The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-02-29

sorbed in its contents that she was
startled when she heard a sweet voice
say:
"Shall I intrude if I step in and
rest myself for few moments !"
lilly looked up, and a young lady
beautifully dressed stood before her.
She had sweet, winning face, and
the most faultless grace of manner.
lilly was instantly charmed with her
strange visitor, and quickly replied:
mot in the least walk right in"
The young lady took the chair
offered, which was cushioned rocker,
and sank into its depths in utter
WEAKNESS.
81 was journeying with my
friends, she explained, and some
how have strayed away from them
and we've become separated"
II dare say they will find you,"
said Tilly, hopefully, and in the
meantime you can rest here as long
as you wish"
'Thank you this is such clean,
cozy little home, it will be real treat
to stay here awhile, "replied the young
lady.
The two girls were soon chatting
as Familiarity as though they had al
ways known each other. As it grew
toward night and the strange lady's
friends did not appear, Tilly wondered
why she seemed so perfectly easy
about her situation.
Not long after ten the young lady
said, eff you will allow me to spend
the night here, 1 will make some ar
rangements whereby can meet my
friends farther on"
'I should be very glad to have you
stay" replied Tilly, as my father
and mother have gone on journey,
and it will be pleasant to have COM
pany."
BY and by Uncle John came in and
was introduced to the visitor, who
made herself agreeable to him, as she
chatted about crops and other matters
that she thought would interest him.
She soon retired, and Tilly gave her
the spare bedroom which led out of
the parlor.
"Where did that young woman
come from?" asked Uncle John, as
lilly returned to the. es.kitchen.
She explained the story of her hav-
ing become separated from her Friends,
and seeking rest there.
"It is rather strange statement, I
should think, replied Uncle John.
do you think there Is anything
wrong about her, Uncle Johnl" ask
ed Tilly, anxiously.
''I can't say that there Is" he re-
piled, "but there is a strange glitter
in her eyes once in a while which I
don't like. think she'll bear watch
ing"
There were two bedrooms leading
from the kitchen. Tilly occupied
one and Uncle John retired to the
other, where Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford
usually slept.
About midnight Tilly awoke with
a start and thought she heard strange
sounds in the kitchen. She crept out
of bed and looked through the crack
of the door, which was ajar. There
she saw sight which froze her blood
with terror. Her young lady guest
was standing by the table, clad In her
night dress and wildly brandishing
the carving knife, whose edge, every
now and then, she would apparently
try upon her finger.
"Ha ! she'll make a nice victim J"
she muttered cher neck is so thin
and white. The 6ends tell me I'll
have fount of blood tonight. Ha,
ha p
Tilly tried to scream, but she could
not make a sound. To her intense
relief, Uncle John, who, as he after
wards expressed it chad not undress-
ed at all, but had slept with one eye
open, (" rushed out of his bedroom and
wreuching the knife from the frantic
woman, seized her by the arm and
marched her back to her room.
BY the time she reached there the
fierce glitter had disappeared from
her eyes, and she seemed docile as a
child. Shutting her into her room
and barricading the door, Uncle John
returned again to the kitchen.
In the meantime Tilly had dressed
and stood there with white face,
awaiting him. "Oh, Uncle John !"
she cried in hoarse whisper, II do
believe she meant to kill me; what
does it mean?"
''It means, child, that the woman
is crazy, and has probably escaped
from some lunatic asylum. ="
"Oh, dear I'm afraid to stay here
another minute Uncle John, and as
for sleeping, I'm sure shall not
close my eyes again tonight"
''Her madness comes on by spells,
l think, and we won't be troubled by
her any more tonight. You go to
bed and I'll keep watch the rest of
the night" said Uncle John. p
Assured thus of safety, Tilly re-
tired to her room, but she was too ex-
cited to sleep soundly, and only
caught short nap now and then.
Next morning the young lady came
out, daintily dressed to breakfast and
looked and appeared so perfectly sane
that Tilly was fain to believe that the
incident of the night before was only
horrible dream. She retired to her
room as soon as the meal was finish
ed, and while Uncle John and Tilly
were consulting as to what should be
done, they were startled to see a
handsome carriage with a span OF
horses drive up.
A pale, anxious-1ooking gentleman
came hastily up the walk and knock
ed upon the door.
Have you seen anything ofa young
lady, dressed in black silk dress and
sack, and white hat, trimmed with
| lace and feathers 2'p he asked hur-