Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-05-13

II did not want to play at forfeits
any longer-it was too dangerous, so
l proposed that we should all sing"
"Ess, tan sing. / know lots OF
songs"
yes, Stella, let us hear you sing
one all by herslf."
So she commenced deliberately:
Little birdie, on-the-tree Ca long
breath) on-the-tree! (another long
breath) on-the-tree!"
Then she stopped, and with a
naughty disregard of the desires or
opinions of her audience that would
have been worthy of a petted prlma
donna, turned carelessly round on Mr..
Benton's knee and looked out OF the
window, while the company awaited
her pleasure.
ooh, loot-loot at the big birdie on
the tree out of the window" she
said, suddenly, pointing downward
toward where knew tall tree grew
close to the house.
Mr.. Benton was apparently startled
by this evidence of Stella's keen Wis
ion, for saw him jump as his eyes
followed the direction of her finger.
He controlled himself at once, how
ever, as he replied quickly:
81 think that is the shadow OF
cloud in the moonlight, and not a
birdie, Stella"
mo, no, saw a birdie on the tree"
she persisted.
He put her down and she ran over
to me- AS l took her on my lap
i heard the door close, and saw
that John Benton had disappeared.
81 want some more sugar candy"
announced Stella, imperiously.
81 shall have to go downstairs for
it, Stella. 1t is all III the dining
room," said.
''Well, do down. I'll be dood."
OF course l had to go. l left Stel-
IA to Alice's charge and ran swift
ly down the stairs. The nursery was
on the third floor. l do not know
what induced me to open the door of
my parents bedroom as l passed it.
/ did so, however 1t was quite dark
save for one narrow bar of moon
light forcing its way through the
branches of the poplar outside the
window.
l glanced carelessly into the room,
with my hand on the handle of the
door, and was about to continue my,
journey to the dining room when ]
felt current of air from an open
window, and saw something white
cleaning in the moonlight for an in.
slant and then disappear.
what is that? 1t looked like \
hand,'' I thought, as an indescribable
feeling Of terror passed over me ana
left him shivering.
There was not sound to be heard
in the room save the rustling of the
curtains as the light wintry breeze
blew them from the window; but |
was certain some one was there.
He was inside the room by this
time. and l noticed that his footsteps
were noiseless, as if he had no shoes
on as he moved across the bar of
moonlight toward the bureau where
my mother always kept her jeWelry.
1 saw a round patch of bright yellow
fall on the keynote of the top drawer,
and then heard a metallic rafting.
The thief was picking the lock-
If 1 could only scream or call Will!
The drawer opened; the man was
fumbi:ng at its contents, when
Of oh
disappeared and, with fearful word,
saw the man fan, another man hold
ing himi Then a pistol shot rang
through the room and echoed UP and
down the stars, and the room was
flooded in light. Somebody had
switched on the light.
For a few seconds my eyes were
so dazzled that l could not see any
thing. Then / saw two men rolling
on the floor in a desperate struggle,
while pistol lay just outside of their
reach. The man underneath, with his
closely fitting plush cap, was scowling
at me, as he tried to release him.
self. and thought l could see murder
written on this thin lips and short,
turned up nose SO plainly that L
should have been in favor Of hang
ing him on the spot.
In the battle, just as Will and my
father reached the room and rushed
past me, the combatants rolled over;
a very red face, which, however, was
anything but sheepish now, was turn
ed toward me. The face of-John
Bentonl
Will had the thief by the arm in
a moment, while John Benton lay
painting on the floor. Then it was
saw great red stain on the white
skirt front. 1t was blood.
Somehow, forgot all about the
thief. Will, my father-everything,
as l threw myself down by the side
Of John Benton and pressed my
handkerchief over the red stain.
John, John! What is it? Where