Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-12-02


With smile, "but | hope nobody
will walk oil with this while you're
asIeep."
"Tll take care of that" answered
he miller, conscious that Dick could
Yhear, 81 don't calc'late on bein' robbed
twice by the same person, and I've
got over thinkin' everybody meet is
fhonest Good day. sir. Much
obliged"
Glaviu departed and the miller went
into the house. -1
Jennie was singing softly as she
sewed at window. Mrs. Jameson
was not in, having gone 10 visit sick
neighbor.
! Without a word the old man passed
into his chamber and there secreted
the money. frowniug as he did so.
EN- send that fellow packin' soon,
whether find him sicaiin' or n9t,' he
fmutlered. at amt none TOO com
Portable feelin' to know you've got
to lock up every dollar you get and
not tell anybody where you put IL"
| He ate his supper that evening in
silence, Jennie and Dick chattering
tinccssantly, and Mrs. Jameson told
about every ache and pain that racked
the woman she had been to visit.
But the miller could only wonder
whether or not that frank. manly face
aud those CHEEKY tones Of his employe
belonged to knave and scoundrel.
can Jennie and him seemed to UNI
stand one another far too WE'LL" he
soliloquized. ''l used to like the lad,
but Fda lief see my girl care for old
blind jack, the fiddler, as this fine
gentleman. As Greene says he'sl too
fancy about himself to be honest
I've heard the greater the rascal the
more genteel, an | guess I'll load the
rifle
He did load his rifle and placed it
bear his bed, telling his wife that he
"warn't going to lose any more
money, but the first one that came for
dishonest purposes would lose his
life"
Mrs. Jameson was very nervous,
concerning the proximity of the rife;
she begged her husband to put it fur
ther away, declaring be might touch
], in his sleep can make the thing go
ef7' and probably kill her.
81 never move in my sleep, so you
-. ved," he told her. "If
well n0WH $50 ere Te-wIn
go of, l.lil not touch it in my
sleep. sleep like an honest man,
do
So he went to bed and thought more
of his daughter than of the money
under the carpet. However, he did
think of his money sometimes, and,
in fact, his thoughts ran from Jennie,
as the thoughts of the money-lender
ran from his ducats to his daughter.
At last he slept, but not too soundly !
dreams visited him, and unpleasant
ones they were. Vision after vision
came aud faded, aud his wife was
alarmed beyond measure to see his I'M
conscious hands 90 out again and
again, perilously near sometimes 10 the
loaded rifle.
1t was midnight before she slept at
all, but then her sleep was profound.
1t was broken at last by the strangest
aud most thrilling of sounds, no less
startling than heavy fall aud loud,
marsh, reyerLerating report, as though
cannon had been fired through the
door.
No woman is ever too frightened 10
scream. and Mrs. Jameson's shrieks
were loud aud shrill as she covered
among the bedclothes,. aud scram-
bling in the darkness and muttered
words she could not understand did
not tend to calm her.
There was rush of feet in the hall
without; a stout shoulder sent the
door inward with crash, and Dick
Lcvoe, who had made this uncere-
mon!ous entrance, stood there. with
light high above his head, his Keen
eyes scanning tho apartment swiftly.
II took him moment to comprel
end, and then he laughed with i'm
measurable amusement.
The miller, clad but lightly, was
sprawling on the floor, dazed Won
der in his face, the old rifle, which he
had struck as lie fell, lying harmless
beside him and now unloaded; a win
dow was open, aud through it came a
fine sheet of rain; the old mau was
soaking wet aud raindrops glistened
on his hair and scanty garments; his
bare feet were muddy, and altogether
he presented anything but an agree
able or prcsenable appearance.
"Whal has happened?' asked Dick
as soon as his mirth could be sup
pressed, as he aided the miller TO his
feet.
d. don't know" stammered
Jameson.
His wife, hearing voices, eau tiously
peepcd out from under the coverlet.
"Robbers!" she cried shrilly.
"They have been here again. Have
they shot you, Harvey?"
mo, wife, Pm not shot," said Har-
vey, can don't think there's been
any robbers round. Fact is I've been
sleep walking"
.AVhatf.f