The Monmouth inquirer., 1897-07-22

chair. The WOmaQ'S eyes looked ulsa
greeably black and sharp above th'
white bandage.
II would work myself to death rath
er than have her here, said Ellie, go
ing about the house. fastening th'
doors and windows, after learning tina
Paul had retired.
When she went to her chamber shl
found the mastiff Sultan lay on the rus
beside her bed. The dog was fond o
her, but he never had come to her room
before. Being tired she made no at
tempt to send him out, but let him bt
there. And after while, finding tha
3 she could not sleep, she was rather glat
to have him there.
In spite of all efforts she could moi
sleep. More than she at first knew, the
appearance of the stranger had excited
her She could not cease to think OF
her In the darkness she saw those
fierce black eyes, that bandaged face
that mysteriously enyeloped figure
\ Why had Paul Lacy detected nothing
unusual? The appearance of this wo-
man seemed to her most repugnant and
suspicious Ellie's cheek burned fever
/ ishly in the darkness. She heard the
clock strike twelve. A moment after
ward she heard a step, slow creeping
step, in the hall Her head started from
its pillow to listen; the sound, ceased
But her heart beat so furiously that any
inconsiderable noise would have been
drowned. But now the house seemed
quite still; the darkness was intense
Ellie strained eyes and ears, but saw
! nothing, heard nothing.
1T is just nervousness, she said, af-
ter a while, lying down again. III
there was anything wrong, Sultan
would bark.
Sultan did not stir, and she could not
see his bright half opened eyes.
But sleep would not come, and Ellie
continued to hear faint unusual sounds.
Something seemed to whisper in her
ear. There is danger Her heart beat
heavily.
Suddenly she heard, most distinctly.
a cautious step upon the stair. 1t was
no dream, no nervous fancy.
~Robbersn casper Ellie. She start
ed up.
One entrance of her room opened
upon the stairs-another upon cham
bers communicating with a distant
staircase, whereby she could reach
Paul's room. The step was coming
steadily up as she leaped to the floor
and few to the opposite entrance.
AS she groped for the door handle she
heard the step enter the room The
door she was trying would not open; it
was locked upon the other side. Sick
with horror she looked over her shoul-
der and saw in the gloom tall figure,
! -, -Sx
turned toward her. Shrek after shrek
burst from her lips.
There was growl, a leap, a bulky
form flying through the darkness, fall
and then a horrible silent struggle. The
floor shook, the wondows shivered in
their panels. A hollow groan. Then
all was still. Ellie, in her terror, seem
ed to have lost her senses, when she
heard strong voice calling her:
"Elliei"
With three bounds, Paul Lacy, with
| light in his hand, reached the top OF
the staircase.
By the distant locked door stood the
quivering white form of the young girl
and prone upo nthe floor, before him
/ lay the figure of man, with grea
/ mastiff over him. Sultan gave the up
/ turned throat a shake and walked tt
! his master.
Ellie, you are not hurt?" were mu
4 Lacy's first words.
NO." she faltered.
HE was a robber," said Lacy, hold
ing the light to the dead face. ''All my
valuables are collected for removal IL
the room below"
He returned down stairs, Ellie ant
the dog with him. In the basket upon
the table were two watches, money and
table silver. The unspoken thought il
both minds made them turn toward the
door of the new servant.
Paul knocked, then opened the door
The apartment was unoccupied. The
female disguise was strewn about, anc
beside the bed stood a pair of unmis-
| taxable mans boots. There was pis-
| tol case open on the table, scent oi
liquor in the room. The new servant
had been man.
Paul opened the carpet bag. 1t con-
tanned burglars tools, flask of whis-
key, a case of jewelry, probably stolen
and black mask.
1--WE have just escaped being muir
dered in our beds. If l had not beer
worried so for help, | should have beer
more cautious" said Paul Lacy.
20, please don't get any more, sob
bed Ellie, even then not forgetting hel
1 grievance Il will keep house for you
They went back to examine the deac
man. He was dark, evil-looking fel
low, with black beard upon his chin
which the bandage had concealed, ant
a scar across his cheek. AT daybreaA
| his body was given in charge of tht
officers at Munroe, and proved to have
been a most dangerous character.
And what did Paul Lacy do for help
In three days Ellie abundantly proved
to him that she could manage th'
household. At the end of that time
i there arrived, through Miss Emeralda''
not unkind exertions, a stout and faith
full negro girl, and Paul Lacy married
pretty Ellie, and made her Chloe's mis-
tress. If he had searched the worlt
4 over, he could not have found bette
wife-as time has proved.
Sacurfua an Audience,