The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-01-03

Sront OF her she saw man. The cir
was on the point OF screaming. but ever
AT THIS dreadful moment she remembered
that II her aunt should be startled no
pody could know what might happen, and
80 she clarpcd her hand to her mouth
one SprnhE back. however. She could
not help that. and at the same momont
the man stepped into the hall
You are right" hr said in wbispcr
and looking nj the hand which was still
over MarEry'S mouth. IL understand. |
won't make the least noise in the world
Let me shlt the door. | can do it very
quietly" wy
IT the cold air which rushed in through
the open doorway had frozen Marcy ms
stih as statue she could not have bccn
more incapable OF speaking or moving
than she was at that moment. IL sbe
hao dared t" cry for help or tried to run
away, Sh" would not have been able to
uo ei'ner. she stood and stared, whittier
nan !nc moonlight. The man was re-.
Fastening the door. and as he did ca :,
ray OF blessed relief came into the mind
or Margry. He had put down on thc
hoor ralise and IN umbrella. Surely
| II" burglar, no wicked man OF any sort
would 20 about with Il valiSc and an nm
n.rla, ana he seemed to know all about
Fastening doors without making n noise
Ihr ray OF relief was very little raw
but it revived Margcy sufficiently to on,
able her TO drop her hand from hcr
| mouth.
1he man now stepped toward the Ii
| Drary door, and with one finger ON hi.
lip he brckoned to Margcy. She wus So
aSlohiShcd at this action that almost
"thout rolition she followed him. She
was so thoroughly frightened that she
cOnIl do hi,,,,
even the strength to diSobry, but rs sho
stepped into the library she huggcd to
hcr heart the Thought OF the umbrella
and the valiSe. The man took from, hi.
pocket Il box Of matches. and. striking
match he stepped without the sliyht.
est hesitation To the corner OF the man
tclp"cc on which stood a great candle
stick. and lighted the candle. Then hc
quietly closed the door.
II do that" he said. because If Won,
aunt should hear our voices and he star
licd there Is no knowing what miybt
happen"
How could he know that?" Morpcv
asked herself. and third ray OF com
."rt M"@ added To that furnished by the
umbrella ana ,yalisc. In the Light of thn
candle MargCy coulo 81, ,hat the man
was rather short, very well wrapi;cI mn
ne removed. showing Il head OF reddish
brown hair little curlcd and with
some Sir"akS OF gray on the Temples
Ills race looked as il he had lived ont
or doors good deal in ali sorts OF wcath
er but his eyes were bright, and There
was pleasant expression about the
mouth. as il he would be glad to laugh If
there were anything to laugh at.
II was very. very good OF YOU" h.
SAID, still speaking in an undcrtonc, "to
come down and let me in You must
nave seen me from your window | was
AFRAID there was no one awake in the
mouse. heard You at work at the bolt
and the chain. and ] knew why YOU were
so slow and so quiet. or course | can.
not be mistaken in supposing you to be
Miss Griffith"
Now Margcy found her vocc-that is,
little OF it, Yes" she said. "and who,
beg OF you, sir-who are you?"
nm John Brundcr. your uncle's
brother. Surely you have heard of me?"
"A very little" said Margcy.
And how much. may | ask?" he said.
showing some surprise.
never heard you mentioned but
once. she replied, "and that was one
day when | found Aunt Ellen in one of
tn" bedrooms which | had not seen be-
49, wv '''i IhNlllR always DceD lock |
cd"
"IIad it bcdstcad in it." said bc
with n curved footboardY
"Ycs. II had" said Margcy. moro and
more relief coming into her mind each |
iromcnt
And did you notice anything in the
way Of sporting articlcs-guns boxing |
glovcs?"
eyes" said Margcy. "There were box
Ing gloves and foil, on the wall at tho |
hcnd OF the bed and two guns on n |
rack. and there were some cases in the |
corner which looked as II they held fish.
Ing rods was surprised to see these
things and asked Aunt Ellen to whom
they belonged. She said that the room
used 20 be occupied By Uncle -Horacc's
brother John. but that he did not
here now"
rs that all she told you?' he asked
Every word" said Margey.
He gave his head a little nod. "per.
haps II was as we'll" he said "Thcre's
no use In raking up disagreeable things
before young people. But | am glnd TO
hear that my old room is kept just as II
used to be. That's a good slster-ip.low
OF mine. and hope may not do a thins
to startle her, knowing as / do that no
one could tcll''-
What might happen" added Marcy
But you ought to know all about me"
said he. 1T Will not do for you to be liz.
norant any longer, especially as you were
30 good as to come down to let mo In"
But | didn't" said Margey. "I didn't
come down to let you in"
"Then who. In the name OF common
sense. did you ask to come In t? There wns
nobody but me on the porch"
II opened the door for the New Year
to come in" said Margcy.
John Brunder stood and looked at her
In amazement. and then Margcy. who had
almost recovered her self possess ion. told
him all about it,
"Well, well, WE'LL" he exclaimed.
You're the kind OF girl like. | knew
that niece Of my brothers. wife was liv.
Ing here, but | had no idea she was such
h-such girl as you are! What is your
name?'
"Margcy."
Miss Margey," said John Brundcr, OK.
tending his hand. 81 wish you very hap.
py New Year.
"The same to you. SIR" said she, civ.
Ing him her hand.
And now you want to know why !
don't live here" said John Brunder.
: You certainly have n right to know, and
will tell you in ms few words as possible.
was born In this house and have lived
here good deal, off and on, and the last