuck rakishly on the side OF his head.
noticed these details mechanically as /
sat petrifed 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 TO his chin, and that his
dirter bands sportej more than one ring.
This individual, after darting a swift
glance round the room, slipped IN and locked
the door, saying:
"Slickl Fofsy-wopsy, don't be frightened
I'm not going 10 hurt you-not a bit Of ~
But. sou see Stop thatW be gro~ledi
for. as he approached me- ! recovered myself
a little and gave a good loud scream.
Quick as thought be had his hand over my
mouth, holding my chin and nose IN such a
manner that was nearly suifocated; then he
gave me a shake, saying:
III YOU do that again III pay you out, you
little fooll There-she is going to be nice
and quiet now, amt shel a picter Of good
behavior, calls herT
Talking thus, he gagged me dexterously
with some Of my work. Which, however, was
pleasanter than his hand-ugh, that gfImy
handl-on my mouth, and then, producing
some cord from his pocket, in minute or
two was-poor little feeble thingl-bound
hand and foot in my chair
lie grinne4 at me as he remarked:
"Now, you know, ducky, wouldn't have
served you 30 Il you'd had tho sense 10 keep
quiet. never could abear 10 be rough 70 the
ladios-ueyerl But time Is short, and you
might have been hard to persuaded 50, per
haps, its the best way after all"
While speaking thus the hippant rascal
kept running bis eyes around our neat little
room. read disdain in his glance, and at
that moment q suspicion darted into my
mind that he had come with the object Of
stealing some Of Teds work-perhaps the
jeweled bracelets which then were under my
feet With this thought there came 10 me q
firm resolve 70 save my brother such loss II
/ possibly could, ay, even though ! had 10
endure torture. / would not speak. set my
teeth hard and watched the man. His wan
dering clances soon reverted 70 me.
'Iook here, dear. il l loosen this cloth
bit and YOU take breath, viii you speak to me
nicelvl Only don't scream again. Ii makes
me quite nervous TO hear you scream and
can't do YOU no good" How well l knew
that. in back room in quiet street There,
sin IL much more comfortable -soeHsnlng
And wouldn't walk down t. the boat With
h..n. although | knew he was longing u ask
me ID 10 &C. I dilnt even 90 with him u
The door. and when he kissed me good-by
lust lei him 10 it and stood like dumb block
while be walked out NJ the honse-oh, Nancy
- slowly and unwillinglY II wasn't oit
Ike his step ] didn't stir 20 60 10 the win
dow. where had always stood every morn
ing 10 kiss my hand 20 him when he went
down TO the office But watched him from
away back in tho room whore be couldn't Sc
me. and saw him 20 down she path and stop
under the houeysucklo at the gate 10 look up
40 the window, When be didn't see me hi
face turned absolutely dark-the most awful
.hlngl and be rushed of down the street with
never a glance behind him. That was our
first parting We parted under a thunder
cloud. Nancy have lived in the heart OF
It ever since II YOU had not come think /
must have gone crazy, thinking and living 1t
All over"
Ny sympathy Quoted her somewhat,
hope, but am afraid the battered platitudes,
1f which. as is the case with most younglings
IF inexperience, l had great store, wrought
more specifically. Pausing for breath and
/ reply, at length, discovered tin she was
lsleep.
Chilled and chagrined, | laid her from my
.rils upon her own pillow. Something slid
rom her lax hand IL was her husbands
glass and setting warmed by her
passionate holding. ! thrust IL impatiently
inder her pillow. The cut was not danger
,us, | reflected, with judicial fatuousness,
when the patient could slumber under the