Year: 1870

went to intercept her, before she could gel
up stairs. / had to wait about 4 minute
before she came, and our colloquy con-
tinued for three or four minutes more.


When returned to my bedroom, feeling
somewhat tired l resolved to go to bed, rs
at that late hour in the country, it wa,
quite certain that no visitor would call, and
NY husband could let himself 10 with the
latch key, which he always carried.
thought, however. I would try aud keep
awake by reading, aud accordingly placed
a ligh.-sssnd aad candles at the head Of
my bed then closed and fastened the
windows, undresscd, and got into bed
The key of the safe placed, as usual, un.
der my pillow.


After reading perhaps half an hour, !
grew weary Of the book, and quietly laying
It down, remained for some minutes medi.
tating with my eyes fixed on the mirror
opposite the foot Of the bed, in which l
could see myself reflected, together will,
the yellow silk curtains behind my head.
I was thinking, not unnaturally, how
pretty l looked, and how happy l was with
such loving husband, aud such large
sum of money in our safe, when suddenly
l 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 head
board. 1t was a mans hand, large and
coarse and dark, as it it belonged to mu.
latto, or one greatly tanned by exposure
to tho weather.


My first impulse was to start from the
bed aud scream for help. l repressed it
by strong effort and will, and lay per.
fectly motionless. except that partially
closed my eyes, keeping them sufficiently
open to watch the mirror. AS quick as
liz ghting my mind took in the situation.
In the few minutes Of my absence from
the room, while talking to Dinah in the
entry, thief, robber, possible muruerer,
had stolen in by the piazza window, and
had hidden himself either under the bed
or behind its draped head. He was doubt.
less armed; aud, if l cried out, aud at
tempted TO escape from the room, he could
easily reach the door before could, and
for his own security would proably put me
to death. Dinah was too distant. aud too
feeble aud clumsy to afford me any assist
ancc, aud was besides fast asleep in the
third story. The man doubtless knew that
my husband had that day received large
sum Of money, and gone of across the
river, leaving me alone in the house. He
had eutered, caring only for the money,
and anxious, above all things, to escape
undetected, unrccognixed. II l let him
know that was aware Of his presence,
should expose myself to murder. My OBJ
vious policy was, to keep quiet aud feign
sleep. l thought also Of the money, and
was not altogether willing to resign that
without an effort to save it, aud to have at
least some clue to the identity of the thief
| confess, however, that this last consider.
alton was not very strong one, and am
afraid that if l could have seen my way
clear to on escape from the room and the
house, l should have fed incontinently
without stopping to Sc more than that ter.
rible hand.


A moment, which seemed an hour,
passed, while these though rushed through
my mind. lay perfectly still, with my
half closed eyes watching the mirror.
Slowly and noiselessly the frightful hand
pulled up its owner until l could see the
head and face reflected in the glass, and
glaring at me with fierce yet wary eyes.
The man was mulatto, very dark. with
evil passions written in every lineament.
could scarcely refrain from shuddering
at the sight Of his hateful visagc, and
speedily closed my eyes to shut it out.


Twas not yet quite ready for the ordeal
through which l knew I must soon pass.
l intended to move my light stand little
out Of the way, aud so arrange the bed.
clothes that could spring from the bed
without impediment. therefore gave 4
little sigh, and moved, as if awake, slightly
opening my eyes at the same time. The
head aud the hand Immediately disap-
pcared. then composedly made the de-
sired changes in the position Of the stand
aud the arrangement of the clothes. put
nv watch with the key Of the safe under
my pillow-extinguished one Of my can
dies, said my prayers, aud, closing my eyes,
resigned to my fate, with 10 very sanguine
or definite hope Of extri,atiou from my
perilous position.


l made my breathing regular, and a lit
tie louder then when l was awake, and lay
with my cheek on my hand, counterfsiting
sleep. At last the stiffness became more
terrible than even my 6rst agony Of fear.
Several times fancied that heard soft
step approach from the place Of conceal
ment. As often l was deceived. Then
again that dreadful stiffness in which /
counted tho ticking of the watch through
the pillow! 1t was positive relief when
he came out from behind the curtain,
stopped at the table and stood looking at
me, as was we'll aware, though my eyes
we're closed. l forced myself to breathe
regularly and audib!y. He came closer ;
he bent over me. He passed the lighted
candle slowly before my face two or three
times. felt the heat, and saw the light
through my lids, which must have quiver-
ed, though he did not seem to observe