The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-03-06

lamp burned, a cheap made I'm
Germany affair, which gave
but sufficient light 20 show the
hopeless disorder OF the room. The
furniture stood about at an impossible
angles; pictures, instead Of being neat
" arranged upon the walls, rested
on the floor, leaning their faces against
the walnscot as things in grief books
loosely tied with coarse string, were
flung here a bundle Of freirons hud-
died there. Chaos indescribable.
But Stuart Brazer was methodical,
philosophic soul, the very type of the
satisfied and satisfactory suburban
dweller lie had glanced at the dis
heartening scramble Of furniture and |
ornaments without the least little dis |
couragement. Tomorrow, not tonight, |
he would begin to set things to rights.
The June night closed in. and Stuart |
Brazier sat in his comfortable chair !
smoking and turning matters over in
his mind. He was glad to be at length
in the first detached house he had ever
possessed; he thought of its spacious
lawns. spacious for a London suburb,
and of the grounds well pushed in from
spying nechbors. He was glad, too,
that he had sent his wife and little girl
to Margate, where, in bracing air, they
would know nothing Of the discom-
forts of moving day. The dust and
the turmoil of the morning, the heavy
boots trampling on uncarpeted stairs,
the sight of men straining in their
determination not to injure heavy fur
niture. the sounds of hammers and
falling things, the whole picture of
turning out Of one house and going
into another had got upon his nerves
Just a little and now that he sat at
rest he felt dsnclined to stir himself.
But write to Margate he must. His
wife would look to receive a letter
from him the first thing in the morn
ing, telling her all about it; assuring
her that no precious family god had
been broken, and that her iewelry box
was quite safe After their little girl
the chief care of the Braziers was that
small tin box which contained the
wife's valuables It's contents were
richer than are usually found in q
suburban villa, for both Stuart Braziel
and his wife were connected with PEG
pie who could well afford to remember
in a pleasant and substantial way
birthdays, and did remember them.
At length Stuart Brazier stirred him
self He reflled and lighted his huge
homely pipe, gathered miscellaneou
collection of bric-a-brac off the roun
table and sat down to write, H
wrote cheerfully telling all about tn
small events that make up { moving
and, strangely enough, had just fiji
ished these words: Like a tinker,
am happy in my squalor; all l year
for is company and wonder who wi
first foot our new houseF when h
ear caught the sound OF footsteps con
ing boldly up the gravel path WhiC
led to the front door. Brazier listene
and then quickly glanced at his waite
"Ten O'clock" he muttercd to himsel
'"Too late to be the last post. Nov
who the deuce is coming, and VIII
does he want? Perhaps one of Il
movers has left something behind"
AS the crunching sounds gre
nearer, BraMer made out that the
must be more than one person q
preaching his door. The windows
the room in which he sat were Wi
open. allowing him to hear with gre
distinctness. Outside, the night W
pitch dark, occasionally illuminated
heat lightning, which blotted out mo
and stars the whole world seeming
pant in the clammy heat Of threat
ing rain. Within a few yards OF
front door the visitors paused, and
next instant Brazier heard the hi
pitched voice Of a woman say:
"Tm sure there's robbers in; I fee
in my bones"
BE quiet, dear; do shut up roug
commanded the voice of man.
How can I be quiet, if burglars
housebreakers are rumpling and t
ing my"
ooh. shut up. You'll be in hyste
first thing, you know. You'd be
stay out of arms way. Go b
there. to them bushes, and keep still
i wouldn't leave you for worlds
deed and indeed I wouldn't. I VIZ
die of fright, know I would"
"Well, then, keep your cad shut,
let me and the constable do the tall
or anything else"
Brazier grinned, and started for
T.. door, taking the miserable light
him. Before he had picked his
through the furniture to the hall,