The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-05-01


any longer-it was too dangerous, so
| proposed that we should all sing"
'fEss, / 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 "a long
breath) onthe-tree! (another long
rbreath)S 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 petted prima
donna, turned carelessly round on Mr..
Bentons 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:
Il think that is the shadow of
cloud in the moonlight, and not
birdie, Stella
"No, no, saw birdie on the tree"
she persisted.
He put her down and she ran over
to me. AS / took her on my lap
heard the door close, and saw
that John Benton had disappeared
Il want some more sugar candy"
announced Stella, imperiously
II shall have to go downstairs for
fit, Stella. 1t is all in the dining
ROOM" said
"Well, do down. I'll be dood."
OF course had to go. i left Stel.
la to Alice's charge and ran swift
ly down the stairs. The nursery was
ON the third floor. do not know
what induced me to open the door Of
my parents bedroom as / 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.
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 whits
cleaning in the moonlight for an in.
slant and then disappear.
what is that? 1t looked like a
hand l thought, as an indescribable
feeling of terror passed over me ami
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 I
was certain some one was there.
He was inside the room by this
time, and 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.
saw round patch of bright yellow
fall on the keyhole OF the top drawer.
and then heard a metallic rafting.
The thief was picking the lock.
II could only scream or call Will.
The drawer opened; the man was
fumbling at its contents, when
crash! The yellow fash of light,
disappeared and, with fearful word.
saw the man fan, another man hold
ing him! Then pistol shot rang
through the. room and echoed up and
down the stars. and the room was
flooded in light. Somebody hal
switched on the light.
For a few seconds my eyes were
so dazzled that could not see any
thing. Then i saw two men rolling
on the floor in 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 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 comba.ants rolled overs
very red face, which, however, was
anything but sheepish new, was turn
81 toward me. The face of-John
Bentoni
Will had the thief by the arm in
a moment while John Benton lay
painting On the floor Then it was
saw a great red stain on the white
skirt front. IT. 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.
"Johu, Jchn. What is It? Where