Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-06-18

where the mouse had sprung out
For moment she was utterly para
lyzed with dread, and not daring, or
able, TO move. was about TO cry out for
help. Luckily for her the cry was stitied,
and then, with sort OF desperate cour-
age sac turned back to her old position
and again looked into the glass, as II
nothing had happened. AT the very first
glance the two terrible eyes seemed to be
fixed on her from among the dark folds
of the curtain. and she shuddered as she
looked. IL was clearly some scoundrel
who had hidden himself there for some
plan OF robbery, and her life for the mo-
ment was in his hand. and all depended
on her success or failure in lulling him
into belief that his presence had not
been detected.
After minute of sharp thought her
usual resolute will prevailed; her courage
rose and her plan was formed. Without
rising from her chair she drew up TO her
side small writing table, calmly light
ed wax candle, and began writing
series Of pretended notes, sealing and
addressing each, as If for post. Over the
fourth of these notes she seemed TO take
much trouble, and, rs If not satisfied with
it. began to read aloud short bits of it
as she went on, with an occasional word
of comment: 1--WE depend on your being
here, my dear Jennie, in good time TO
night, whatever the weather be; and
send this by special messenger to say
that we shall keep you until tomorrow.
have heaps of birthday presents to
show you, and the lovcliest diamond
necklace" AS she uttered these words
she suddenly stopped and said, as If in
whisper to herself : "Why, what a
goose am Old Foster. the jeweler,
has never sent back the rings and neck
lace, though he faithfully promised |
should have them in good time this morn
ing. Jane must go for them at once or
shall not get them in time"
Then, having sealed up and directed
/ the last of her pretended notes, she
walked with trembling steps to the bell
! 70 e, pulled it, waited for a moment,
and next unlocked drawer and took
/ out her jcwel.case. AS she did so, the
( door opened, and the servant appeared.
"Jane, said her mistress, "tell Richard
to take this note to the Grange, and this
10 DIR. Forbes at once. There are no
answers; but as he comes back. call at
Foster, the watchmaker's, with the other
note, and ask for my rings and necklace
which he had to clean. As it's getting
late, he had better take the pony The
necklace he can put into this box; Foster
has the kew" And with these words she
handed to the servant her precious jewel
case. In another moment the door was
4 shut. and Grace once more alone with
i the nair, of ewes Watching her intentlY
I from behind the curtain.
Jane was slightly puzzled, but being a
well-trained servant, obeyed her mis-.
tress's orders. Here, Richard" said
she; Miss Grace says you're to take the
pony as sharp as you can, and leave these
notes at the Grange and at old Forbes,
and as you come back, call ut Fosters
for some rings and "a necklace that's to
80 into this case"
In five minutes he was on his way.
The three notes he carried with him
were duly delivered, and read with
ama2ement by the recipients. The one
to Dr. Forbes ran thus:
"Mv dear Doctor: Don't be alarmed,
though l beg you to come strai Sht to the
manor -hoLse wh'n YOU nave read this. Say
nothing ths servants but make your wav
I quietly mp TO the Oak Room. where wait your
coming. Uncle is away at the magistrit es'
meeting. Lose not moment.
Grace Rivington."
The second note was this:
any dearest Florrie A mouse has got into
the Ok ROM. and here am prisoner; send
your two brot Iers at once to deliver meat
once. Ever your affectio1ate, Grace.
Foster, the matchmaker, utterly and
hopelessly puzzled, read as follows:
"Mr. Foster Take the box which the bearer
will give yu 10 .rnst tho parrish constable !;
tell linn - bring 1t here TO the Manor House
at once. q. Rivington."
Old Forbes was the first to recover
from his amazement. and, after a mo-
ment's thought, to hurry down from his
surgery and rush out of the house
armed with case of instruments and
his biggest stick-wthout word to wife
or servants, or TO himself, but "What on
earth 10 that witch or u girl up TO now"
RE ran as hard as he could. and in ten
minutes, red hot aud breathless, reached
the hall-door of the manor-house, where
he was well-known.
Parker" said he to the astonished
footman, Miss Grace says | am to go
straight to her room without being an
nounced. l know my way" Then he
walked quietly upstairs and knocked at
the door of the Oak Room, and at once
entered.
His patient, with pale face, and her
long hair streaming down over her
shoulders, was sitting in low chair in
front of the mirror; the fire had died out
into white ashes, and the dim light of
the two wax candles left half the room
in darkness.
"Grace, what has happenedl Are you
ill-herc, all alonel"
And then came dread silence, more
terrible than any speech. She tried to
speak but for many minutes the effort
was in vain. and ended In few broken
sobs and still more broken words. While
the agony OF suspense and fear lasted.
she had bravely kept up her courage, but
now with safety had come the reaction.
Her nerves, after being strung up to
the highest pitch, suddenly collapsed,
and the doctor was fairly puzzled But
at last, after a sharp effort, came an in
telligible sound, and she stammered out,
mot i'll, doctor; not i'll and not alone;
he is there behind the curtains"
Before he could ask, "Who or what
is behind the curtainl" out stepped Mr..
Skies to answer for himself, common
roadside tramp of the lowest order, who
that very morning had begged for broken
victuals at the kitchen door and been
rewarded generously in honor OF the
day.
All right, governor" said Skies,
''you needn't make no fuss. | amt done
M harm IN the volnU lady. and the