The Colfax chronicle., 1891-10-10

had q lantern, and could see plainl
about the place. spoke to the fellow
but he made me no answer. aske
him who lived there. He mumbled O,
something, but I could not understan
him. He was curious-looking fellow
and decidedly ayerse to answerin
: questions; and he was petulant an
crusty, too; but this l naturally a,
tributed to his being called out in sue
weather. and. having secured nv Dor;
manteau. made my way back to tn
house.
The same woman who had TINS fa
attended me prepared some food TO
me, and politely requested me to par
take OF 1T Wet and cold as was, tn,
fireplace was more comfortable an,
desirable than the table, but sat dow,
to the nepast out of courtesy.
During the evening / tried to con
verse with the woman, she was nv onI,
companion, but it was with difficult,
that got any answers to my questions
| asked her where was, and the only
reply was dubious shake of the head
Then l asked her who lived in the
house, and she trembled but said moth.
ing. She seemed anxious for me to re.
tire; and, at length, after I had mostfy
dried my garments, signified nv read.
mess to be shown to my bed. The
woman actually sprang to obey me.
and having lighted a second lamp she
bade me follow her. was conducted
up flight of stairs, and shown to q
respectfully furnished chamber, and
there my strange guide left me.
AS was eft alone, was not a little
puzzled by what had seen and heard
The house was evidently large one,
and, from what little / had seen of the
outside OF it by the light of the lantern
from the stable, judged it to be built
OF hewn timber, dove-tailed together
at the corners, with the crevices plas-
tered with cement The inside, such
as had seen, was finished neatly with
well-matched boards, planed and paint
ed. 1t was strange that l had seen
nothing of the owner of the place; and
the behavior of those had seen was
equally strange. was confident that
the house must be far from any other
habitation, and 1t is not to be wondered
that l allowed an unpleasant train of
suspicious thoughts TO pass through
my mind.
The powder in my pistols had be-
come somewhat damp. My portmantcau
mad brought to my chamber with me,
and in that I found dry powder. I
carefully reloaded my weapons, and
placed them under my pillow, and hav-
ing fastened the door, partially un-
dressed myself, and got into the bed.
It was certainly an hour before slept.
but at length the drowsy god overcame |
ne.
could not have slept long, not over |
laif an hour, when was awakened by
quick shake of my shoulder. sprang
lp in the bed and seized a pistol
mere was man by my bedside, and
le held lamp towards me. He was
all but far from being stout, and his
ountenance was kind and gentle in
is expression. He had entered bv a
mall door at the end of the nom
which had not noticed.
"-sh?' he muttered, placing his
niger upon his lips. MAKE no noise.
'ut up your pistol" l.
but what seek you here?'' asked.
ceiling assured that my visitor meant
ne no harm.
II would save your
Save me?" repeated.
"-sh! Yes. You have one foot in
our grave while you are here. Doyou
now this house?"
mo. What is it?'' uttered, spring. ,
lg from my bed.
BE careful! You'll wake the demon | i
efore his time! He thinks do not ,
now him; but by chance / found 4
i'm out in time to save my own life !
nd yours, r
ny this time had nearly dressed
yself, and, with trembling limbs u
stened, while my visitor explained c
mself He told me that the owner of :
e house was murderer by profess :
On, that he entrapped travellers and
He'd and robbed them. His tale was a
horrible one, and he had learned It o
by overhearing conversation be- O
'een the man of the house and the I
low who had taken care of my horse. r
had himself arrived and retired be- u
re / came along; but he had II
'akened just in season to hear the W
nversation he had related take place nj
an adjoining room. n,
Come, come" he said, as l threw III
portmanteau across my arm and pt
'k my second pistol from beneath b,
pillow; there is not a moment to tn
9. If we are discovered we shall be to
led" be
With catlike, noiseless tread nv COM II
MON led the way out through the ch
ne door by which he had entered. en-
existence of which, he informed Sc
, he had learned from the conversa- IN,
he had overheard between the &C
OF the house and his hostler. hi
Is door gave us entrance to a room es,
which there was bed, the outer me
z OF which was open. / could not ho
P noticing, as Ipassed this last door. !
stout iron bolts which were fixed tn,
IN its Oufsidc