Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-03

the floor, shot from my sight into a small
closet or pantry Immediately slamming the
door, and applying an eye at once to a good
sized knot hole just above the knob. l sup
pose it was the state of my nerves, for L can
make no one quite understand the feeling it
gave me to know that the one staring eye was
upon me and that, whichever way / turned,
it would follow me; follow me as l moved
Miss Brandon in her chair nearer the
smouldering fire, follow me while 1 wrapped
the shawl about her and fercey poked the
sticks of sputtering wood All the time there
was steathy rattling sound coming from
the closet which somehow bore in upon me
tho impression that with one long arm the
woman was gradually raking everything
movable within easy reach. Why, 1 could
not guess until, happening near the door
in my desperate search for drink it was
jerked open few inches and thin skillet
was flung at me through the Aperture.
stop that, woman!" l called sternly for
though the action had broken somewhat the
spell of that immovable eye, the situation
was such a disgraceful one!
Then go away and lemme alone or you'll
git the sad-iron next" came the dogged
answer, and could hear her hard drawn
breath rushing through the keyhole.
There was no time to be lost. l was medi-
tating means Of obtaining what l desired
without misusing the woman when languid
voice recalled me to Miss Brandon's side,
and to my great relief l found her sitting
up, wipng the blood from her face, and look
ing quite herself. ooh do take me out of
this horrid place. she whispered, fearfully,
glaucing at the closet door with such an eX-
preston of terror that l wondered If she,
too could feel that eye upon her.
II must get something to refresh you
first. and something to carry us back to
town." l whispered in return, and then 1
advanced carelessly toward the door, only
to be met with the promised sad-iron,
hurled at me with a right good will. Evil
IDENTIFY our hostess was determined ! should
parley with her only at distance and l saw
that l must humor her, for a nervous cry
from Miss Brandon warned me to tamper
no further with her overstrained nerves.
Madam" l said pleasantly, retreatng
some steps and addressing myself strictly
to the eye, which was again at its post
could you make any use of a S. bill?" And
ostentatiously hourished one before the
knot hole; then placed 1t carelessly on the
table. There was perfect silence at this,
and / produced second. "If So" l said
jauntily, you probably might prefer two"
and / laid a second boldly beside the first.
/ was sure of the eye now; its greedy blink
was not to be mistaken. A moment passed.
then the eye drew back. Plates, cups and
other things ratified a retreat to the shelves;
the door creaked upon its rusty hinges.
First head, and then a neck appeared,
then shoulders, and finally the woman was
before us again, entirely in her dress this
time, and with a consciousness of her bare
feet She crouched down to cover them,
which made her seem more feminine and ap-
proachabe
MY name is Brown she said solemnly,
| saw that her right hand still clutched the
meat knife; but could not resent this.
Are you running off with that girl?" she
burst forth, jerking her thumb toward Miss
Brandon, who turned very red, but looked,
| realized with unreasoning anger more
inclned to laugh than to cast down her
eyes.
"she 10 my sister," l said, looking the
woman shamelessly in the eye, while | saw
with thrill at my heart that Miss Brandon
started and stared at me. Would it occur
to her, then, that felt she needed protec-
tion before tho judgment OF strangers in
thus fearlessly filngiug herself on my honor?
Tho nobler side OF me shrank from seeing
her pretty head droop, and then turn away,
while an irritable longing to see myself re-
garded other than a harmless watch dog,
would jostle itself rudely to the front,
"Humph!" snorted the woman-snorted
is tho word-and then she eyed US fxedly.
II can't say that you look much alike"
A faint geam OF hope lit the gaunt fea-
lures OF Mrs Brown. There was, then, some
prospect of being rid of us II suppose he
might use Cousin Johns horse she said,
talking across to Miss Brandon, as one might
discuss the beef tea OF patient who is not
TO be reasoned with personally.
Cousin John or Cousin Jim, it's all the