Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-15

Southern plantations always are-our
nearest neighbor, DIR. Parker, being
probably half a mile away.
Absorbed in my dreamy meditations.
I was fast straying into the region OF
sleep and dreams.
| lay like a lotus-eater, in a half IN
conscious languor. when from DE-
hind the head of my bedstead there
came the sound of a suppressed sneeze.
In an instant my senses were aroused,
and, in a voice which | fain would
have made courageous, | demanded,
boldly:
Who's there"
Silenee-deep and profound. But l
determined to investigate; so, pushing
aside the mosquito bar, | peered be-
hind it and the carved scroll work OF
the rosewood bedstead.
A cry of horror escaped my lips, as a
rough hand grasped my fingers, a dark
beared face, with ferociuos black eyes,
glared into mine, while a hoarse voice
muttered:
Meme o. that now! Just you lay down
again. missus. or I'll give ye a dose o
thisi"
He drew a long, steel knife from his
belt as he spoke. shrank back upon
the pillows powerless to utter a word!
Slowly the rufian pushed aside the
bedstead. and stepped cautiously from
his hiding place. | saw then that he
was stout and muscular, to all appear
anees a Mexican, and probably n OF
the daring, murderous cattle thieves OF
the border. He had undoubtedly enter
ed at the open window and concealed
himself behind my bed.
Weak and feeble as | was, / was
bound to resist. | arose to a sitting
posture, and confronted the burglar.
His malignant eyes were full upon me.
"If you make a noise" he Missed, II
will cut your throat" He paused a
moment, then went on, roughly:
where's the ehink your husband
brought home this morning."
He knew 1t then; I felt a cold shu6-
der of despair creeping my body.
There was a faint noise outside my
room-the sound of heavy footsteps on
the stairs.
Somebody's coming!" he muttered.
"oee here, madame, II you dare to tell
I'll kill you and the old Niger, and
burn the house down."
He seized both my hands in his iron
like grip and bent his dreadful face
close to mine. There was murder in
his eyes.
Promise me that you'll hold your
tongue. II you don't
He drew his knife closer to me;
nearer-nearer came Aunt Chloe's shut
fling step.
Il promise." gasped.
FTLa 49,. - A. ~r4-I 1rl
old Aunt Chloe entered with a cup Of
chocolate.
why, whatever is de matter wild
yer, honey? Sure de poor chile is
gittin' worse!"
She placed the cup upon a table be-
side me and bent anxiously over me.
What should | do? Just then my eyes
fell upon a little notebook, with pencil
attached, which lay at my side, and
upon which in my stronger moments
/ had amused myself and beguiled the
time with f~ragmentary scraps of COM
position. A sudden inspiration fash
ed acros my mind. | thanked God
then that, long ago, | had taught Aunt
Chloe to read and write. | drew the
notebook toward me, enforcing ST.
lence on my %garrulous old nurse by a
worning gesture. With quick institution
she perceived at once that something
was amiss, and stood quietly by until.
with trembling hand, l hurriedly
serawled these words:
Aunt Chloe: There is a robber be-
hind my bed. Do not scream when
you read this; our lives depend upon
you. Go at once to DR.. Parker'S and
tell them to send help-or we shall be
robbed and murdered. Be quiet"
AS the dim eyes of the old woman
glanced slowly owe these words l
grasped her arm to enforce silence. But
there was no need, for Aunt Chloe was
shrewd and sensible. l had just began
to fancy that she had not understood
the import of my words, when she
managed to whisper:
"All right, missy, I'll go in a min
ute. Don't you be afraid"
| smiled. by way of ~reassuring the
good old soul.
She vanished as she spoke, and with
a strange feeling OF terror l lay shiv-
ering, trembling, half insensible.
In a short time felt my bed pushed
softly aside and again the ruffian step
ped forth. This time he held his pis-
toll in his hand.
well, you're a cool one, sure" he
said, gazing at me half admiringly.
Now" he continued roughly, turn
ing the pistol toward me as he spoke,
II want the ~chink-where is it?"
| did not answer.
Come, now, you'd better look sharp;
we'll, never mind, I'm blamed if l
don't believe it's in here"
His hand was on the door Of the
wardrobe. My heart sank like lead in
my bosom. He laid his weapon upon
the table and unlocked the wardrobe,
for the key had been carelessly left in
the lock. 1t was a huge piece Of furni-
ture, without shelves, the garments
hanging from hooks, and in a small
box concealed at the bottom the money
was hidden. / watched the villain
thrust his head into the wardrobe.
Then a sudden thought struck me. II
l could induce him to enter the ward
robe l would lock it's door upon him
and hold him prisoner till help came.
l acted at once on the idea. Half aris-
ing in the bed, as though in a listen
ing attitude, I cried aloud:
Thank God! someone is coming"
The exclamation sounded very fer
vent, although my listening ears could
catch not the faintest sound of a foot
step. But the ruse succeeded. With a
volley of frightful oaths, the burglar