The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-08-26

gfedl-uncie IeteI > IA NJ - tnat means
ghost-walks in these very rooms"
Mamma !"
Alice, who was kneeling on the hearth
trying to make toast with the aid of Ia
bic knife for lack of a proper fork, look
ed over her shoulder, with her brown
hair ruified above her forehead, her
cheeks earmine with the heat and her
great grey eyes filed with laughing light
You know you don't believe in ghosts,
so that oughn't to trouble you," she pro-
tested.
believe in worse than ghosts" sigh
ed Mrs. Gilman. believe that those
lights and noises were made by tramps or
burglars or bandits frequenting this house
while it was deserted And suppose they
should come back tonight and find US
two women alone without a man to pro-
tect us? Oh, why, why did we come out
a mile away from everywhere to be muir
dered ?"
She was fast lapsing into mysteries.
This would never do, thought her
daughter, and she accordingly arose and
took her by the shoulders with friendly
little shake.
They won't come, mother and if
they did, could protect you and myself,
too. You know / have a revolver, and
cousin Dick taught me how to shoot"
"A girl shoot, indeed" scornfully re-
turned Mrs Gilman, resolute in her
despair. "Pd rather be killed at once
than die of fright-as know I should if
you tried TO use your precious pistol. Oh,
dear, dear what shall we do ?"
l shall finish getting tea" said Alice,
moving suddenly between her mother
and the open door, however, instead of
going oack to her toast.l
Her voice was sweet and CHEEKY, as
usual, and the friendly flush of the fire
was still on her cheeks (; yet for the first
time in her life, terror-deadly, sickening,
unutterable- possessed her.
Mrs- Gilman's back was turned to the
rear parlor, and as Alice bent consolingly
above her, over bead she had looked
carelessly into this room. nrough whose
shadows the setting on a table
close by the folding doors-cast slant
ing bar of light
And against the wall on which that
faint light fell, as il noiselessly stealing
along toward them, she had seen the
crouching figure of ragged, villainous-
looking man, his hat pulled down to hide
his face, long knife cleaning in his
hand.
Just one instant her eyes were held to
that sight with helpless horror; the next,
the brave young blood rushed back
through her veins.
She must not start nor scream she
must not faint; she must be strong for
two.
Still keeping between her mother and
the crouclllIIg wretch. who must not
know yet that he was discovered. She
moved toward her satchel, where her
loaded revolver lay.
Every nerve was tense and strained,
her heart beat till it seemed to her as if
the man must hear its mad throbbing /;
but she was talking carelessly all the
while.
believe there must be some Of that
anchoyy paste left, mother. 1t will add
relishing touch to your toast if there
is" fumbling in her satchel as she spoke.
No, after all it isn't here"
But the revolver was there. She drop
ped it, ready cooked, into her apron
pocket as she rose, and her hand. hidden
in her pocket, was clasping it firmly, one
finger on the trigger, when she went back
TO the fire.
She was wondering how she could best
tell her mother of the situation: but just
then Mrs. Gilman chanced to turn and
her eyes also fell on the dimly visible
figure in the next room.
In an agony of fear she started up with
frantic shrieks mingled with regrets that
she and Alice had ever come there to be
murdered, and entreaties to the intruder
TO spare their lives.
He, for his part, neither moved nor
spoke, but seemed dunbfounded for the
moment at being thus suddenly discov-
cred.
Alice was By her mothers side in that
same second. Her revolver had flashed
into sight, and her dimpled white hand
was steady as stone while she took aim
at the man.
Hush. hush !" she commanded.
Don't dare to faint, mother. And as
for you, you william, drop that knife,
throw up you hands and come out into
the light, or I'll shoot you"
For she had swiftly planned and de-
cided that if there was only one man,
she might force him to surrender, and
allow even poor, trembling Mrs. Gilman
to bind him with strips cut from a strong
blanket shawl of hers. while she herself
kept him covered VITA her weapon.
But the object of her plan made no
movement to obey hel.
Mrs. Gilman laughed Historically.
Alice, Alice he knows woman can't
shoot"
He'll find can if he don't take care" !"
said Alice, between her teeth.
Then to him:
"Do as l told you, or when 1 count
three shall fire. One, two" and she
made merciful pause.
Still he man remained contumacious,
motionless, silent.
Three"
Then all in one instant there was a
sharp report, puff of smoke, a flash Of
flame and crash of shivering glass as
Mrs. Gilman flung herself desperately
down on the floor, knocking over the
stand by the open door, the lamp was
extinguished as it broke.
From the utterly dark room beyond
came no sound Of life whatever.
must have killed him." groaned
Alice, pierced with remorse, yet still
holding her revolver in readiness for any
foe.
Mrs. Gilman sat up and screamed
louder than ever.
Hasty steps rang on the porch outside,
a strong hand pushed up one Of the win