Year: 1876

to go. He asked permission to light his
pipe, which was readily granted. He
went out directly, passing accidentally
through the dining-room and out of the
great hall, where he fingered moment
or two. He had thanked me civily
enough for his breakfast. but the girls
laughed and nodded as he went out, and
said they should think had picked up
g raven.


All that long, bright day I was busy
and happy in the flower garden, or sew
ing, or reading; and when the girls left,
looking very cheerful at their half holi-
day, [ wished them n merry time, and
told them not to hasten home, for Thorn
as should come for them. I expected
my father and mother soon after eight
o'clock, and told Thomas that he might
go about that time, they would
be home, and it looked little like rain.
Heavy clouds were gathering in the west
and the thunder rumbled sullenly. He
took the covered wagon and old gray,
and, before he stepped in, said:


''Miss Ann, think you had better
fasten the doors, as you may be all alone
for short time if I go SO soon. Would
you not rather that should wait till
your father comes p


"Oh, no, Thomas; don't mind being
alone in the least, and you ought to go,
lest it should rain hard, for it is more
than two miles to ride, and they may not
wish to leave in minute. [ expect
father and other every moment. Don't
wait.


So Thomas left, and the wagon ratified
merrily up the lane. I bolted the doors
because he had told me to, for otherwise
I would not have thought of it. It grew
dark rapidly, and the thunder began to
the flashes of lightning grew more vivid
and frequent. 1 went to the east parlor
and looked out to the south, but the sud
den lighting up of the sky and the fol-
lowing darkness did not interest me
long. I could not see out very we'll,
either, as the honeysuckles covered the
windows. The large mirror reflected
me as I turned away to cross the room,
and [ stopped a moment with natural
vanity, for [ was young and fair enough
to look upon.


I let all my hair fall loose, and wound
it in long, shining, brown curls over my
fingers. It certainly did look handsome,
for it was very thick, and fell below my
waist, and curled almost of itself as it
fell. There came a great fash of light,
and I saw distinctly reflected in the glass
face looking in the window. It was an
instant Of terror, but I neither screamed
nor moved. The face could not see my
face, and I kept my body still, and roll
ed the long shining rings off my cold,
white fingers. It was on ugly face, and
I recognized it. had seen it that N morn-
ing. and I knew what lay before me. I
prayed inwardly brief prayer for help.


Turning from the glass, [ went stead
lily toward table that stood near the
window, and on which had left my
candle. l moved steadily as usual, and
took up the water pitcher and looked in
it, then took my candle and went toward
the kitchen. The lightning kept fash
ing, but the face did not come again. I
dropped my candle on the kitchen hearth
and put my foot On the wick. I set down
the pitcher on the dresser, and with soft,
light football hastened through the west
room up the front stairs, into my faith
er's chamber, and softly closed and bolt
ed the door at the head of the stairs. I
unlocked his box, took out both the bags
of gold, relocked it, and me de my way
into the great chamber.


/ heard voices; heard the doors tried
below. / knew it was not my father.
dared not tremble nor grow faint. L
went through that room and two others
to the garret stairs. I hardly breathed.
I heard window pushed up; more than
one person came in at it. I felt about
me in the dark. There was sliding
panel in the inside of the stairway.
pushed it and it rolled back. [ entered
into long closet under the stairs, and
slid the pannel carefully into its place.
I felt cautiously to see if all was safe. I
pulled my dress close about me lest it
might be caught, and the door not clos
ed tightly. Then I waited. I heard
steps coming up the stairs. [ heard a
search through all the room below. My
heart beat till thought that each voice
must be audible, heard voices
voice, the Ravens. I knew that harsh
croak. It told me nothing. The face
had revealed all to me. The man had
seen the bag of gold as he leaned over
the wall in the morning, unnoticed by
the gay group. It Was all plain to me.
He had gathered from the girls talk
that 7 might be alone. He had return
ed and watched. He had brought ac-
completes. Very soon the steps and
voices came my way. Icould distinguish
plainly the words that were spoken.


''Drat her she must have seen you. y


''No matter we'n split the box open
with this AK.


1 knew the AK WAS in the little porch.
Thomas had set it in when he had done
chopping the brush, as it looked like
rain.


I heard the steps and voices move
away, dull, crashing sound, and then
stifed, angry tones. [ knew they had
opened the box and found nothing but