The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-09-14

BACK the chlntz curtains SO as TO leave II
entirely unshaded, as he liked TO be
awakened by the first CLEAN of morning
sunlight He was not dweller in the
town whose nervous, overweight brain
required unbroken darkness to soothe ii
to rest. He had gone to sleep full of
kindly, happy thoughts. rejoicing over
his daughters happiness and the realiza-
ton Of hic own and his old friends long
cherished wish as TO the marriage of
their children, and planning what he
would do for the poor wayfarer who had
so strongly excited his interest and com
passion. As he lay there he locked the
very picture Of an honest, healthy, hap
py man. strange contrast to the villain
Gus countenance Of the man who now
bent over him.
Remond had approached the bed at the
side farthest from the window. but his
keen eyes soon perceived the corner Of the
pocketbook he was in search of project
ing little from under tho pillow at the
side opposite to where he stood. He at
once perceived that he had somewhat
difficult job before him. He dared not
risk stretching across the sleeping man.
who lay with his face toward the win
dow, in order to reach it, for the bed was
wide, and in such strained attitude as
he would have to assume he could not
rely on the steadiness of his hand. The
only alternative was to 60 around TO the
other side OF the bed, where it would be
within easy reach, in which case there
~x~r,.lH ~. <i.s. 1o,,oa,. f :, aha dn., 81 ,.x,
sequence of his having to pass between
the sleeping man and the uncurtained
window, and he knew by experience
how little sometimes awakened sleep
or. Amy attempt at closing the curtains
was of course quite out of the question.
1t would be much too long and risky a
process. All this passed rapidly through
his mind. and he promptly decided TO
try the other side Of the bed
1t was a large, old fashioned 4-Tost
bed, and getting softly down on his
hands aud knees he crawled noiselessly
round like some noxious reptile. by this
device he avoided the danger of throw
ing his shadow on the sleeper. When he
got opposite the place where the pocket.
book lay, he cautiously put himself in
such q position as TO be able to spring @,
once to his feet if necessary, then raised
his head till his eyes were on a level with
the surface of the bed And slowly,
gently, cautiously, very cautiously, that
hand with its rapacious fingers crept oYel
the coverlet till it touched the prey il
sought--first touched, then grasped, ther
gently, gently, drew back again.
But what was that? What unheard Of
sound disturbed the sleeper? Was it per
chance the grating Of Atropos' shears
Who can tell? Warned by that almost
imperceptible movement, the hand lay
still as though cut in marble, while /
baneful CLEAN shot from the evil eye.
which watched the sleeper. After 4
pause the gentle. gliding movement be
gan again. Slowly the pocketbook wa.
drawn from its hiding place, and success
seemed certain. With a shudder-th,
shears must Nave grated more loudly
than before-the sleeper opened his eyes
Those eyes which had closed on happy
smiles and loving looks opened to fal
on that rapacious hand and evil face
Great Godi how came they there?
He had no time TO think. to look. e
breafhel At ono fell bound the robbel
syringe upon him. and tho long hands
clutch his throat in grasp of steel.
The need has come. and be looks TO
ward bis cqmpanion.