Year: 1872

The night shadows are beginning Q
to settle down upon the earth. All
day the rain had been falling, some
times lightly, sometimes in heavy
showers. The roses and pinks in
the garden had sickly look, for
their petals hung low and were hea-
Wy with water, and with the mud
which had splashed upon them.
The clouds were still dark and
threatening, bespeaking a stormy
night. The little town Of Ashton
was unusually quiet. The streets
were too muddy and the weather too


nclement to entice people from their
homes. Only now and then a soIi-
tary traveller was TO be seen. These,
business had driven forth: and they
walked with rapid steps, anxious to
again get under shelter.


In a vine-wreathed cottage on a
aower-sprinkled lawn, the supper
had been waiting over an hour Tor
the master of the house, whose bust
ness had necessitated his being alb
sent from home all day. Mr.. jacobs
was the tax collector of the town
ship, and consequently could not
wait the return Of the pleasant wealth
er before pursuing his journey
Therefore he had equipped himself
in his Indiarubber overgarment in
the morning, and had gone about his
business, leaving his wife the prom
ise Of an early leturn in the evening.
But the supper hour had come and
gone without his making an ap-
pearance. Mrs. Jacobs, however.
was not anxious as yet. Such de
lays were too frequent to cause this
one to give her any uneasiness of
mind.


She fitted about the house, busy
with her evening duties, singing a
gay song as she went. She was a
bright little woman, with a world of
courage written in her dark, spark
ling eyes, and on the firm, red lips.


Anon she disrobed her two little
ones, and put them to bed, and when
the night shadows turned into an
inky blackncss, she seated herself
by the lamp and began to sew, still
leaving the supper table spread, and
the food on the stove, keeping warm
for the return of her husband. But
the little clock on the mantleshelf
had told the hour of ten, before his
step was heard at the door. He
came in hurriedly, and strobe to a
seat without removing his dripping
outer garments, or his muddy boots.


"Was detained. Am in an awful
hurry. Going to Winchester to-
nis.ht," diving his hand into pocket
Of his inner coat, and glancing anx-
icusly around the room.


ITO Winchester repeated his
wife in dismay. Twenty miles in
this storm! p


Cant be helped" he returned,
Business is business you know"


He removed his hand from his
pocket, took of his hat, and brushed
back his fair hair, revealing the
rather handsome face of a light com
plexioned, middled-aged man. He
had large gray eyes, but they wore
an anxious expression, and their
gladce wandered resIessly about the |
apartment


aJane," he said suddenly, again
diving his hand into the troublesome |
pocket "do you suppose that you /
,ould take care of a large sum of
money till tomorrow


"Why, yes" she answered, look
ng up in surprise.


Il have collected i've thousand /
dollars" he continued, "and it is too |
ate to get it into the bank, and I
10 not dare to carry so much with
ne"


"Well, you can leave it here as
we'll as not No one would think Of
ny having such n sum Of money"


He drew large wallet from his
pocket and placed it in her hands.


1T belongs to the government
md if you let it pass from your
lands I am ruined, he commented. /
And he arose as if to depart.


you are going TO eat some sup
2erY' she required.


NO. I have no time to lose.
must make Winchester by midnight. ]
Goodbye. Take good care f the
money, and fasten al the doors.


He gave her hurried kiss, and
be next moment he was gon