Year: 1870

about which L wished to speak to her, started
huridly up, and went into the entry to intercept
her before she got up stairs. L had to wait
about minute before she came, and our COLO
guy continued three or. four minutes more.


When | returned to my bedroom, feeling
somewhat tired | resolved to go to bed, as, at
that late hour in the country, it was quite GER
tain that no visitors would call, and my hus-
band could let himself in with the latch-key,
which he always carried. Thought, however,
L would try to keep awake by reading, and ac-
cOrdingly placed light-stand and the candles
at the head Of my bed | then closed and
fastened the windows, undressed, and got into
bed. The key of the safe placed, as usual,
under my pillow.


Aft& reading perhaps half an hour, l grew
weary of the book, and, quietly laying it down.
remained for some minutes meditating with
my eyes fixed on the mirror opposite the foot
of the bed, in which | could see myself reflect
ed, together with the yellow silk curtains be-
hind my head. | was thinking, not unnatur-
ally, how pretty looked and how happy |
was with such loving husband and such
large sum of money secure in our safe, when
suddenly | saw in the mirror sight that made
my heart stand still. A hand appeared be-
tween the curtains, drawing them slowly apart
and grasping cautiously the headboard 1t
was a mans hand, large and coarse and dark,
as if belonging to a mulatto, or to one greatly
tanned by exposure to the weather.


My hrst impulse was to start from the bed
and scream for help. [ repressed it by
strong effort Of will, and lay perfectly motion
less, except that | partially closed my eyes,
keeping them only sufficiently upon to watch
the mirror As quick as lightning my mind
took IN the situation. In the few minutes of
my absence from the room, while talking to
Dlnah in the entry, thief rObber, a posi-
la rl.,rNv i L l.. Il


dowS, and had hidden himself either under the
bed or behind its draped head. He was doubt
less armed and, If | cried out, and attempted
to escape from the room, he could easily reach
the door before | could, and for his own secu-
rty would probably put me to death Din&h
was too distant and too feeble and clumsy to
afford me any assistance, and besides was by
this time fast asleep in the third story. The
man doubtless knew that my husband had that
day received large sum Of money, and had
gone of across the river, leaving me alone, or
nearly alone, in the house. He had entered,
caring only for the money, and anxious, above
all things, to escape undetected and unrecog-
nized If let him know that was aware of
his presence, | should expose myself to MUIR
der, and perhaps to outrage worse than mur
der. My obvious policy was. to keep quiet and
tO teign sleep. | thought also OF the money,
and was not altogether willing to resign that
without an effect to save it, and to have at
least some clew to the identity of the thief
confess how ever, that this last consideration
was not very strong one, and am afraid that
If could have seen my way clear to an escape
from the room and the house. | should have
fed incOntrnently, without stopping to see more


than that terrible hand.


A moment which seemed an hour passed


while these thoughts rushed through my mind
Slowly and nOiselesSly the frightul hand pull
ed up its owner, until could see the head and
| face reflected in the glass, and glaring at me
| with terce yet wary eyes | could scarcely re-


frain from shuddering at the sight of his hate


tul visage, and speedily closed my eyes to shut
| it out


was not yet quite ready for the ordeal


through which knew | must soon pass. |


wanted % move my light stand a little out of


the way, and so arrange the bedclOtheS that |


could spring from the bed without imp, di-


ment. | therefore gave sigh, slightly open


ing my eyes at the same time. The head and


the hand instantly diSa ppeaIed | then com


pOSedly made the dcsiIed changes in the posi-


tOn of the stand and the arrangement of the


clothes put my watch with the key of the safe


under my pillow-sO near the edge that they


could easily be taken out, as knew they would


be-extinguished one of my candles, said my


prayers and, closing my eyes, resigned myself


W my ld'Ci Will uO very SduSuln6 OF uCunlt(


hope OF eXtrlcatiOn from my perilOus position


| made my breathing regular, and little
louder than when | was awake, and lay witt


my cheek on my hand, counterft iting sleep A


last the stiffness became more terrible THAI


even my first agony of fear. Several times


tancled that heard soft step approach tron
the place of cOnceament As often | wa
: deceived. Then again that dreadful stiffness
in which | counted the ticking of the watch
through the pillow 1t was positive relie
when he came out from behind the curtain
3 stopped at the table, and stood looking at me
as was well aware, though my eyes wer,


closed. | forced myself to breathe regularly
and audibly. He came closer; ne bent owe
me. He passed the lighted candle slowly be
2 fore my face two or three times | felt tn,
heat, and saw the light through my closeC
lids, which must have quivered. though he. .di,
not seem to observe their motion. IIeaver
gave me strength not to move or cry out Sat
. lSfed, apparently, he put back the candlesticI
on the stand, and his hand crept softly ant
slowly under the pillow, and, one by one, h.
removed my watch and the key of the safe
lie stood SO long looking at me that felt i'm
, pelled to open my eyes suddenly upon him.
As he walked softly toward the safe, | diC
partly open them, and cautiously watched hin
l through my eyelashes. | heard him fumblin,
with the lock, and once he looked over TOWARD
the bed. My eyes were wide open, bu
closed them In time not to be detected
Watching him stealthiy, | saw him open th
, door Of the safe, 90 back to the stand for tn,
candle, and return to the safe, which he enter
, ed without Withdrawing the key from the lock
Here was the opportunity for which | haC
= waited and watched. Isprang lightly from tn,
bed, dashed the door to, turned the key, an,
e with one long and loud shrek fell prostrat,
and senseleSs on the floor of the dark ROOM
, How long lay upon the floor, do not know
Z probably for a few minutes only-but, as
! was unconscious. it seemed, when | came +,
! myself, as if The interval had been long one
! | was aroused by his blows upon the iron door
/ and found myself weak after the long nerniou


tension, but still calm. | remember the salts
faction with which thought, while lay Their
e before rising, that he could not escape
? mingled with vague and foolish dread that h