Year: 1870

myself rellccltu, N9utllcr NHN the yellow
silk curtains behind my head, | was think
inc, not rnnaturaGy. how happy was with
such a loving husband and such q large sum
of money secure incur safe, when suddenly
SAW in the mirror sight which made my
heart stand still. A hand appeared between
the curtains, drawing them slowly apart.
and grasped cautiously the head-board. 1t
was Il mans hand lTge and coarse and
dark, as if belonging tc a mulatto, or to one
mro atty tanned by exposure TO the weather.
Nv first impulse was q start from the bed
and scream for help. | repressed it by u
strong effort Of will, md lay perfectly mo-
.tionless. except that ] partially closed my
eyes. keeping them OILY sufficiently opened


to watch the mirror. As quick rs tightening
my mind took in the situation. In the few
minutes of my absence from the room while


talking to Dinah in tlr entry, q thief 4 rob
her or possibly a murderer had stolen in by
the piazza window. and had hidden himself.
either under the bed 9r behind its draped
head. lie was doubtless armed; and il
cried out, and attempted to escape from the
room he could easily rsach the door before |
could. and for his oR-r security. would prob
ably put me to death. Dinah 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 doubt
less knew that my husband had that day
received q large sum Of money, and had gone
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 undetcctcd and unrecognlz-
ed. If | LET him know that | was aware Of
his presence, | should expose myself to muir
der, and perhaps to outrage worse than muir
der. My obvious policy was to keep quiet
and to leign sleep. | thought also OF the
money, and was not altogether willing TO
resign that without al effort so save it, and
to have some clue to the identity of the thief.
| confess, however, that this last considera-
ton was not 4 very strong one, and | am
afraid that, # 7 could have seen my way
clear TO an escape from the room and the
house, | should have fled incontinently,
without stopping to see more than that terri
bic hand.


a moment which seemed an hour, passed
while these thoughts rushed through my
closed eyes watching the mirror Slowly
and noiSclcssy the lrightful hand pulled up
its owner, until | could see the head and face
reflected in the glass and elarng At me with
fierce vet wary eyes. The man was n
mulatto, very dark. with evil passions written
in every lncament. | could scarcely refrain
from shuddering ut the sight of his hateful
visa@e, and speedily closed my eyes to shut
it out.


was not quite ready for the ordeal through
which knew | must soon pass. | wanted
to move my light-stand a little out Of the
way and SO arrange the bed-clothes that |
could spring from the bed without impede
| ipb
as if about to wake slightly opening my
eyes at the same time. The head and hand
instantly disappeared. | then composedly
made the desired changes in the position of
the stand and 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 rs | knew they would
be, cNtinguishcu one Of my candles, said my
prayers, and closing, my eyes, resigned my
> ,ff 80, 'i'i- --~ '>-5 ~~--e>~;-.. =
definite hope Of escape from my perlous
position.


| made my breath regular, and 4 little
louder than when was awake, and lay with
my check on my hand, countcricitlng sleep.
All last the stiffness became more terrible
than even my first agony of fear. Several
times l lancied that | heard 4 soft step ap-
proach from the place of conccalment. As
often was deceived. Then again that dread
FIJI Stiffness in which counted the tick Of my
watch through the pillow. II was 4 positive
relief when he came from behind the curtain.
stopped at the table and stood looking al me,
as | was we'll aware, though my eyes were
closed. | forced myself to breath regularly
and audiby. lie came closer he bent over
me. He passed the lighted candle slowly
before my face two OF three times. felt the
heat and saw the light through my closed lids,
which must have quivered, though he did
not seem to observe their motion Heaven
gave me strength not to move nor cry out.
Satisfied, apparently, he put back the candle
stick on the stand, and his hand crcpt slowly
under the pillow, and one By one he romov-
cd my watch and the key Of the safe. He
stood so long looking at me that I felt I'M
PEELED to open my eyes suddenly upon him.


As he walked softly toward the safe, did
partly open them, and cautiously watched
him through my cyeashcS. heard him
tumbling with the lock, and once ne looked
over towards the bed. My eyes were wide
open, but | closed them in time not TO be de-
tected. Watching him steadily, saw HIM
open the door of the safe. 90 back to the
stand for the candle, and return to the safe,
which he entered without drawing the key
from the lock.


Here was the opportunity for which | had
waited and watched. | sprang lightly from
the bed, with one bound reached tie safe,
dashed the door to, turned the key, and with
one loud shrek fell PROSTATE and senselrss
on the floor OF the dark room.


How long | lay upon the floor | do not
know, probably for a few minutes only; but
| was as unconscious it seemed, when came
to myself, rs if the interval had been long
one | was aroused by his blows upon the
iron door, and found myself weak after the
long nervous tension, but still calm. | re-
memberthe satisfaction with which | thought
as law there before rising, that he could not
escape, mingled with vague and foolish
dread that he might in his rage burn the val
liable contents of the safe. lie pounded dcs-
perately on the door and swore fearlully at
finding himself cntrapped. But, as took nc
notice of his outcrics he soon grew quiet.


Presently | rose, and lighting q candle
dressed myself with all possible haste and
with trembling fingers, turned often to look
at the safe. from under the closed door o
which | more than half expected to sec
blood trickling | cannot tell, except
that nv mind was fill Of images of horror.


| was soon in readiness. | had no means
of ascertaining the time, as he had my watch
in his pocket and there was no clock in the
ROOM Taking the candle | fastened to
arouse Dinah who. us | shook her, SLOWLY
opened her ewes, and with scarcely any
more than her usual slowness pronounced
her formula: '.Well Miss Lille, what
ob,u n, I cd a moSSo what's In r,ottn,