Year: 1878




from kink of shyness more than anything
else


AS soon as breakfast was ever set off, tell
ing my husband 1 would sery likely not re-
turn next day and if possible, he was to
come for me- He could drive over early and
spend the day; and we would return home
together in the evening, if all was we'll with
mother.


When I arrived I found Mrs. Benson and
Mary looking as we'll as ever, and every
thing seemingly just as usual. Martha was
sitting at work in her her little room, which
opened off Mrs. Benson's dressing-room. [
could not help looking at her more closely
than I would have done at any other
time, and I thought I saw look of dispeas.
ure cross her face at seeing me. Mary and
her mother were, Of course, delighted to see
me, and asked why Henry did not come too.
So told them / would stay till the next day,
if they would have me, and Henry would
come for me .hen. They we're quite pleased
at that arrangement, for it was not very often
nv husband could spend whole day with
them. thenii.''''r'@--.'-'--~'''"' T--'''a '''"' - -


As the day passed on and nothing out of
the way happened, I began to think l had
frightened myself needlessly, and that my
dream or vision might have been the result
of an over.anxious mind. And then Martha,
what about her? Altogether I was perplex.
ed. l did not know what to think; but l
still felt certain underlined uneasiness offer
ed up silent prayer to be directed to do
right, and determined to wait patiently and
do nothing for while. I almost hoped
might hear the voice again, giving me def:
mite instructions how to act. Lunch passed
and dinner also; and the evening being very
warm, for it was the middle of July, we sat
ct the open window enjoying the cooling
breeze that set in from the sea.


As they were early people, shortly after ten
o'clock we said, good night" and went up to
our bedrooms. My room looked on the ave-
nue., some parts of which we're in deep shade,
while in other parts the moon shone brightly
throug breaks in the trees. l did not feel in
the least sleepy; and putting out my candle
I sat by the window, lookiug at the lovely
view for could see the coast quite plainly,
and the distant sea glittered like silver in the
moonlight. I did not think how long | had
been sitting there, until heard the hall clock
strike twelve. Just then I heard, as thought
foot step outside of the door, which evident
ly stopped there, and then in few seconds
passed on. I did not mind thinking it might
be one of the servants, who had been up later
than usual, and was now going quietly to bed
l began to undress, not lighting the candle
again, as l had light enough from the moon
As came toward the window to close it,
saw, exactly as in my dream, a female figure
evidently keeping in the shade Of the trees
going down the avenue. determined to fol.
low and see who it was, for / DOW felt the
warning voice was not sent to me for nothing,
and 1 seemed to get courage, girl though l
was, to fathom the mystery. hastily dressed
threw dark shawl over my head, and going
noiselessly down stairs, opened the glass door
in the drawing.room window, and left it so
that could come in again. kept in the
shade of the trees as much as possible, and
quickly followed the path had seen the wo
man take Presently heard voices; one was
a mans, the other womaus. But who was
she? I came close and got behind large
group of thick shrubs. could now see and
hear them quite we'll they were standing in
the light; was in deep shade. Just then
the woman turned her head toward me. 1t
was Martha! What did she want there at
that hour? And who was this man? | was
puzzled. Where had seen that face before !?
For that I had seen it before, was certain ;
but where, and when, | could not remember
He was speaking in low voice, and did not
hear very distinctly what he said, but the last
few words we're "And why not tonight?
Delays are dangerous, especially now, as they
are beginning to suspect me-"


Because Mrs Benson's daughter-in.law is
here, and she is sleeping in the room over the
plate closet, and would be sure to hear the
least noise Wait until to morrow night /;
she will be gone then. But, indeed, John |
don't like this business at all. think we'd
better give it up. No luck will come of it, |
am sure"


"Look here, Martha" said the man II
have a chance of getting off safe now.
have it all settled, if you will only help to
get the old woman's plate. With that and a
few little trnkets l happened to pick up a
few years ago, you and may set up in bust.
ness over in America. The other fellows will
help me. Meet me here tomorrow night, to
let me know that it is all safe for US. See
here. have brought you valuable pres
ent. Keep it until the plate is secure with
me for you must stay until all blows are
over; then make some excuse for leaving,
and come over and join me in New York: If
you want money, sell these diamonds in Liv-
erpool they are worth no end of money"


l could see quite we'll that he took some
thing out of his pocket and gave it to her.
She held it up to look at it; and there, glis-
tening in the bright moonlight, | saw my
godmother's diamond earring the one that
had been stolen over nine years ago, with the
other jewels, from her room.


Here, then, at last was the mystery solved,
everything made clear, and all through my
dream Presently the light fell on the mans
face again, aud l instantly recognized my
godmother's very respectable gardener. A
decent man he was believed to be, but thief
all the time, and one who hid his evil deeds
under a cloak of religion. And who was
this woman he seemed to have got such pow
er over? Evidently his wife; for | gathered
that from his conversation with her. wait.
ed where was until they we're both goue-
Martha back to the house and her husband
to the village; then, as quietly as could, |
returned to the house and reached my room.
Falling on my knees gave thanks to God
for making me the means of finding out
such wicked plot and, perhaps, saving the
lives of more than one under that roof, for it
is more than likely that had those desperate
men been disturbed in their midnight plum.
der, they would not have hesitated at any
deed which would enable them to carry out
their wicked plans.


slept little that night, and next morning
tried to appear calm and composed, though