Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-01-20

sonndly; dreains visited hin, and I'M
pleasant ones they were. Vision after
vision came and faded, and his wife was
alarmed beyond measure to see his un-
conscious hands go ont again and again,
p~erilously neal sometimes to the loaded
rife.
It 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 q heavy fall, and a loud.
harsh, reverberating report, as though q
cannon had been fired at her car.
No oma is over too frightened to
scream, aud Mira. Jameson's shrieks
were loud and shrill as she covered
among the bClclothos, and o s~crambling
in the darkness and muttcred words sho
could not understand did not tend to
calm her.
There was a rush Of feet in the hall
without; q stout shoulder sent The door
inward with a crash, and Dick Lovce,
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 q moment to comprehend.
and then lie laughed with immeasur-
able amusement.
The miller, clad bat lightly, was
sprawling or the floor, o dazed wonderin
his face, the old rife, which ho had struck
as he fell, lying harmless beside him
and now unloadcd; q window was open.
and through it came q fine sheet of rain.
the old mar 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 p|resontable appear
ance.
What has happenedi' asked Dick as
soon as hismirth could be suppressed. as
he aided the miller TO his feet.
IL don't know" stammercd Jane
son.
His vito, hearing voices, cautiously
peeped ont from under tho coverlet.
"Robbelst7 SO cried shrily. "They
have ben h,re again. Have they shot
you, Harvey
ono, wife, I'm not shot, said Harvey,
"sn l don't think there's been any rob
bers round. Fact is I've been sleep
walking"
"Whatl'
"Tvo been waliin in my sleep, sure as
you live" ccoaned the miller. 'Pm all
wet, so l must have gone out Of doors.
an the Lord only knows where l have
been or what I've been dom. l was
dreaIDin Of that ten pounds
He broke off aud hurried to the spot
in which he had hidden the money. Il
was not there.
you're rather old for such capers,
Harvey" his wife was saying.
Bat 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
put the money"
ak it gone!"
ayes"
"Then You had bestput on dry clothes.
sir, while | 60 out and try tofollow the
tracks you have probably left in the
garden. Your feet are so muddy I'm
sure you must have been there. I'll re-
port in a 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 II lantern he went out into the
rain, ard his CAVITY departed again as
under tile window of the miller's
chamber he discovered deeply indentod
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 Il cornor Of
tho mill. A loose board had been
freshly replaced. He drew it out and
there, in the aperture, found q small tin
box.
Taking it ont, he hurried back to find
jameson, his wife and Jennie up and
dressed, waiting for him.
The miller took the box eagerly and
opened IL with scarcely steady hands.
There We're the ten pounds, and under
them the money Of which he had thought
Dick had robbed him.
Lad" he said, turning to his en-
ployoe, 1--WE been thinlsin in Of you for
the last Few days. an I ask your pardon.
If / a ever do you a good turn call on
me-"
u take your word, sir" said Dick
ch%eerfully, going straight TO Jennie and
taking her hand. 81 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, youu not forget what love was to
yourself once"
mo, / don't, lad" said the miller,
with d tender glance toward bis wife;
"but u mill hand gets but poor wages,
an Souli haTo TO wait awhile"
as for tlat," said Dick, 81 think
I youu have telookup another mill hand,
Mr.. Jameson, FOR / have another offer,
and intond taking 70. Iwasn't brought
mp 20 labor and was az college when
my father died, leaving me, instead Of
the thousands / expected, nothing but
my empty, unframed hands. left the
college and fate led me hither. If /
have shown no talent as a miller, have
won the sweetest girl in the world to
love me. Now a friend Of my fathers