Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-08-26
SIT is, indeed, nv little wife. but it

tears, and my face must have given
expression to my feelings, for my hus
band drew me close within his arms
and said: Don't give way to those
feelings, but listen to me. I have
some good news to tell you. The
property owned in Marville has at
last found purchaser, and as real es-
tate has gone up there 1 received for
it $4,000 in cash. The money came to
me by express this evening, and as I
had no time tc go back to the bank,
must trust it to your care for the
night"
So saying, he placed the package in
my hands.
81 shall be in the city only few
hours" he continued, and will return
by the night express, you may look
for me about o'clock in the morning.
Don't make up your mind to be mis-
cradle while I'm gone, but retire early
and sleep well, and dream pleasant
dreams about how you will spend some
of the money you have there"
He was soon gone, and watched him
until he was out of sight, then turn
ing from the window, l threw myself
into large armchair before the fire,
and did Just what Adair had told me
not to do-burst into hood~of tears
After indulging myself in this fem
inlne weakness for about twenty min
utes l felt equal to the task of break
ing the news of great disappointment
to Mammie. When [ had told her of
Adair's return and departure, her phil
osophical turn of mind caused her to
remark: "Well, honey, man he poses,
and God He desposes Sho'ly dey
amt no tellin' what day'll bring
forth Here we is done been er work
in all day--fer what? Jist to teach
you a lesson in pachunce and dat you
mustn't set yer heart on muffin in dis
life Well ei'n we wants to git these
things put away fore dark, we'd bet
ter git about it. Jemes you kin jist
fold up de table linen, and put up de
silver, and I'll tend to putin up de
vittles."
1t took us but short time to undo
the work which had occupied us all
three since noon and after having
paid James and dismissed him, re-
turned to the parlor where baby still
lay sleeping.
As the rain was still falling in tor
rents, i resolved to remain down stairs
until Mammie had finished her nights
work and would be able to accompany
me up stairs. l have never been a
timid woman /; but that night, as sat
alone listening to the wind whistle
about the house corners and driving
the rain drops furiously against the
shutters, n feeling of great uneasiness
took possession of me-a strange fore
boding of approaching evil
In vain did l endeavor to shake it
off. When Manmie came in we made
a tour of inspection to see that the
house was securely fastened, and then
we ascended the stairs to my own
appointments. Thanks to Mammie, O
bright fire was burning in the CRATE.
and when the lamps were lighted baby
opened wide his eyes and announced
his intention of keeping awake. At
any other time should have been i'm
patient at his obstinate wakefulness,
but tonight / gave him all the en-.
couragement he needed. While baby
and 1 engaged in great romp, Nam
ME nodded to us from her seat in the
corner. 1t was twelve o'clock and
still baby seemed not to grow tired
In leaning forward to place him on
the carpet before me. / distinctly
heard a noise in the direction of the
bed. Turning my eyes that way es-
| r,Ip6 fro I,o
mosquito bar that fell in folds to the
floor.
My breath almost left me. l felt
myself grow weak and faint, but SOM
moning all the courage in my nature
went on playing with baby. l
thought of tho $4,000 which my hus-
band had given me, and | felt sure
that if any one had overheard our
conversation at the time he gave the
money, that person also knew that
Adair expected to reach home at 2.
1t was then nearly II, and the robber
would soon grow impatient with wait
ing, come out from his place of con-
cealment and demand of me the money,
and, perhaps, murder us all. Some
thing must be done, and done quick
ly. After turning over in my mind
many plans of escape from our hidden
enemy, l decided upon this scheme:
"Mammie," l said, 81 hear noise
downstairs at the kithen window. l
believe some one is trying to break
into the house. Wake up-get the
candle, and we'll frightem them off,
Here is Adair's pistol; you take baby
and give me the candle. / an not
afraid. Now follow me-but wait l
have $4,000 about me that Adair left
in my keeping, and I must conceal it
in this room for fear of accident III
just put it on the shelf in the closet
here until we return"
So saying I opened the closet door
and pretended to hide away the pack
age. Coming out, closed the door
tightly, and, followed by Mammie,
went out into the hall, closing my