Year: 1879

from neighbors, ana had no ether occu-
pants than Monsieur and Madame Au-
brey, their son-an infant of twelve
months-and a domestic, recently admit
ted into their service.


One evening in the month OF November,
Madame Aubrey was awaiting with some
anxiety the return Of her husband, who
had been gone since morning to town
distant few miles from Dame. His bus
ness was to collect debt, and he expect
ed to bring home large sum of money,
and his wife now remembered, with a
feeling Of uneasiness, that she had seen
him arm himself with pair Of pistols.


1t was about six o'clock, and Madame
Aubrey went to her cham Der accompanied
by the domestic, with the intention of
putting the little boy TO bed. This apart
ment, large and high, was situated on the
second floor, looking into the garden.


The night was true November night
black and gloomy, with torrents ofran.
which beat continually upon the win
dows.


Madame Aubrey sat upon low chair
in the corner of the fire place, holding
upon her knees the little boy whom she
was undressing, while the servant at the
other end of the room executed certain
orders for her mistress.


The baby had ceased his laughing play
and had already closed his drowsy eyes.
The mother threw her eyes toward the
cradle to assure herself that all was pre-
pared at this momen. the fire bazed up
suddenly and threw a strong light upon
the bed exposed by the little curtain. As
Madame Aubrey looked she nearly fell
from her chair under the bed close to
the cradle in which she had been about to
deposit her sleeping child, she now be-
held two great feet, shod in course bro
gans.


In an instant the sense of her Fituation
flashed across the mind Of the young wo-
nan as if shown by flash of lightning.
This hidden man no doubt was n thief,
perhaps ar assassin-she was alone, with
out help present or soon TO be expected, for
her husband was not to return until eight
or nine O'clock and it was now but little
past six. What should she do y? How
should she defend herself?


Madame Aubrey had uttered no cry
she had not even moved. but the servant
making the same discovery, might not
show the same prudence.


The thief probably intended to remain
in his present position until the middle Of
the night, then TO issue forth and possess
himself of the sum brought home by
Monsieur Aubrey. But if prematurely
discovered, and having no opponents but
two women, would probably make his
escape, first securing their silence by their
death. Then who knows but the servant
herself was an accompllce, suspicious cir
cum stances. hitherto disregarded, return
ed with renewed violence to the mind of
Madame Aubrey.


All these thought passed through the
mind of the young mother in less time
than have occupied in telling. Before
many minutes had entirely passed, she
had decided upon her part in the terrible
drama. But she must get rid Of the SER
want.


"You know" said she, without the least
faltering of her voice, "the dishes which
my husband prefers, and think he will
be we'll pleased 10 find a good supper

ready against his return. had forgot
ten to tell you about it before, but go now
and begin your preparations and bestow
attention upon it.


After some attempts at delay, which
doubled in Madame Aubrey an uneasi-
ness which she was obliged to conceal, the
girl quilted the chamber. Her footsteps
died away upon the stairs, and her mis-
tress found herself alone with her child
and these two terrible feet, which, half
seen in the now dying light, seemed as
immovabe as the 5edstead itself.


She still remained sitting near the
chimney with the baby upor her lap, ad
dressing to him almost mechanically ca
lcssiIE MOsuri oilQ bpohhillS iilll W EltcIs
while her eyes never wandered from the
menacng feat. The little fellow, tired of
his position. began to cry for his cradle
and its soothing motion, but the cradle
was close to the alcove-close 10 the feet.
The young mother conquered herself by a
violent effort.


"Come, then. my little child" she
said, and rising from her chair, she forced
her totterihg steps to be firm, and went
toward the alcove. Behold her close to
the ominous feet She placed the baby
in the cradle, and with voice which all
her resolution could hardly keep from
trembling, she commenced to sing her
usual lullaby TO the unconscious child,
and as she sang, the idea was ever in her
mind that each word might be her last.
A; last the boy slept soundly, and the
mother returned to her seat by the fire.


The clock strikes seven. One hour
more and Madame Aubrey may expect
deliverance. A deep silence reigned in
the chamber. The infant slept peace-
fully.


The half.hour strikes. The anxious
watcher could have almost sworn that it
WAS two hours since it struck last, but no;
she knows that the clock is faithful. and
there is still another weary half hour be-
tore she may expect her deliyerer


Madame Abbey took book Of religious
meditations from the chimney-pier
above her head, and attempted to read.
Vain effort Her eyes wandered contin-
nally from the page.


Eight o'clock sounded, and nobody had
cnrna The snnnnsllinn Wns thnn cnrrerl.