The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-12

The dressing-case stood exactly oppo-
site the sitting room door, and opposite
that. on the other side Of the sitting room,
another room opened into small china
closet
l was sure that door had moved; but
perhaps draught had stirred it.
l did not turn round, but my eyes
seemed fixed in a stony gaze upon that
closet door,
Several moments passed, and then a
pair of ewes, that cleaned like balls of
fire, peered through the opening.
NV heart throbbed audibly. | could
not move. dared not scream.
Alone on such a stormy night. Alone
and at the mercy of a burglar! These
thoughts ran rapidly through my brain,
but ! stood still.
! An age it seemed, but in reality bat a
few seconds: and as the storm increased
in fury, the lightning threw its lurid
glare across the room, while one deafen
| ing peal of thunder followed another in
swift succession, but in the new peril
| that threatened me scarcely heeded it.
Then came flash of lightning so vivid
that it blinded me, followed instanta-
neously 10y crash that Jared the house.
A moment later came an imperious
ring of the bell, and catching up the
lamp l hastened to the door
opened it, with feeling that there
could be no worse evil found outside the
house than within
My light revealed a mans dripping
figure, but the voice vas reassuring in
tone.
Can trespass upon your hospitality
- I
way to the village hotel, but the shower
came up so suddenly" he explained.
1t was the agent, who had called that
afternoon.
Once, surely, was glad of call from
an agent, as Hospitality led the way to
the sitting room,
AsI passed the Hateful closet door,
which had nearly closed during my ab
sence shut II and gave the key, which,
fortunately, was on the outside, a swift
turn.
A sharp click gave assurance that |
had control of the danger which had
menaced me; and completely unnerved
| sank into the nearest chair.
Something unusual was expressed in
my countenance, possibly, for the young
man sprang from his chair and came to
my side.
'Are you ill9" he questioned anx-
iously,
shook my head negatively.
Then from my pocket took an ivory
tablet, and wrote hurriedly:
There is burglar in that closet, but
[ have locked him in. Make no demon
stration, but if you will be so kind as to
stay until my uncle comes, | shall be
very thankful
handed him my tablet,
He read, his eyes flashed, but that was
all the sign he made,
Merely noddhg his head aflirmatively
to my request, he seated himself by the
table, and glanced over the books which
were lying there.
After few moments, my faintness
passed off,
The Knowledge that was not alone,
even though my companion was com
parative stranger, gave me sense OF re-
lief from danger, for | knew him intui-
lively to bo an honorable man, and the
evening went by swiftly.
The shower was over, and vt last
heard the sound of unole's wheels,
Thankful | was, too, though the
thought of the concealed villain made
my heart beat fast and loud.
Nodding significantly to the agent |
ran out to meet Uncle James, and told
him briefly, Of the tenant of the china
closet.
Instead of embarrassing his horse, he
drove down to the village for an officer,
while | returned to the sitting room, and
sat down to wait for the announcement.
In few minutes my uncle returned,
and with him couple of officers.
They entered the sitting room with my
uncle, giving n sharp look at the agent
and then at mo,
merely pointed to the fateful closet,
and quickly they crossed the room, and
turning the key, threw open the door,
A sharp report of revolver, which
fortunately, did no harm, muttered i'm
precautions, u brief struggle, then the
click of handouts, and the officers had
secured their prisoner.
He was desperate looking fellow aud
proved to be an escaped cOnvict-a bank
robber who had only served half his
time, and he was again put behind the
bars.
Nothing had been taken from my
uncle's house, and he had waited III
doubt for the inmates to become still be
fore he began his depredations,
= ltt ndu StOlen llllO JHc blJllhH lhoI
while was in the garden, and my owl
carelessness in leaving the door open hac
provided the way.
No greater harm than my fright re
suited, which was more than counter
, balanced by an after-happcning.
For the acquaintance commenced un
der such odd circumstances, betweel
I myself and the agent, did not end will
| that night, 1t deepened into warn
friendship, which, an old school bool
! says, "Often ends In love-" and 1t Ger
tainly did in this case, and | became tn
y wife of Ralph Leslie.
y That was ten years ago; and now, as
write, manly face leans over my shouI
7 der, a silky brown moustache sweeps m
p cheek, and Ralph reads the last sentence
then says softly:
"That was a blessed burglar, Marian
= for he helDed me to q wife"
a And as | turn TO accept a profIere
: kiss, think that | should be willing /
. forgive the greatest sinner II he were til
4 means of bringing me such happiness a
!. | share with Ralph Leslie.-Bethd Be-
tOn..