The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-19


say then. How his conscience would refuge
himl She found a great deal Of satisfaction
in this thought; indeed il made her quite
resigned to her fate.
But what if he did not come back? What
If she had driven hign away-if he had de-
serted her? Five minutes after this alarm
ing thought entered her head she was posi-
lively certain that such was the case;
Perhaps lie had gone with another woman!
Yes, the cruel truth was now laid bare. he
had eoped, and left her alone there 10 Dc
murdered. Little he caredI
Harkl Her heart gave great bound ana
then stood still. Was not some one trying
to open the front door? She went to the
window, which was partly raised. ana looked
down. Yes, standing directly below, she
saw in the dim light man with stouch
hat working softly at the lock. Skeleton
KEYS and all the significance pertaining
thereto Immediately flushed on her mind.
What must she do to brighten him away
Strangely enough the idea of calling aloud
never entered her head. Scarcely knowing
what she was doing, she seized upon large
white pitcher filed with water. and III an
other moment had poured its contents upon
the villains head. Then she closed the
window with bang and crept into bed to
shiverlugly wait for developments.
A mans tones of surprise and anger
reached her; probably they were lmpreca;,
lions and threats OF vengeance: Hark
The door was being tempered with again.
This time it yielded. She heard heavy foot
falls on the stairs, and cold chils ran over
her frame. Nearer and nearer they came
She tried TO scream, but her throat was par
alyzed with fear. He had reached the door;
she saw 1t paning, and then everything
swan before her and she knew nothing
more.
Wien her senses returned she found her
self in the arms OF her husband, who was
vigorously rubbing her hands one moment
and dashing cold water in her face and
down her neck the next.
"Where-where is hep" she asked, cling
ing to him in terror.
Where is who, MarthaT
THE burglar"
al don't know anything about any bur
glar my dear, but 1t does seem kind oil
curious that a man can't come home little
late without having a barrel OF water upset
on him out of an upstairs window" he said
In aggrieved accents.
IL thought tit was house-breaker
land why? Do look like one?"
"You had straw hat on when you left.
I could only see the hat from above
Yes, l bought new one. Just look at
it now" holding up limp, shapeless affair
and gazing at II mourntulIy.
am very sorry, James. II am sure
! didn't know. l supposed you had run
away" she said, pathetically.
Run away from where? Who fromP
Oh! How did l know you were going to
throw it? You didn't give me any time TO
run away" he protested, hopelessly at sea.
Finally he was made TO comprehend how
matters stood, and then lie laughed immod-
erately He chuckiei while removing his
wet clothing. Mrs. Bagiy awoke In the
middle of the night aud found him still
chuckling.
Next morning ne stopped to chucke while
reading the paper. and surprised his clerks
by dawning on them with an immense grin
distortIug his face. He was still wearing 1t
when he came home TO dinner.
81 say, Martina, it's too good 10 keep; I'll
have to tell Oky." he said.
"Who? she added, sharply.
"Dedlin."
Her face became the picture of horror.
James Bagley, if you eyerdare to breathe
a word to that horrid story writer pil-
III" here she paused to think of something
to do justice to the occasion, but falling,
simply said. II don't known what I'll do"
This terrible though indefinite threat had
the desired effect, aud he was dumb as an
oyster on the sui ject ever after.
How then did l learn Of il? Dear reader,
she told me herself in less than a month
MaYerley.