The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-06

stepped In and lay down. There were few spiders and molly in the bottom But there was no opportunity to do than notice them For my sins' said the Frenchman He folded Lis hands upon his breast. smiled. and looked for all the world like a beautiful corpse suddenly come life. think gave him back the smile And then l closed the lid of the box.
 By this time the whole household was awake what with the knocking the house door. and the tramping of feet, and the voices the porch, found half the servants, half dressed, in the hall and your great-uncle Peter at the head of the stair-not altogether a modest fig ure. must say. He had on only a nightshirt and his red nightcap candlestick in one hand Che had omitted to light the candle and 1t by the light of two three that the servants had brought that I was able to him at alb. and his great horse pistol in the other Seeing up and dressed he took courage. and descended step two. "'What is the matter below there? he said "T am about to find out said And forthwith I unbolted the door and swung 1t open. The sheriff I knew by sight. He supported by number of officers in uniform and by a small mob of blood thirsty-looking riff raf
 Madame says the sheriff, we have traced criminal to this house. And we believe him to be hiding within it.
 "'Stars and garters, says l. allowing my real agitation to show in my face. And mighty relief 1t was I can tell you. Come in and find him. l. mob was endeavoring follow the sheriff and his officers into the houses. stepped in front of them and waved them back. smiling Good heavens l said. don't all come in. The rest of you surround the house. and let no one pass out, at your peril And be quick about it. said. And shut the door in their faces. Peter said, have ale and cold meat set out in the servants dining room for these gentlemen; they will be thirsty and tired I. sir said to the sherin. will be in the library if am And I ated he door. which had left open on purpose. Sam. I said-Sam was of the house servants-fetch an armful of wood from the cellar. The wood box is empty and my fire Is low
 "Then I went back to the library. leaving the door wide open, took down fresh book. a volume of Mon Flanders for felt myself too agitated to go on with Adam Smith and sat down once more in front of the fire or what remained of it. had a maddenng desire to open the woodbox to see if it still contained the Frenchman: and finally. after Sam had brought the wood and gone. I yielded to it.
 "He questioned me with his eyebrows. And if ever a woman looked an injunction to be silent l looked one at him. Then l shut the lid and went back to my book. But could make even the pretense of reading. l felt that must talk make an uproar of sort. go mad So what did I do but drag my harp out of the corner and wheel 1t the wood box. just above which was bracket lamp. And l fetched my music-stand. and a double armfu of sheet music. The latter spread out upon the very cover of the wood-box: and then I sat down to the harp. and began to try over songs and old l remember sang"-she broke of and smiled at the recollection-"a comica old thing"she beat time with her hands and half sang. half recited. her voice quaverng:
 "A maiden said hush to her lover.
 Be silent you'll annoy-'
 I'll speak I'll not str.
 Said her lover to her,
 T'n be dead if twill furnish you 1oy' You've no idea" she broke of singing and said. what relief 1t to make noise. I've recol lection of most of the things played and sang that night: l hadn't the next morning But recall one" And she began to beat time again. and al lowed a certain hint of tenderness appear in her cynical, beautiful old face. AS before. she half saug. half recited old people will;
 If beyond the gate.
 Lurking in the snow.
 Murderers were waiting
 Would she bid go7
 Voices whisper in my heart,
 No-no-no@
 "'f beyond the world
 She called away,
 She whom ] would die for, Would she bid stay?
 Voices whisper in my heart.
 Nay-nay-nay-.
 "Tf unreasoned things
 Glanced and SC, her free.
 Could she be mad-so mad
 AS to marry me9
 Voices whisper in my heart
 Wait-and-see.'
 T had finished that one and rummaging through the music the wood box for another when the shertn tapped the open door. "'Well' said l. jumping up. have you found himr -'No. said he And then your Uncle Peter ap peared fully dressed 1 pleased see. What were doing up at late hourr your greatunce asked
 "'RAading The Wealth of Nations."' said.