Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-09-14

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Thanks, stunt! Iron il soft a.
feathers for me 10 lie on laughed
Kate.
You needn't lie on that side Of
the bed at all, was the cool reply.
There's . man in the kitchen as
says he hasn't had . mouthful to
eat for ten days,' said Nora, the
servant, appearing ct the door.
THE farm is only q mile futher
on. Send him about his business, :
answered her mistress.
Norah went ont.
Soon . figure clothed in rags
went by the open window.
The man turned and shook his
clenched Est at the astonished la
dy.
'Of all thingsl The impudent
thingp she gasped.
s0h, but aunt, I'm sure he has
heard al that We said about that
horrid money 2 faltered Kate.
Mrs. Driscoll's face told the con-
Germ which she felt, bnt she turned
her back upon her neice and took
up a book.
Darkness came.
The lights in the house we're ex-
.ingnished at the usual time.
Kate could not sleep. In vain
she counted slowly from one hum
dred 20 one, and said the letters Of
the alphabet backward.
She heard the village clock slow
IL strike the hour Of midnight, then
one. two and three.
Kate's apartment was dark, but
the moon shone dimly into her
aunt's room just across tie hall.
Suddenly, a form stood in the
doorway, then vanished within.
Yves it the tramp? Was that
something in his hand, a knife?
Kate stole softly through the
doorway, listening breathlessly.
Then she darsed into q small room,
near Mrs. Driscoll's door.
Suddenly, the door was noise
lesslv closed, and man stood 30
near her hiding place that she could
hear his hurried breathing.
The faint odor Of chloroform told
why the door was closed.
What if he gave an overdose?
Kate loved the stern woman. and
notwithstanding her timidity, that
thought nerved her to action.
She sprang from the room with
. shrill CRY, clutching both hands
in the hair of the intruder. It is
needless TO say that he was startled
out Of what little common sense he
possessed.
He threw her violently aside with
. muttered oath and fed. But he
left a generous lock of hair in her
hands.
Her head struck q corner of the
door in falling, and it was dawn
when she awoke to full conscious
ness Of what had happened.
WoEanlike, she rushed to see if
the iron box was still safe. IL had
not been disturbed. Then she
threw open the door Of Mrs. Dris-
coils room. That lady was uncon-
scious, bat breathing evenly.
Hates courage returned.
Silently she opened the window.
letting the fresh morning air draw
freely through the room. Then
she crept into her own bed to wait
developments.
Before sunrise Mrs. Driscoll
awoke.
Mercy on Hsp she screamed.
sNorah did not shut the window
last night. shall get my death
cold. Kates'
But Kate did not stir until her
name had been called several times
then she answered drowsily.
Get up, child It's your wed
ding day, too, and ! in danger of
pneumonia called her aunt.
Kate shnt the window and help
ed the irate lady to dress, touching
her hair with dainty, eoothing fing-
ers as she arranged it.
The household arose and went
about its tasks. Visitors came and
went. Kate kept her secret well
The ceremtlny was over which made
her o wife. The bridal dress was
exchanged for q travelling costume.
i shall take the iron box to the
bank as we 60 to the train. aunti.. ;
Kate sale a. she babe her good-by.