The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-18

A her back hair
in front of the dresser glass, prepare.
tory to retiring for the night Not n
particle" she emphatically repeated
81 have known you to be positively
cowardly mt times"
Mr.. Murfrce looked up in weary
way from the corner where he sat 81
nm sure, my dear" he began.
mo you're not" snapped his better
half, you are not sure, you are never
sure of anything-you only think. Bah,
hate man who only Thinks" and
She jcrSed the tangles ont of refrac
tory auburn lock with additional force.
when Mrs. jerks was telling to-
night about that paragon of n husband
OF hers | was simply consumed with
envy. 1t shows how much to believe
in names. Look at you two mcn-looll,
say!"
''Ycs, my dear" responded Mr.. Muir
free. pulling off his boots in resigned
way, Pm looking
"l5ah!" retortcd his wife. 'I mean
your names, Ulysses Nnrfrcc-Pctcr
Jcnks-just think of the difference, and
yetFeterJenlls knocked II burglar down
stairs this week with one fist, one,
assure you, and you, you are afraid to
go calling on the Simsongibbers after
dark, because they keep a dog"
We'll, my dear" fcebly cXpostulatcd
Mr.. Murfree, lit is very large dog,
and ~
Here Mrs. Murfree suddenly turned
around, and through lips continuing
sundry hairpius, combs and such trifling
articles Kissed: Don't talk TO men in
such an impressive and disgusted man
Nor that Mr.. Murfree subsidized at once,
and proceeded to finish pulling off his
socks.
He was not disturbed again until the
moment came for retiring when, con
trary TO their usual custom, Mrs Muir
free turned tho gas entirely out, lcav-
ing the room in darkness, save where
streak of moonlight fell through the
window, open for ventilation.
Now, if there was anything that Mr..
Murfrce hated, it was to have the bed
room gas turned off at night, but lie
climbed sadly into bed, and lay coyta-
ting u plan whereby he should he able
to shoot Il burglar in the dark should
one chance TO visit his abode that night
Just as he city clocl, was striking
one Mr.. Muvfrce awollc with start
and looked in q dazed way up into the
darkness
What's the matter with mc?r he
muttered, a sensation Of uncasncss
creeping over him. II think-ha.
WHAT'S that?' and, broad awake now.
with the cold perspiration starting
from every pore, lie became conscious
OF u flint rustic in the room, the
cause of which the heavy porticrcs
drapinG the alcovc prevented him as
certaining.
Cautiously he reached under the mat
trcss for his revolver, and, to his hor-
ror, found that after cleaning it on the
previous day he had carclcssly forgot
ten TO replace it in its wontcd spot
"Oh, Lord. oh, Lord.' he chartered
to himself, trying to keep cool; mo re-
volvcr, 10 nothing and Il burglar sure
as fate Samantha was right ] am
coward; what on earth shall do? If
awake Samantha will never hear
the last of it-shc will nag worse than
ever; besides, she is sure to we'll. and
then we will all he murdcrctl;" and the
POOR man shook SO Chat the springs
crcal;ed and sent him into ii fresh ii of
trembling.
Eastle, rustic, it came again, and then
,5s;It :hump and clinll.
He's got my pants calculated Mr..
Mn:frec to himsclf,as he cautiously sat
W 10 bed and tried TO calm himself
Thurap.
IL can't stand this any longer" said
MIR. Murfrce in a whisper, beginning 10
get huify. Pm fool. No wonder
Samantha said so. | will certainly
find out what is outside of those cur
tains, and this time Samautlu shan't
have a Glance TO brag over me. Per-
haps shall be able to do something
for once
Keeping we'll away from the sanara-
ton between the porticrcs, he carefully
Let one foot out OF bed.
As it touched the floor the rustic
sounded again, aud so near that Mr.
M,trfree nearly lost his balance with
fright, and found himself on his feet
the next moment, shaking with alarm
Lest lie had provoked the inarauticr's
attention IL the aicove or awakened
the sleeping Samantha.
Bat 10; all was quiet and as soon as
he plpclIcd up Il sufficient amount of
courage he reercd cautiously through
the curtains
Wish difficulty nc represscd an cx-
clai3ation Of horror.
l2e moons rays fell across the
dresser, bringing out each article on it
wilh a weird distinctncss, and lust in
tbs shu,.ow before Tie chcyal glass
was the STOPPING figure of man.
lie was evidently searching the up-
per drawer, and Mr.. Murfree gasped
for JOY rs he distinguished OH the top
OF the cabinet to the right of the glass