Evening journal., 1892-12-07

perilously near sometimes to the loaded
rifle.
1t was midnight before she slept at all,
but then her sleep was profound. It
was broken at last by the strangest and
most thrilling of sounds, no less star
ting than a heavy fan, and loud,
harsh, reyerberating report, as thougha
cannon had been fired at her ear.
No woman is ever too frightened to
scream, and Mrs. Jameson's shrieks
were loud and shrill as she covered
among the Dedclothes, and a scrambling
in the darkness and muttered words she
could not understand did not tend to
calm her.
There was O rush of feet in the hall
without; a stout shoulder sent the door
inward with a crash, and Dick Levoe
who had made this unceremonious en-
trance, stood there, with a light high
above his head, his keen eyes scanning
the apartment swiftly.
1t took him a moment to comprehend.
and then he laughed with immeasur-
able amusement.
The miller, clad but lightly, was
sprawling on the floor, a dazed wonder in
his face, the old rife, which he had struck
as he fell, lying harmless beside him
and now unloaded; a window was open,
| and through it came a finesheet Of rain;
the old man was soaking wet and rain
drops glistened on his hair and scanty
garments; his bare feet were muddy,
and altogether he presented anything
but an agreeable or presentable appear
ance.
"What has happenedg asked Dick as
soon as his mirth could be suppressed, as
he aided the miller to his feet.
"I-I don't know" stammered Jane
son.
His wife, hearing voices, cautiously
peeped out from under the coverlet.
"Robbersw she cried shrilly. "They
have been here again. Have they shot
you, Harvey"
"No, wife, I'm not shot, said Harvey.
"an l don't think there's been any rob
bers round. Fact is I've been sleep
walking"
"What"
"Ive been wallin in my sleep, sure as
you live" groaned the miller "rm all
wet, so l must have gone out Of doors.
an the Lord only knows where l have
been or what I've been doin. l was
dreamin Of that ten pounds
He broke off and hurried to the spot
in which he had hidden the money. It
was not there.
"You're rather old for such capers,
Harvey" his wife was saying.
But he didn't hear her. Very blankly
he turned to Dick, who had now retreat
ed to the threshold where Jennie was
standing, white and startled, but ravish-
ingly pretty.
Lad" the miller said solemnly. 81
believe I've robbed myself. I've heard
of such things, an now believe I've Just
done that, an Ihain't got a notion where
Iput the money"
SIS it gone|
"Yes."
"Then You had bestput on dry clothes,
sir, while go out and try to follow the
tracks you have probably left in the
garden. Your feet are so muddy I'm
sure you must have been there. III re-
port in n few moments"
A whispered sentence to Jennie at the
door, and Dick was off to don his boots
and laugh at the remembrance Of the
miller's plight.
With a lantern he went out into the
rain, and his gravity departed again as
under the window of tho miller's
chamber he discovered deeply indented
footprints, which proved that jameson
had emerged like a schoolboy.
The big, bare feet left plain traces in
the soft soil Of the garden. Dick fol
lowed them on across the road, and
found that they ceased at one corner of
the mill. A loose board had been
freshly replaced. He drew it out and
there, in the aperture, found a small tin
box.
Taking it out, he hurried back to find
jameson, his wife and Jennie up and
dressed, waiting for him.
The miller took the box eagerly and
opened it with scarcely steady hands.
There were the ten pounds, and under
them the money Of which he had thought
Dick had robbed him.
Lad" he said, turning to his EN-
ployee, eve been thinkin i'll Of you foI
the last few days, an 1 ask your pardon.
If / can ever do you a good turn call on
me-"
Il take your word, sir" said Dick
cheerfully, going straight to Jennie and
taking her hand. u want your consent
to my marrying Jennie some day, when
have proved myself able to take care
Of her. We love each other, and hope
sir, you'll not forget what love was tC
yourself once"
''No, l don't, lad" said the miller
with a tender glance toward his wife
''but a mill hand gets but poor wages
am you'll have TO wait awhile"
Gas for that" said Dick, 81 think
you'll have to look mp another mill hand
Mr.. jameson, for 1 have another offer
and intend taking it. l wasn't brought
up TO labor and was at college when
my father died. leaving me, instead OF
the thousands / expected. nothing bui
my empty, unframed hands. left tho
college and fate led me hither If
have shown no talent as a miller, / hay,
won the sweetest girl i'm the world {,
love me. Now friend of my fathers