The Van Buren press., 1894-07-14

it wasn't my fancy. Ibid see the eyes
move!
What must do? l ought to looli
again, but l am afraid look fright
ened. But the lamp is shaded, SO the
light will not fall on my face, and the
color will hide my pale cheeks. Imust
look, and then l shall decide wha,
to do"
Summoning all her courage. Gladys
rose from her seat and slowly walked
towards the picture, gazing steadily at
the face, studying its every line with
loving eyes; or SO it seemed. Her sus-
picions were confirmed, the eyes did
move! Blindly and confusedly Gladys
stumbled back to her seat, and then
sat gazing before her in perplexity and
horror. But one conclusion was pos
sible to her. Some one had got behind
che picture and was hiding there. He
must have heard about the diamonds
and have some idea of stealing them.
That was the only clear thought of
which Gladys was conscious for some
time. She dared not go to the bell,
that would arouse suspicion at once.
She sat quite still, until she had re-
gained her self-control, then rising
again, she strolled lazily towards the
door, kissing her hand to the picture
and saying: Good night dear love,
good night"
Then she slowly opened the bed
room door. and . magnificent collie
dog bounded in, whining with delight
and almost upsetting her with his
clumsy affection. But in another Sec
ond he became uneasy, and snuffed
about the room with a low growl.
"Why. Bruce" said the girl, taking
his head in her hands, and looking
steadily into his almost human eyes.
II want you to take care of your
masters portrait: you have often done
it before, you dear old dog. You love
him nearly rs much as l do, don't
you?"
Bruce seemed to understand that he
was to be quiet. and laid down, where
his mistress pointed, looking out of the
corners of his eyes, rs much as to say:
II suppose You know what you are do
ing, but don't see what you are driv-
ing at, and don't half like the job"
Then he licked his lips uneasily. and
settled down to his work, silent and
watchful rs Cerberus himself; only
showing his teeth At intervals to show
what he would like to do if he had his
own way.
Gladys lost no time now in getting
out of the room, though she did it with
out any appearance Of hurry. In less
than Eve minutes her brother Harold
and two of the menservants were
silently and shoelessly, If may coin q
word, making their way to his sisters
bedroom They only half believed her
story, but were soon undeceived. They
had nearly reached the door when they
heard crash, followed by growl and
q terrified cry. When they entered the
painting lay on the ground. with two
holes where the eyes should have been,
and hslf-sitting. half-crouching on the
6helf was . big. rouRh-looking man,
held by the leg by an enemy more to
be dreaded than the human foes now
approaching
The strangers neither garments were
loose, SO the dog had not really hurt
him, but his cleaning teeth and fash
ing eyes terrified the thief more than
fear Of prison or treadmill
Take your dog Of, he cried. again
and again. And even when Bruce had
very unwillingly released his victim,
the dogs fearful presence subdued him
SO completely, that he was made pris-
oner without any difficulty.
BY this time all the household was
assembled, and some attempt was
made to learn what had really hap
pened. But rs everyone was asking
questions and not waiting for the an
swers; or describing the circumstances
of their awakening and the terrible