Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-07-20
CHAPTER XVI.
A MIDNIGHT VISITOR.

DQre6 BuDuTDhH NllldS, Wlllle OH cOnl-
monplace stage love and humor and
fears and lights and shadows We're so
swiftly succeeding each other, and while
these three families, drifted together by
fate, were shaping each others destinies
and working out in their own fashion
the strange, intricate ends Of human
life, there were human eyes which
watched over every stage of the per-
formance, and which were keenly crit
ical of every actor on it. Across the road
beyond the green palings and the close
cropped lawn, behind the curtains of
their creeper framed windows, sat the
two old ladies, Miss Bertha and Miss
Monica Williams, looking out as from a
private box at all that was being enacted
before them.
The growing friendship of the three
families, the engagement of Harold Den
ver with Clara Walker, the engagement
of Charles Westmacott with her sister,
the dangerous fascination which the
widow exercised over the doctor, the
preposterous behavior of tho Walker
girls and the unhappiness which they
had caused their father, not one of these
incidents escaped the notice of the two
maiden ladies. Bertha, the younger, had
smile or sigh for the lovers; Monica,
the elder, frown or shrug for the
elders. Every night they talked over
what they had seen, and their own dull,
uneventful life took warmth and col
oring from their neighbors, as blank
wall reflects beacon fire.
And now it was destined that they
should experience the one keen sensation
of their later years, the one memorable
incident from which all future incidents
should be dated.
1t was ON the very night which sue
ceeded the events which have just been
narrated when suddenly into Monica
Williams head, as she tossed upon her
.sleepless bed, there shot a thought which
made her sit up with thrill and gasp.
Bertha" said she, plucking at the
shoulder of her sister, 81 have left the
front window OPEN"
"No, Monica, surely not" Bertha sat
up also and thrilled in sympathy.
II am sure of it, You remember Ihad
forgotten to water the pots, and then /
opened the window, and Jane called me
about the jam, and have never been in
the room since"
"Good gracious, Monica, it is mercy
that we have not been murdered in our
beds. There was house broken into at
Forest Hill last week. Shall we go down
and shut it?"
81 dare not go down alone, dear, but
if you will come with me. Put on your
slippers and dressing gown. We do not
need candle. Now, Bertha, we will go
down together"
Two little white patches moved
vaguely through the darkness, the stairs
creaked, the door whined, and they were
at the front room window. Monica
closed it gently down and fastened the
snib.
"What beautiful moon" said she,
looking out. I'VE can see as clearly as
if it were day. How peaceful and quiet
the three houses are over yonder. 1t
seems quite sad to see that To Let card
upon No. I. l wonder how No. 2 will
like their going. For my part could
better spare that dreadful woman at No.
with her short skirts and her snake.
But, oh, Bertha, look! look! lookp Her
voice had fallen suddenly to quivering
whisper, and she was pointing to the
Westmacotts' house. Her sister gave
gasp of horror and stood with clutch
at Monica's arms, staring in the same
direction.
There was light in the front room, a
slight wavering light such as would be
given by small candle or taper. The
blind was down, but the light shone
dimly through. Outside in the garden,
with bis figure outlined against the
luminous square, there stood man, his
back to ths road, his two hands upon
the window ledge and his body rather
bent as though he were trying to peep in
past the blind. So absolutely still and
motionless was he that in spite of the
moon they might well have overlooked
him We're it not for that telltale light
behind.
"Good heavenl" gasped Bertha, 'it is
a burglar"
But her sister set her mouth grimly
and shook her head. 1--WE shall see,"
she whispered. ut may be something
WORSE"
Swiftly and furtively the man stood
suddenly erect and began to push the
window slowly up. Then he put one
knee upon the sash, glanced round to see
that all was safe and climbed over into
the ROOM AS he did so he had to push
the blind aside. Then the two spectators
saw where the light came from. Mrs.
Westmacott was standing as rigid as a
statue in the center of the room, with a
lighted taper in her right hand. For an
instant they caught glimpse of her
stern face and her white collar. Then
the blind fell back into position, and the
two figures disappeared from their view.
"Oh, that dreadful womanp cried
Monica. "That dreadful, dreadful wom-
an! She was waiting for him. You saw
it with your own eyes, Sister Berthal"
"Hush, dear, hush and listenp said
her more charitable companion. They
pushed their own window up once more
and watched from behind the curtains.
For long time all was silent within
A. la,,co Tho 1ipht still stood motion