Year: 1860

the carving knife and if the wind blew
at the easement, it was some body trying
to get in at the window, although it wa'
two stories high. You may imagine
then, my horror, when l heard a tremen
duous sneeze within an inch of me, jus
behind the headboard of the bed, and
between that and the wall, where there
was considerable space. / had, as usu
al, taken the precaution. before putting
the candle out, Of looking everywhere in
the room where it was quite possible and
impossible any person could be hid, bu
in the little alcove into which the bed
was pushed !; there had never so much
as thought Of looking, although it was a
capital hiding place for anybody.


Ever since l had slept in that room,
in short, had been like the ostrich, who
puts his head into the sand, and then
imagines himself in perfect security. l
had prided myself upon precautionary
measures, which after all, might just as
we'll have been omitted. The only thing
which saved my reason from departing
altogether, when l first heard that terri
BILE sound, was that my mind clung to
the hope that it might be after all, only
the sneeze of a cat. Fifty cats altogeth-
er, could not have made such disturb
ance. it is true, for it was the sneeze of
man who sneezes in spite of himself,
and almost shook the house but the
idea sustained me over the first shock
The next instant the wretch had sneezed
again. and pushing aside the bed, which
rolled on castors, l felt he was standing
beside my pillow If he had only Civ
en- one sneeze, he might, perpaps, have
believed me, as l lay quite still, breath
ing as regularly as l could, and pretend
ing to be asleep. But he reasoned, very
justly, unless l were deaf or dead, l must
have been awakened by the sound.


" You're awake, marm," he said,
land it's no use shamming If you
don't want tap with this life preserver
you had better just look alive"
opened my eyes exceedingly wide
at this and beheld a man with Grape
over his face, standing by the bed. He
held sort of a club with two knobs up
on it in his right hand, and with his
left he pointed to the safe.


"Is the money there ?" he asked.


"The plate is" said l, in trembling
voice, "pray take it, sir, I'm sure you
are very welcome )" for he might have
had everything in the house, with all my
heart, SO long as he left me my life.


1.-The money-the gold-the notes
| are they there 2" he asked again, in a
terrible whisper.


1t is all there" replied l, although
knew nothing about it all, except fif-
teen ar sixpence in my purse, on the
dressing table yonder. There's silver
mustard pot besides in the pantry. and
couple of candleslicks in the study, only
they are plated, for l would not deceive
you, sir, upon any account"


You had better not" observed the
burglar. grimly, "or it will be the worse
for you"


He produced key like that my hus
band used and approached the safe but
as he did SO his guilty ear caught the
sound Of footslep on the staircase.


"Who's that ?" cried he.


my husband, sir. returned l, but
pray do not hurt him"


Is he not gone to town, then q"
cried the ruffian, with an oath Of disap.
poin,ment.


He is going at twelve O'clock" re-
piled l, :" he is indeed"


"If you tell him." said the burglar,
hoarsely. " if you breathe but one word
Of my presence here. it will be the death
doom Of you both :" he had slipped into
the alcove, and drawn back the bed to
its place in an instant. Ny husband en-
tered the room Immediately afterward.
and even while he was in the room |
heard the awful threat repeated through
the thick curtains behind me. If you
do whisper it, woman, l will kill you
where you lie. Will you swear not to
tell him ?"


q WILL" said 1, solemnly promise
not TO open my lips about the matter"
Frank leaned over the pillow to kiss
me, and observed how terrified l look
ed.


You have been frightening yourself
about robbers again, you silly child"


mot l, Frank" returned I, as cheer
fully as l could, Il have only a little
headache but said with my fingers,
SO that he could plainly read il in the
fire light, For Gods sake hush !!
There's man behind the beds head"


Frank WAS as bold as lion, and had
nerves like iron. although he was so ten
der hearted and kind. He only answer
L." Where's your sal volatile, dear
es. 90 and he went to the mantel piece
to get it. l thought he never could have
understood me. he spoke with such cool
ness and unconcern, until | saw his
fingers reply as he took up the bottle
All right; don't BE- cfra,d." And then
l was not afraid, or at least not much.
for knew l should not be left for one
instant in that room alone and ! felt
that my Frank was match for any two
men in such cause. Only he had no
weapon. "M has a life pressrvsr. I"
said /, with my fingers.


"The fire is getting low. Georgsy,
observed he, as he took up the poker,
All he had weapon then. Il must
leave a good blaze to comfort you. be-
fore | go" lie poked the fire and left
| tha nolar in without avar fax inu his