The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-02-11

turned. like Richard, himself again.
He would have eaten his dinner in
silence, but Elizabeth was fun of the
terrors of the neighborhood. An ugly
gypsy woman met the nursemaid, and
asked question respecting the age of
the children, and what other motive
could the lag have but to steal the
darlingsl Then a man with fearful
squint in one eye and an aggravating
lcer had called to know whether there
were any rags or bones to be disposed of.
Rags and bones indeedl" quoth
Elizabeth. The wretch wanted to ex-
anime the house to see the easiest way
to break into it, etc.
Finding that these items failed to
eurtllc her husbands blood, Mrs. Bile
ton marked back on an ever safe sub
ject, and returned to the attacl ON the
tradesmen of the neighborhood Never
wercsuch people to charge; she thought
that everything was cheap in the coun-
try, but had come to the conclusion
that London was the only place to
bring up family on moderate in
come.
''-Thc Goldfish you ordered arrived of
course too late for dinner" Elizabeth
wound up with, and weighs sixteen
pounds
''Good graciousr Henry interposed.
II told Eelcs not to send a fish weigh
ing more than eight"
when go shopping" Elizabeth
said, casting n whitening glance at her
spouse, Il take good care to see what
| am buying, and to ascertain the price.
No human being in his or her senses
would dream of giving nincpence
pound for Goldfish mt this time of year. -
''Ninepenee a poundl" Harry cried,
starting mp. mo, and will never pay
it. Ecles shall send for the fish toinor-
row. rll-rIl write letter to the To-
cal paper and ruin his business"
Elizabeth laughed sarcastically.
'Nonsensem said she; 1--WE must keep
the fish now and make the best of it.
Mary has hung it up in the harder,
So"--
There's an end of it," Bileton inter
rupted. Now, my love, if you don
mind. will enjoy II pipe and glass of
whiskey hot, and then make tracks for
Bedfordshire.
1t was the witching hour of night,
and Henry had long since taken berth
in the phantom ship which sails to
Sladowland, and was testing the har-
tnonic strength of his nasal organ to its
full extent, but Mrs Bileton was wide
awake and thinking.
Perhaps she had spoken unlSindly to
Henry, who certainly had his faults,
but was one of the best fellows in the
world. Had he not alluded to trip
to the west end of London, limiting at
the glories Of n certain furrier's estab-
lishment, some novel costumes for the
children, a new carpet for the drawing
room and What was that? 1t was
something that caused Mrs. Bileton to
start and SILVER as II the warm bed
clothes had suddenly changed to sheets
of ice. From below had come hollow
thud, followed by the crashing of glass.
For a moment speech failed the at
friglted lady; terror held her spell
bound and motionless. She expected
to hear the children scream and the
servants shrek; but nothing of the
kind occurred anil Henry snorcd peace
fully on.
"Hen-Hen-Henry," she contrived t.
pant, shaking him at the sane time by
the shoulder, there are men in the
housc!"
If" lie murnurcd drcamily, 1.-The
board refuse to put posts and chains
iround the pond its members are un-
worthy oi the name or
'Burglarsl burglarsl" screeched his
wife.
Il beg to deny that applied such
term to any community of gentlemen"
he went on. What Dare you at
tempt to eject me from the meetings
Hullol What's this?'
''There are men in the house, tell
you" Elizabeth whispered, hoarse with
terror I'VE shall ali be murdered in
our beds!''
Nonsense, my dearl You have been
lreaming."
Il was never SO wide awake In my
life. heard tho miscreants force the
lrawing room window, and they are
providing about tho house,
did the dog barkg" Henry asked.
You know that he never banks only
in the day time, " his wife replied, "Oh,
10 something to scare the wpetebes
away, or shall die of fright"
MIR. Bileton slipped out of bed and
huddled on some clothes. He kept a
policeman's lantern in the bedroom.
but the lighting of it proved to be a
rather lengthy performance. Not that
his hand trembled-perish the thought
but the wick was low and tho oil
had tlIickened.
The lantern was in order at last. and
then Mr.. Bileton bethought himself of
his revolver. Bitterly in his mind he
dwelt on the loss of the key; but he
forced open the case with q knife. seized
the weapon and started on his perilous
journey.
"fll-fll have tho first shot," he
said Elizabeth, beg-nay, com
mand you not to scream"
1t is just possible that Mr.. Bileton
cherished n hope that his wife would
not obey him, but she did, covering
her head with her bedclothes and stop.
ping her cars with her fingers.
Henry's knees shook as he went
slowly down stairs, flashing the disk of
light from floor to ceiling.
who's there's" he asked gruffiy.
Come, no nonsensel Surrender ouiet.