Year: 1878

hank was closed; all the banks were
closed. for it was Saturday.


I took the package home again, re-
placed it in the bureau drawer, locked
it, placed the key in my pocket, and re-
solved that | would not worry any more
about it. Emily called me to tea in a
little while, and though not hungry, I
went into the dining room and sat with
her while she drank her teaand laughed
and chatted in her vivacious way.


The evening wore rather long, and
Emily and | sat together in the dining
room after the table was cleared, she
reading aloud, and / listeningas was our
custom. When the clock struck ten she
laid down her book; and | took my
lamp, and bidding her good night. went
up TO my room.


Ny chamber occupied the whole front
Of the second story, and Emily had a
back room upon the same floor. \ bell
wire ran from my room to hers, so that
I could summon her at pleasure.


I placed the lamp upon the bureau,
shaded it, and returned and locked the
door. Then I drew my easy chair to the
middle of the room, put on my slippers,
and sat dowu for a few minutes before
retiring. And Immediately Ibecame
vexed at myself to find that was look
ing at the drawer that held the money,
and that was feeling in my pocket to
see that the key was safe. | felt no
alarm; had almost cured myself OF my
uneasiness; but it seemed as if that
money, and the danger of its custody,
would obtrude upon me. In the impa-
tience of the moment turned my chair
half round, and looked toward the oppo
site wall. The shade that | placed over
the lamp confined its rays within small
circle, beyond which the bed, the fnrni-
ture, the carpet, and the wall paper
were obscure. In the corner, to the
right of the door, was an antique, high
backed chair, favorite piece of furni-
ture. As l turned my own chair from
the bureau, my eyes rested on this OBJ
ject; and saw by the same glance that
human figure was sitting in it!


could not at first make out whether
it WAS a man or woman; only be
came conscious, as / sat in bewildering.
dumb terror, that was confronted by
stranger, there in that semi-darkness--
BY some one who had hidden in the
room for some object and what that OBJ
ject was 1 well knew. No person who
has never been placed in such a terrify
ing situation as that can desc ribe the
sickening feeling which for a moment
takes possession of the heart; and can
only say for myself that 1 sat motionless
for time-I know not how long-think
ing of my helpless situation. There 1
was, locked up in room alone with a
ruffian, waiting, trembling and expect
ing to hear him speak, or become the
object of some violence. For although,
as l have said, could not distinguish
whether it was man or woman, did
not doubt that it was the former, and
one of the most desperate of his kind.
And presently, as my eyes fell on the
floor, | saw great pair of boots thrust
out upon the carpet within the radius of
the light -


do not know how long we sat there
in the semi-darkness of the room, facing
each other, but motionless and silent; it
might have been three minutes or thirty.
The thought of alarming Emily sudden
ly occurred TO me, and / reached out for
the bell cord. 1t should have been
within easy reach Of the spot where 1
sat; but my hand failed to find it.


A low chuckle came from the occu
pant of the old chair.


"That was clever thought of you,
missus," came forth in a deep, rough
voice, and in tone of easy insolence.
Clever thought, ,.marm; but bless your
simple soul, do you think was going to
leave that ere cord there for you to make
noise with? Not by no means. It's
well to be careful when you're in this
kind of business, marin; and when you
lef me alone here before dark then
being under the bel, YOU see-I crauled
out and took survey of the place


MY strength was returning; Ibecame
reassured as saw the man intended no
violence to myself


"What do you want?" / asked.


He chuckled again and replied: Now
that's good; you're a business woman,
marin; you come right to the point
without any nonsense. I'm going TO tell
you what | want"


He rose from his chair as he spoke, and
crossed the room to the bureau, passing
so close to me that his boots brushed the
skirt of my dress shuddered and drew
my chair back-I could not help betray
ing my fear.


BE quiet, marm," he said. Il don't
mean to hurt youif l can helpit Keep
still. and | won't. Let's have a look at
each other"


He removed the shade and looked at
me for full half a minute, as I sat in the
glare of the lamp. He was a large
brawny fellow, full SIX feet high, and
dressed in an old suit of fustain clothes.
his face was entirely concealed by a
Grape mask; not feature oft could
see, from his neck to the crown of his
head. He leaned one arm upon the
bureau, and regarded me attenhvely.


"You don't know me- he remarked
in an ordinary tone. mo, ofcourse not;
It's best for you that You shouldn't. /
thought at first there was something IA
miliar in your face; but I fancy 1 was
mistaken. Well, to business, marm."
And he assumed a sharp tone, and look
ed carefully at the bureau. "rve got a
pistol, missus"- and he slapped his
pocket; "but you're too sensible a wo
man, take it, to make me use it on you.
want that money. There's five hun
dred pounds of it in this drawer; YOU
have the key-give it to me-


handed it to him without word.
@Tll leave you now in a minute,
missus," he said, rapidly inserting the
key, turning it, and opening the drawer,
with many thanks for your good be
havior. Is this it, y


He took out the package, and held it
) up.


That Is the money" | said.


She might deceive me, after ALL l
heard hin, uttar- and thrllstipo his fore