The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-05
A Spiders Web. 4


"But p'raps YOU could slip the bolt
back without any one seeing you?' art
lessiy suggested Bell Murray 1T would
be such joyful surprise 10 Maggie To see
me there where she least expected me,
Yes. / could do that" hestatingly
answered Peggy; that IS, II you're quite
sure Maggie would not be angry With me
after"
Angry with you. She would bless you
for IT," was the enthusiastic re1oinder OF
the cunning thieves tout. She would
lay down her life TO see her mother, only
she daren't offend her mistress"
And may | not give Maggie the least
hint Of who's coming Co speak 20 her az
the window" asked Peggy, who did not
feel quite easy In having a hand in such
mysterious doings, though joyful thrill
told her that the half-crown nesting in
her palm would buy her brother strong
pair OF secondhand boots the moment
she could find time 10 buy them for him.
mo. no; the surprise will be the best
hurriedly returned Bell Murray. And
now IN case should never see you again,
goodbye
The lsdylike figure in MORNINGS was
gone, and Peggy turned TO resume her
pitchers and her trudging up TO the
house alluded To as Hill View villa. She
being a privileged and regular visitant,
did not pause to ring the kitchen bell.
and wait till gate and door were opened
10 her, hut pressing open the gate, walked
straight i'm with merely a light tap at the
door, before entering. When she stood
within the kitchen she found IL deserted,
tnOuSn inc customary Dish STOOD ready on
the clean dresser for the milk Peggy
measured out the milk. and peeping into
the scullery. found N also empty. Then
the thought OF the curious task allotted TO
her came swiftly TO mind, and. with
something like guilty nush mounting her
cheeks she stole towards the window,
and with some difficulty drew back the
rusty fastening, destroying as she did so
spiders web, which had held the undis-
turbed possession of the spot for years.
A sound OF some one tripping lightly
down stairs from above, and singing
blithely as they came. drew her hurriedly
out OF the place TO the milk can and
measures at the kitchen dresser, and
brought the first twinge OF conscience re-
garding the secret mission.
surely" she said 10 herself as Mag
gle Gray hustled into the kitchen and
greeted her with kind smile. surely
am not doing something wrong-some-
thing which Mrs. Naismlth would quar-
rel me for II she found IL out?"
oh, Peggy, is that your said the SER
I'm. but thought you were gone long ago"
Peggy Redeemed furiously. though why
she knew not and the servant noted the
circumstance, TO recall il afterwards with
interest. IL was unusual for Peggy 10
blush so guiltily, and that fact, ! sup
pose. caused the confusion TO be remem-
bered. AS IL was Maggie thought she
OWNED the cause OF Peggy's lettering
and. calling her back, thrust paper OF
broken meats into her hand, saying. with
womany tact, that Peggy could eat IL
the day. When near the end OF her
round. she WAS again accusted By Bell
Murray, who appeared Intensely grateful
for Peggy's goodness I'm unfastening the
window and after enjoining her 10 keep
the fact TO herself. disappeared I'm the di-
rection of Jlill View villa. with the
avowed intention cf seeing her daush-
ter Maggie
AS a matter of fact. no one called upon
Maggie Gray that day: but in the mid
die Of the night she was awakened by tl~
sound OF some one--a man, she thought
walking through the room next 10 that In
which she slept. Maggie was not lack
ing in courage. and though all the other
servants slept In the attics she at once
slipped out of bed and crept TO the door
OF the room TO listen. Through the key
hole she caught sight Of a fash OF light,
and among a string OF whispered impre-
cations heard the words. Bell was
right-here's something worth lifting at
last"
There's robbers I'm The house." was
Masgies Mortified exclamation as she
staggered back, half faipting with fear.
How could they have got in, when
closed and barred every Shutter and door
myself
Maggie could have screamed, and so
alarmed and reused the other servants !;
but her nrst thought Was to get out of
the house unseen. give the alarm to a
policeman, and have the thieves trapped.
things. and waited breat thlessly I'LL the
men moved to the front Of the house. as
she thought. when she opened the door
and glided out into the lobby. where she
was instantly felled like an OK. She had
fallen with one cruel blow, which had
been delivered full on tho temple with
some blunt instrument. probably a
"neddy, and, | was inclined TO think,
had been heard moving, and deliberately
waited for by the housebreakers.
IA