Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-11-28

drifted together by fate, were shaping
each others destinieg and working out
in their own fashion the strange, intri-
cate ends of human life, there were
human eyes which watched over every
stage Of the performance, and which
were keenly critical Of every actor on
1t. Across the road beyond the green
palings and the close-cropped lawn, be-
hind the curtains of their creeper-
framed windows, sat two old ladies,
Miss Bertha and Miss Monica Williams,
looking out as from private box at all
that was being enacted before them.
The growing friendship Of the three
families, the engagement of Harold
Denver with Clara Walker, the engage
ment Of Charles Westmacott with her
sister, the dangerous fascination which
the widow exercised over the Doctor,
the preposterous behavior Of the
Walker girls and the unhappiness
which they had caused their father, not
one Of these incidents escaped the
notice of the two maiden ladies. Bertha
the younger had a smile or a sigh FOR
the lovers, Monica the elder frown or
shrug for the elders. Every night
they talked over what they had seen,
and their own dull, uneventful life took
a warmth and coloring from their
neighbors az q blank wall reflects a
beacon fire.
And now it was destined that they
should experience the one keen sensa-
ton Of their later years, the one mem
ORable incident from which all future In
cidents should be dated.
1t was on the very night which sue
ceeded the events which have just been
narrated, when suddenly into Monica
Williams head, as she tossed upon her
sleepless bed, there shot a thought
which made her sit up with thrill and
gasp
Bertha" said she, plucking at the
shoulder Of her sister, II have left the
front window OPEN"
mo, Monica, surely not" Bertha sat
up also, and thrilled in sympathy.
IT am sure Of 1t. You remember 1 had
forgotten to water the pots, and then l
opened the window, and Jane called me
about the jam, and have never been
in the room since"
Good gracious, Monica, 1t Is a mercy
that we have not been murdered in our
beds. There was a house broken into
at Forest Hill last week. Shall we go
down and shut it?''
II dare not go down alone, dear, but
If you will come with me. Put on your
slippers and dressing gown. We do not
need candle. Now, Bertha, we Will
go down together.
Two little white patches moved
vaguely through the darkness, the
stairs creaked, the door whined, and
they were at the front room window
Monica closed 1t gently down, and
fastened the snib.
what a beautiful moon! said she,
looking out. 1--WE can see as clearly as
If It were day. How peaceful and quiet
the three houses are over yonder! 1t
seems quite sad to see that TO Let card
upon number one. 1 wonder how num-
Der two will like their going. For my
part I could better spare that dreadful
woman at number three with her short
skirts and her snake. But, oh, Bertha,
look! look!! look!!p Her voice had fall
len suddenly to a qulvering whisper and
she was pointing to the Westmacotts'
house. Her sister gave a gasp OF hor-
ror. and stood with clutch at Monica's
arm, staring in the same direction.
There was a light in the front room,
a slight, wavering light such as would
be given by a small candle or taper
The blind was down, but the light
shone dimly through. Outside in the
garden, with his figure outlined against
the luminous square, there stood man,
his back to the road, his two hands upon
the window ledge, and his body rather
bent as though he were trying to peep
in past the blind. SO absolutely still
and motlonless was he that In spite OF
the moon they might well have over
looked him were 1t not for that tell-tale
light behind.
GOOD heaveng gasped Bertha, ut is
a burglar"
But her sister set her mouth grimly
and shook her head. I'VE shall see"
she whispered. 1T may be something
worse"
Swiftly and furtlvely the man stood
suddenly erect, and began to push the
window slowly up. Then he put one
Rnee upon the sash, glanced round to
see that all was safe, and climbed over
into the room. AS he did so he had to
push the blind aside. Then the two
spectators saw where the light came
from. Mrs. Westmacott was standing,
as rigid as a statue, in the center Of
the room, with lighted taper in her
right hand. For an instant they caught