The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-08-24

70 tell you. The property i owned In
Marvillc has at last found a pur-
chaser. and as real estate has gone up
there / received for Il $4,000 In cash
This money came TO me by express this
evening, and as had no time to go
back TO the bank. ! must trust IL TO
your care for the night
So saying. he placed the package in
my hands
II shall be In the city only few
hours" he continued. sand 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 we'll, and dream pleas
ant dreams about how you will spend
some OF the money you have there"
lie was soon gone, and | watched
him until he was 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 10 do-bursti into food 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 deposesl Sho'ly dey
amt no tellin' what a dayll bring
forthl Here we is done bin err working
all day--fer what? Jist to teach you
lesson in paehuncei and dat you
mustn't set yer heart on muffin in dis
lifel Welli ef'n we wants to git these
things put away fore dark. we'd better
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."
IL 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. haye never been a
timid woman; but that night, as sat
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 20 shake it
of. When Mammie came in we made
n tour or inspection TO see that the
house was securely fastened, and then
we assembled the stairs to my own
apartments. Thanks 10 Mammic, \
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
hase been impatient at his obstinate
wgxefulness, but tonight gave him
all the encouragement he needed.
While baby and i engaged in n great
romp, Mammie nodded at MS 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
distinctly heard a noise In the direc-
ton of the bed. Turning my eyes that
way cspied a foot protruding from
under the mosquito bar that fell in
folds TO the floor.
My breath almost left me. / felt
myself grow weak and faint, but sum-
moning all the courage in my nature
I went on playing with baby. l
thought OF the $4,000 my husband had
given me, and felt sure that il any
one had overheard my conversation nt
the time he gave me the money, that
person also knew that Adair expected
TO reach home at two. IL 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-
envy, decided upon this scheme:
s'Mammie." said, ~ hear noise
downstairs at the kitchen window
believe some one Is trying 60 break
into the house. Wake up, get the can
die and Wen brighten them of. liere
is Adair's pistol; you take baby and
give me the candle. ! nm not afraid.
Now follow me--but wait / have
81, 900 about me that Adair left in my
keeping, and | must conceal 1t in this
room for fear OF accident. I'll just put
IL 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 Mammic,
went out into the hall, closing my bed
room door behind the. then hurriedly
whispered to Mammie what | bad seen,
and babe her take tho candle and go
on downstairs with baby. who still
kept zap his chatter. took stand ut
the door and listened until heard the
closet door hastily open; steadily /
turned the bolt OF the chamber door,
rushed toward the closet. slammed and
locked the door, at the same time call
ing TO Mammie to return.