Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-12-04

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high wall, also of stone. 1t was the
pride of the owner, Miss Gwynne.
One night, in the early spring of
the year, there was to be a wedding
at Cod-y -Glyn-a wedding in humble
life, but anticipated with great glee
by the invited guests, among whom
were Miss Gwynne's servants, the
coachman and his wife (who was also
cook) and Viva, their daughter, en-
| ployed as maid d-of-allwork.
Knowing the disappointment it
would be to them if they were denied
the pleasure of attending the wedding,
she had declined the coachman's offer
to remain with her, allowing his wife
and daughter to go, and laughingly
assured him that with her fathers gun
for company she feared nothing.
Miss Gwynne retired at an early
hour, having locked up the house.
She lay for some time gazing
through the window at the twinkling
stars, lost in quiet retrospection.
/ will let Miss Gwynne tell the rest
of the story in her own way, repeating
as well as 1 can from memory the
words as heard them from her lips
ten years ago.
cannot tell if | dozed or not, but ]
was conscious of the moon shining
dimly through the clouds, and | won
dered how long | had lain there.
Reaching out for my watch, which lay
on the table, | was Mortified to feel
my wrist grasped and held by firm
hand
To say / was frightened would be
less correct than to say / was astound-
ed, for l have always been a woman of
steady nerve, and the present occasion
called for its use.
The moon had retired behind
heavy curtain of clouds, and the moon
was in complete darkness, but from
the drapery at my bedside issued
voice, and at the same time the
python-like grasp on my wrist relaxed.
II beg to apologize, madame" said
this voice 81 have chosen bungling
manner of awakening you-foreign to
my custom. Pardon me, and do not
be alarmed. I merely wish to relieve
you of any superfuous silver, jewelry
or bank notes you do not absolutely
need. But as the vandalism of break
ing locks is out of my line, l will re-
quest you to arise and show me where
such things are kept"
By the time he had finished this
speech | was myself again.
Every WELL said, 'I'll get up and
show You; but, rs it is embarrassing
to dress in your presence, will you
step ont into the hall and close the
door while put on my clothing"
There was soft rustling of the cur
tains at the bedside, and the sound of
footsteps on the carpet, and immedi
stely afterward the door closed,
Give minutes, madame, is all I can
give you," remarked the burglar, as
he disappeared.
1t took me latter lighting the can
die two minutes to slip on a
warm skirt, and blue flannel
wrapper over it: then, sticking
my leet INTO pair of down slippers,
haa stiii time to snatch a roll
OF bills amounting to one hundred
pounds, and pin them deftIv 10 the
post bed.
Then throwing open the door 7 stood
on the sill facing my visitor, and tbra,s
the glare of the lighted candle fnll
upon him, rs he lolled In careless,
easy attitude against the bannisterB,
/ had been prepared for burglar
but / had looked for one attired ac-
cording to the traditions of my ances-
tors But here was gentlemanly,
mild-feHtured individual, such as
should have expected to find filing the
position of professor of Latin-per-
haps of thoology-in Oxford Univer-
sity.
There was no appearance of jimmy.
or tools of any kind. Evidently here
was type of criminal with which his
tory was unacquainted.
| "Madaml' he exclaimed, bowing