Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-08-26

with his head upon his paws
l closed the door, went to my room,
changed my dress for wrapper, and
resumed my book. / had been tired
and sleepy before supper; now found
myself over.wakeful. Well, | would
read till | was sleepy. Margaret had
finished her work and came up to llindle
fire in the crate. "Sit with me, Mar
garrett if you wish to sew" | said and
she gladly brought her work to my
room.
Ten o'clock struck, then eleven. The
rain and wind had not abated l was
not sleepy; still was not sure would
be as long as | remained sitting up, and
it certainly was time for Margaret to
be in bed. AS thought this l heard a
| sound as of footballs on the front piazza.
felt Margarets eyes on my face, but
made no sign. Again came the foot
steps, distinct but stealthy. 1t was i'm
possible to ignore it.
at is Jack, said pleasantly. "And
1t is time to go to bed, Margaret"
"But | chained jack" said Margaret,
pale and trembling.
"You did? When?"
| "Before | came up"
| 81 had meant to leave him loose to-
night. No matter. No doubt he has
slipped his collar. He has done it be-
fore" spoke with an easy assurance
l was far from feeling.
| We sat few moments longer, and as
nothing further was heard | gave Mar
garet a few instructions with regard to
breakfast, and had just opened the door
to let her pass out, when noise like a
blow, followed by crash of shattered
glass, rang through the house. Marga-
ret fell back In her chair almost life
less, and l felt my own face blanch
with terror as ! hastily closed and
locked the door. Then paused to con-
slider the situation.
Margaret, where do you think that
noise WASP" asked, striving to steady
my tones.
'In the kitchen, ma'am," groaned
Margaret, her head completely envel-
oped in her apron. "Its likely they
broke the window In"
"But where is Jack?" I protested,
like boy whistling to keep up his
spirits. "He certainly would have
! barked."
+ There's way TO stop dogs bark
ing" sobbed Margaret
Nwas useless to argue further.
well, if there is anybody in the
house we are wasting time. Some
thing must be done. Margaret, you are
strong enough to strike man death
blow with this poker. l have Charlie 8
revolver here Let one man look to
himself; we may even scare two! Come,
Margaret" y
"Lordyl Lordy!"> moaned Margaret
II wouldn't go out Of that door to save
my life and million dollars besidesY
saw she would not; she was nearly
fainting with terror. | dared not &c
alone. What was to be done%
AS | look back to that awful night
wonder how could have been So calm
and collected. / probably felt that il
Margaret saw the terror l felt she
would be rendered practically useless
and there was nobody to do anything
for us but ourselves.
AS l burriedly glanced around in my
dilemma, my eyes rested on the new
) form which Charlie had recently pur
chased for me in the city, and upor
which / had been draping dress thai
afternoon. An expedient rushed into
my head. In the light of less urgent
: circumstances it might seem farcical
: still, Rome was once saved by the
quacking of a goose, SO might we be by
sham man. l flew to the closet anc
dragged forth Charles best overcoa
and new hat. Margaret raised hel
= head and watched with new hope borr
of my determined actions The form
was soon arrayed. cannot say that i
looked startlingly life-like on nea
view, still it might deceive, particular,
as had pulled the overcoat collar wei
up and the hat low down.
Now, Margaret" said you mus
go with me and set the figure in tn,
hall. l am sure they are not in tn,
main part of the house. Anyway, w,
;, can listen as we co.
This door shan't be unlocked Will,
I've got a back to hold it," said Mar
y garet, suiting the action to her word
; in 80 determined manner that coul,
o but fall back, 'lt's like iuvitin' ZEN
in to murder us, that's what it Isl"
but Margaret" implored, lot,
man will do no good in here. lie can
y not be seem"
"More'n likely they've got somebod
watchin' outside. Put it up ag'in tn
front window"
y So carried him carefully over to on
k of the front windows in my room-al
Is though despairing of his having an
d effect there-pulled the curtain hig
up, turned the gas let little higher