Morris tribune., 1902-04-05
! 81 e q Il + e Il II - e Il q
(, A Blessing J
! Of Silence !
90 Il IL 81 81 IL 81 ii IL 81 81 81


Re began housekeeping in one Of the
fats down near the ferry. A Ger
man family occupied half our fiat,
and their twin children were born
deaf mutes. It was from this con-
tiguity that John and I learned the
sign language.
We had been married five years,
and John had become junior men,
Der of the firm that once employed
him, and the suit of rooms in the
flat had been exchanged for pleas
ant residence in a very respectable
part of the city.
One cold, stormy night in Febru-
AIRY, just after the shutters had been
closed and the curtains drawn, John
came in hurriedly and without
speaking went quietly up stairs. I
was surprised, for he did not usual
~ leave the store until 8 o'clock,
and it was then but half past 6.
When he came into the parlor
few minutes later, I inquired anx-
iously if he we're i'll. Before an
.swering me he closed the door lead
ing into the living room, and then,
drawing a chair close to mine, he
said in low voice:
Il did not mean to say anything
to you about it, Marion, but you are
such brave little woman [ am sure
I can trust you.
can attempt to blow the safe was
made last night, and the adroit way
in which the would be burglar man
aged to cover up his work leads us
to anticipate repetition of the visit
tonight. In order to thwart the gen
tleman's designs have brought the
money and valuables home and have
put the box containing the treasure
In the lower drawer Of the secretary
that stands in our room"
GLOW much money is there in
it ?''' I asked, trying to speak in my
natural voice.
NEARLY s15,ooO," answered John
in whisper.
"Why didn't you put it in the
bank for safe keeping?" asked un-
easily.
''That was the arrangement, but
Brown, the assistant cashier, whose
business it was to attend to it, for
got his errand until the bank was
closed" replied John. 'FDon't wor-
ny anything about it, dear. You are
the only one outside of the firm that
knows what disposition has been
made of the money, and tomorrow it
will be placed in the bank"
I was satisfied with the explana-
tion and thought no more about the
box up stairs until after the clock
had warned for 8, and it was not
probable that I would have thought
of it then had not John been order
ed off on one of his midnight jour-
neys. Just before he started he put
the key of that box in my hand, say
ing:
'FWhen Mr.. Mowry calls for the
money, give him this. will not be
home in time to look after it before
the bank closes tomorrow"
I felt queer futtering in the re-
gion of my heart when John kissed
me goodby, but 1 made myself be-
lieve that | was very brave and at
my regular time for retiring went to
my room, cautioning Abram, as usu-
al, to see that the doors were all Sc
curely fastened. After went up
stairs I weakened little and was
onsShe point of calling Betty to sleep
in my room; but, fearing that John
would laugh at my cowardice, I
summoned all my courage to my aid
and was soon sleeping as peacefully
as baby.
, I must have slept soundly or I
would have heard the creak of the
wardrobe door and the stealthy step
of the tall, lank figure that emerged
therefrom. AS it was, the first init
NATION that had of the presence of
an unwelcome guest was hoarse
whisper in my ear:
{ "Where is that iron box which
your husband brought home from
the store this EVENING""
Opening my eyes, | was almost
paralyzed to see bending over me a
hideous face, the most fendish one
had ever seen. There was bright
fire in the CRATE, and had fair
view of the villain, but before |
could move or utter cry the cold
muzzle of a revolver was pressed
against my head, and that same
voice Kissed:
, "Stir or make noise at your per-
IL! You are in my power, but if
you do as I tell you I will not harm
/ L