The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-11

~ all like to try experiments, and these
were not an exception to the rule. Each
OF the girls promised to try an expert
ment, Then they separated for the night.
1t was little after 10 o'clock when
Nellie got home, and as all the rest of
the family had retired, and the fire had
all died out, she Immediately went up to
her room. Her brother Toms watch tick
ed away noisily as 1t lay on the table by
her bedside, but her book was dull and
ii was a weary task to keep from falling
asleep. She was very much relieved when
the hands pointed to FIVE minutes before
IL.
Then she arose. ped her side combs
into her hair 10 it back from her
face. tied the rlbbon 10 which Toms
watch was fastened around her neck, took
some matches, her sister Ellens hand
mirror, lighted candle. and slip OF
paper. on which a rhyme was written, In
her right hand, and noiselessly opened the
door with her left. The door OF Neds
room across the hall was half way open.
and he was snoring loudly. Ned was Nell
lies brother. two years younger than she.
and he had been out that evening with
some other boys having a lark. He was
not AT home when she came. but she had
heard him enter the house about half-pss,
IL o'clock.
What noise he makesr' she whispered
suspieiously. as she went noiselessly. fear
fully down the hall. and holding up her
night dress with her left hand to keep II
from tripping her. descended the stairs
backwards.
The minutes seemed hours to Ned as ne
listened-he was not snoring now. but SIT
ting up In bed and straining his ears 10
catch every sound.
Slowly. fearfully. Nellie crossed the
kitchen floor, turned the key in the lock.
hesitated a moment. then opened the door.
rush OF wind blew out the light and a
terrified OH" escaped from her lips: hut
on she went. feeling very disagreeable
sensation as her bare feet touched the
damp walk. The cellar opened from the
inside Of the wood shed, and TO reach the
door Of the cellar she had 90 cross the
floor OF the shed. Many half smothered
"Oh. ow, um'n broke from her lips "a
she stepped on the sharp and rough edges
Of the chips strewn about. As she un-
fastened the cellar door she stopped and
waited a moment 10 gather courage, then,
opening Il, whispered. II have seven steps
10 go doen-one--two -three-f0ur-n-
Bat she never finished counting them for
a lepd splash ard terrified Shrek follow
ed close BY The smashiag 81 glass ana
the tricSiing Of some Hgsd on the floor.
broke the stiffness.
NeNis's teeth chartered ana she shook
violently rs she emerged from a tub 81
icy water into which she had fallen, and
ran up the stairs, never once stopping Ia
say "Oh." az she stepped on the chips, or
20 lock the kitchen door She heard a
ehuckie from Ned as abe passed his door.
but it vas too cold TO pay any attention
to II. After substituting dry garments rar
the wet ones. she crept shlverlng info hes.
The wetting did not hurt her. 50 she was
soon sleeping s0undly.
The next morning as Mrs Morley was
getting breakfast she went 20 TIRE wool
shed for some wool Ned had forgotten 20
bring IN ans The evening before The
cellar door was 0pea. and she went "a
ser what was The matter The room WHARF
she slept was some distance from ina
cellar. and she had heard nothing aurinx
the night. she saw a wAshtab nearly Fun
Of water. on the top OF which aoated
several matches and a slip OF writing "a
per. she took the paper out and read
from &.
lie who In the glass T see
shall some time ny husband be-
The lines were written with a lead pen
Gil Mrs Morley looked farther. A partly
burned candle and q bent tin candisstick
isx on the dseS u khs rsxht; The 1isesa