Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-11-13

oiobSuO WOOluR WOulu dCC OllpllSn III L |
sought her on all occasions, but, being |
united party of friends, we were not
often tete-a-tete And it was to me, al
ways, that Susy turned, in hours Of
peril, when a toad sat upon her white
dress, when the boat tipped hairs
breadth more than usual, when hor-
rible crawling things crossed our paths,
and cows lifted their heads to con-
template us. On all such occasions
two tiny hands, white as milk, soft as
satin, suddenly clasped my arm, and
"oh! oh!' called my attention to the
terror.
And it was not done for effect. You
cannot deceive physician to that ex-
tent, and my professional eye noted
how the pretty face blanched, the pulse
quickened and the whole little figure
trembled. She really was the worst
little coward ever saw.
And yet, although I chided myself
for it, could not share Serena's OPEN
ly expressed contempt, or sufficiently
admire her own scornful Indifference to
toads and grasshoppers, boat-tipping or
fractions horses. She rode well, a
magnificent figure on horseback, while
Susie trembled and shivered and chung
to the gentle animal she rode with des-
perate energy.
1t was late in the season and all of
my Aunt James guests had departed
excepting Serena, Susie and myself,
when one morning we were seated in
the sitting-room, discussing an impor-
tant matter. A far-away cousin of
Aunt James had been a collector of
rare jewelry and plate, and had left his
valuable treasures, the result of years
of purchase and selection, to her.
"And the whole lot has been sent
here" said Aunt Jane. II am not a
coward but have let it be well under
stood in Westonville that never keep
money in the house, have very little
plate and few jewels. There is nothing
discourages burglar more than GER
tainty that there is nothing to steal"
"Does anyone know?" asked.
1.-THE editor of the Westonville Ga
urday. He must have seen some of the
servants who heard us talking over the
lawyers letter"
"I'll run up to the city and arrange
to send the boxes to safety deposit
company" / said.
DO! Go now!. You can come back
on the five-thirty," said Susy. 81 shall
not sleep wink if they stay here, Oh!'
and her very lips were white, ''if l saw
burglar, believe I should dtei"
And looking into her white, terrified
face, believed so too, although Serena
said, loftily;
"What nonsence you do talk, Susy."
But, Aunt Jane consenting, l went
upon my proposed errand, arranged to
have the boxes sent for the following
day, and was on my way to the depot,
when / met an old friend and patient
The ten minutes chat cost me the loss
of the five-thirty train. Not another
one stopped at Westonville, excepting
the midnight express, until the next
day.
Fretting, reproaching myself, ]
passed the time as l best could until
midnight, my heart sinking at the
thought of the three lonely ladies al
Westonville. There was but one man
on the place, and he slept in room
over the stable. What if any thief at
tempted to obtain the valuable boxes
piled in the hall? Serena could be
trusted; Aunt Jane was not timid; but
Susy-poor little Susy!-she would die
she said; and l feared she would. As
the train sped on, this thought of Susy'
terror became almost maddening; ant
: when, at last, was at the little way
side station, quarter of a mile from
Aunt James, | started on run for the
house.
The hall door stood open, and heart
a sound in the sitting-room that seemed
to chill the blood in my veins Throw
ing open the door, l saw Susy -littl,
Susy!-clinging at the throat of MAJ
roughly dressed who held Aunt Jane il
chair, while he tried to shake of
Susy's arms, at the same tune keeping
Aunt Jane down. Serena lay in dea,
faint on the floor.
"You shall not hurt herr Susy cried
her slender arms strained to choke tn
sufferer. Let go, you wretch! I'll xii
you'll"
One blow on the top of his head from
my heavy walking stick brought tn
fellow down insensible. Susy dropped
her arms and stood white as death, bu
perfectly calm, facing rue.
''Can you find me rope to tie thi
fellow" / asked
She nodded, sped away, and returne
with coil of clothes line.
''Listenw she said, speaking quickly
"There is another one in the chin
closet, locked in. He is trying to kic
the door down. Do you see, this
james,
James was the one man-servant Aun
Jane employed Tying him firmly,
gave my next attention to Aunt Jan,
whose whole face was covered wit
y blood from a wound in the head. Know
l. ing how the sight of blood Away
k sickened Susy, tried to keep her bacl
if but she said, quietly:
IL ''Tell me, please, what you want an
'e how to help you"
% sent her for water, rags, laudanun
Or and while we bound up Aunt Jane
. head and restored her to counsciou
a. ness, Serena came to her senses and S;
v, up, white and shaking.
t "Oh, Susy, that man will kick Il
or closet door down" she cried, as Il
S. blows from the next room became MOI
S, violent
t. 1t seemed as II he would, and
i'd started to quiet him, when Susy graspC
er my arm.