The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-08-19

| several good revolvers and no one ever
molested US, SO I had grown accus-
toned to having the money in the
house. The sum had been steadily in
creasing and one night William re-
marked: "a hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars is considerable money for
| a poor man to have in his house"
OF late 1 had caught in my husbands
face a new expression, one OF dreaming
and also look of determination, but as
he never explained his abstraction, l
| did not question him.
The autumn was well advanced and
one day the clouds threatened storm as
William and l drove rapidly home.
The wind swept down from the noun
tain with stinging, icy breath, and as
we alighted at our door swirl of snow
came down upon us, so our CHEEKY sit
ting-room seemed doubly delightful In
contrast with the storm without.
William seemed to brighten under the
CHEEKY influence of hot dinner and
fragrant cigar, and as he sat in the fit
full freight looking so strong and
handsome, with his fine figure, his
glowing black eyes and bright color. l
felt thrill of Joy that he was mine.
| Suddenly he arose and coming over to
me, said:
"Annie, I have an engagement with
Mr.. Thomas tonight to consult some
men about certain bonds we are to take
up. in a few days, and, although the
night is stormy, 1 must go back to
town. do not like to leave you, dar-
ling; but you are such brave little
woman I know you will not be afraid.
You know l have the money for the
bonds in the house, but, as no one but
Mr.. Thomas, you and know it, there
can be no danger"
felt wave of apprehension-or
was it a premonition of evil?-sweep
over me, and could only manage to
say: "Oh, must you really go?" When
there was a tap at the door and Tillie
came in to say that an old peddler
| sought shelter from the storm.
| William went to the Kitchen, but
| presently returned and said: Annie,
| the man is old, and the night is so bad
I have allowed him to remain and !
think that after you see him you will
feel that it is better than to send him
on; and, too, am sure you will feel
| more secure to have man in the
| house,.
My soul took greater alarm at the
| thought Of strange man and SO much
money in the house; but I tried to hide
my cowardly feeling under cheerful
| face. William took me in his arms and
kissed me tenderly, almost too tender
ly for an evenings parting, but the
memory of that kiss is with me ever.
assisted him to make ready for the
cold trip to town, as he insisted upon
walking, saying that he would be bet
ter off than in the buggy. muffled him
we'll and as stood on the step after he
went away it seemed that real west
ern blizzard was beginning to rage,
| and when I closed and barred the door
felt it tightening around my heart, a
mingling Of fear and grief.
However, 1 went to the kitchen to
look at the peddler and found little,
decrepit Jew of whom no one needed
to be afraid, but warned Tillie not
| to tell him we were alone and to take
him upstairs to bed at once. Then we
piled wood upon the fire and barred
every window, and l sat down with
book to read until bedtime. -
| / had been reading two or three
hours, perhaps, when l thought |
heard q sound outside, but listened
and all was still. l closed my book and
went up to my room to prepare for
bed, for my husband would probably
not return before midnight. Twas sur
prised to find it was not later than ten
o'clock, for the time seemed much
longer with William away.
Suddenly I heard a sound that made
my heart stand still. 1t was steady
creak as though made by saw or
| some tool, and as it seemed directly be-
| low me l crept out into the hall and
strained my ears to listen. Again l
heard it distinctly. 1t seemed to come
| from the sitting-room window, the
| shutters of which were fastened by q
| heavy wooden bar. l went back to my
room and stood well-nigh paralyzed
by fear; but l determined to know
what it was, SO went TO my window,
softly unlocked and pushed open the
shutter so could see down to the
window below.
| My worst fears were realized, for, by
the fitful light of lantern resting on
| the snow, I saw the outline Of three
figures.
| I closed my window and my mind
seemed to shake off its terror, as
! tried to determine what to do. Then
the thought darted through me that
the old peddler was an accomplice. l
went to his room and found him sleep
| ing peacefully, so felt relieved from
him and said: For the love of God,
help me! There are burglars at my
| Hipdow!"
| He wastawake In an instant and said
with great fervor: depend upon me-
madam" so l aroused Tillie and we
three stood together on the landing
| the peddler holding revolver in his
hand.
If William were only here to protect
the money entrusted to his care! AS
listened a new terror seized upon me
and with this thought came the reali-
zation that he might return home any
time, and if so would surely be muir
dered.
Presently the old peddler crept
downstairs and in a loud voice demand
ed: who's there2"
There was no response, but almost
| instantly the shutter was thrown open