The leader., 1895-09-03

TO tell you. The property owned in
Marvilie has at last found a pur.
chaser, and as real estate has gone up
there | received for it $1,000 in cash.
This money came to me by express this
evening, and as | had NO time to go
back to the bank, must trust 1t 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, land will return
by the night express, SO you may look
for me about two o'clock in the morn
ing. Don't make up your mind to be
miserable while I'm gone, but retire
early and sleep well, and dream pleas
ant dreams about how you will spend
some Of the money you have there"
He was soon gone, and l watched
him until he YVES out of sight; then
turning from the window, threw my.
self into large armchair before the
fire, and did just what Adair had told
me not to do-burst into flood of tears.
After indulging myself in this femi-
mime weakness for about twenty min
utes 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
philosophical turn of mind caused her
to remark: "Well, honey, man he
poses, and God He deposes! Sholy dey
amt no tellin' what a day'll bring
forth! Here we is done bin er working
all day-fer what? Jist to teach you
q lesson in pachunce! and dat you
mustn't set yer heart on muffin in dis
life! Well! ef'n we wants to git these
things put away fore dark, we'd better
git about it. Jemcs, you kin jist fold
up de table linen, and put up de silver,
and I'll tend to putin up de vittles.'
1t took but short time to undo the
work which had occupied us all three
since noon, and after having paid
James and dismissed him, returned
to the parlor, where baby still lay sleep
ing.
AS the rain was now falling in tor
rents. resolved to remain downstairs
until Mammie had finished her nights
work and would be able to accompany
me upstairs. / have never been a
timid woman: but that night, as l sat
alone listening to the wind whistle
about the house corners and driving
the raindrops furiously against the
shutters, feeling of great uneasiness
took possession of me-a strange fore
boding of approaching evil.
In vain did endeavor to shake it
off. When Mammie came in we made
a tour OF inspection to see that the
house was securely fastened, and then
we assembled the stairs to my own
apartments. Thanks to Mammie, a
bright fire was burning in the CRATE,
and when the lamps were lighted
baby opened wide his eyes and an
nounced his intention of keeping
awake. At any other time l should
hac, been impatient at his obstinate
w Ikefulness, but tonight gave him
all the encouragement he needed.
While baby and engaged in a great
romp, Mammic nodded at us from her
seat in the corner. 1t was near twelve
o'clock and still baby seemed not to
grow tired. In leaning forward to
place him on the carpet before me l
distinctly heard noise in the direc-
ton of the bed. Turning my eyes that
way l espied a foot protruding from
under the mosquito bar that fell in
folds to the floor.
NV breath almost left me. l felt
myself grow weak and faint, but sum-
moning all the courage in my nature
went on playing with baby. l
thought of the $4,000 my husband had
given me, and / felt sure that If any.
one had overheard my conversation at
the time he gave me the money, that
person also knew that Adair expected
to reach home at two. 1t was then
nearly twelve, and the robber would
soon grow impatient with waiting,
come out from his place of conceal
ment and demand of me the money,
and, perhaps, murder us all. Some
thing must be done, and done quickly.
After turning over in my mind many
plans of escape from our hidden en-
emy, decided upon this scheme:
.'Mammie." said, IL hear noise
downstairs at the kitchen window. !
believe some one is trying to break
into the house. Wake up, get the can
die and we'll frighten them off. Here
is Adair's pistol; you take baby and
give me the candle. ! am not afraid.
Now follow me-but waitl l have
SO, 900 about me that Adair left in my
keeping, and | must conceal it in this
room for fear of accident. I'll just put
it on the shelf in the closet here until
we return"
So saying 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 bed
room door behind me. Ithen hurricdly
whispered to Mammic what had seen,
and bade her take the candle and &C
ON downstairs with baby, who still
kept up his chatter. took stand al
the door and listened until l heard the
closet door hastily open; steadily
turned the bolt of the chamber door,
rushed toward the closet. slammed and
locked tho door, at the same time call
ing to Mammie to return.
As the closet had been fitted up foi
the reception of our silver. given to u:
as wedding presents. l knew the lock
was strong; and as the burglar hao
been surprised he had about him nc
tools that would enable him to effect
his escape Therefore ] armed myscll
with Adair's pistol. and Mammie and
baby and kept watch over my pris
oner until we were relieved at two
o'clock by the arrival of nv husband.