The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-09
AFnisll him, Ike, il he trys that on

~ All
In moment all was clear to me.
Those men whom / had met were some
desperadoes, who. hearing Of my grand
fathers peculiar habits, and perhaps
aware Of his receiving some large sums
Of money that day, had determined
upon robbing the house, feeling safe IN
the absence of any near help.
They had been accommodating this
morning and doubtless their pretended
bags Of pictures we're filed with tools.
In an agony Of helplessness | sat trying
10 scheme some means Of help
to prevent what might be muir
der. An age Of thoughts seemed
consumed, and yet no tangible
aid had struck me. To get assistance
seemed ont Of the question, it being a
full half mile to any house from the
Nest.
What could be done? Tortured aud
agiteted with thoughts like these, an
eternity Of pain appeared to drag its
way during those few seconds Of per
plexity.
Hal a thought Ny mind saw but
one slender chance of saving the old
man, but at all risks that should be
tried Sliding cautiously from the bed
10 the floor. Il groped on the washing
stand for the phosphorus
Once found, it needed but q moment
TO cover my face with it. Then pass
ing my hand over the breast Of the old
night-g0wn, the representative Of the
winding sheet in our intended theat-
ricals, to feel if the piece Of red ribbon
I representing the ill-used false heirs
fatal wound) was safe. / opened my
chamber door.
With a silent prayer for the success
Of my scheme, tremblingly tiptoed
down the flight Of stairs which separ-
ated my grandfather's bedroom from
my own. at the outside Of his door /
gave a great gulp to swallow the ire
pressible feelings labored under, and
softly turned the handle My suspi-
cions were but too true. Extended on
the bed lay the gaunt figure Of the old
man.
Bending over him, with the horny
knuckles Of his hand buried deep in
my grandiaiher's throat, stood the big
ger ruilian Of my mornings encounter.
Nimbly fitting around the room, aud
opening noiselessly the bureau, chest,
and old-iashioned desk Of my relative,
was the ferret-eyed scoundrel.
1t presented a strange picture 70 me-
standing in deep shadow. The bright
moonlight streaming over the bed gave
a lurid light 10 the CLEAN Of the old
mans eyes as lac essayed yaialy to
shrek for help.
The giant form Of the burglar stand
I ing over him looked like some evil
spirit Of legendary lore, while the fam
tastic motions Of his companion might
well have passed for those Of an attend
ant imp.
The time for action had arrived.
Moving stealthily forward INTO the CEN
ter Of the room, where the pale moon
beams gave full play 10 the ghastly
scintillation Of the phosphorus, and
pointing my hand 10 my apparently
CORY breast, said in a hollow voice
: / am hcrei7
cannot describe the scene that en-
sued Surprised at the strange voice,
the mea turned simultaneously. Lam
guaqe cannot paint the look Of the two
faces. For a moment they seemed
spellbonnd. as though held in the ST.
lence Of terror by an extremity ol
horror
This was but for a moment With 9
spring ike that Of wildcat on his
prey, tbs wouidbe robber who wa.
holding ny grandfather reached. the
window. His friend. II is needless q
say. was not long behind him With
out a thought Of their necks they leap
affrighledly 10 the ground. Up 10 thi'
moment indomitable will had sustained
me. but no sooner did become con
vinced Of their genuine retreating foot
steps than with faint cry ! fell heav
ily % the gr6und
When Ireopened my eyes / was if
the arms Of my grandfather who wa
tenderly nursing me, while the gray
dawn Of a winters morning was sui
lenly breaking. will not speak Of IA,
exlrayagances Of the old man IN hi
gratitude. but ! viii mention wha
seemed 70 me the greatest proof Of hi
I LNNNNANiANNof anu AAAN WIS AAA wa AttiA
fed consent TO the production Of ou
drama some few nights after.
10 is pleasant 10 chronicle It's entir
success, which. / may mcdestly add
was Indebted ii a great measure to thl
ee' 'ebnty. the spectral effec. had at
tained
Up to the time Of my grandfather
death he always insisted upon the ob
serrance Of the anniversary Of th
ghosts appearance.
] have little to add. save to recor,
the fate 81 the two villains The
were captured some months ailefwarl
and tried for the murder of an old lad.
under peculiarly cruel circumstance
The shorter Of the two exniated hi
crime or the scaflold. while mis- broihe
criminal was condemned 10 hfe-lon.
imprisonment
And this. reader, is how became
hero.
Waiting FOR a Cue.
Guest lin hotel bedroom. shiyering
- Cold as all out-doorsl j want fire