The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-02-02
WHOLE NO. 12O.

against the wall, as if to frighten away
the mice. and then resumed her occupa-
tion. When that was done she went to
her jewel case, which stood upon the
toilet-table, and turned its bright con-
tents out in heap before her. She held
a spray of diamonds against her hair,
as if to try its effect; she clasped and
unclasped her bracelets. and toyed with
her rings. Meanwhile the door creaked
again, and letting an unset diamond fall
to the ground and STOPPING to pick it
up, she saw at a rapid glance that a
bury. Unlocking man was peerug at
her from behind the curtains of the bed =.
He started back, thinking himself dis.
covered and in that moment of horrible
anxiety-that moment which for aught
she knew, might be her last-what did
she do? She could hear his breathing
distinctly, sharpened as all her senses
were, almost felt the cold steel in her
heart; and D she made mocking court
esy in the glass, and held the diamond
spray aboye her forehead.
Duchess of Nemours she said.
softly. And why not? should look
we'll with coronet. I wish my husband
was dead 7
She leaned her head upon her hand,
and seemed to think. A subdued rust
ling told her that the robber was retreat
ing. The door was swung softly togeth-
sr-she saw it in the glass-aud her
resolution was taken.
Two diamond rings and diamond
spray she said, counting the gems
aloud, as she put them back in their
case. "A ruby and an amethyst brace
let, ruby ring. AMI garnet. But
where is the garnet neck lace, by the
way? How stupid of me to lose it -
And my husbands gift, too won.
der if have put it in my trunk p
The trunk stood very near the door of
the closet. She went and unlocked it.,
and tumbled its contents out upon the
floor. bending over it with her light,
while the man was within two feet of her!
l wonder how she had the nerve to do
it. Indeed, she said afterwards that she
knew he was bending down TOO, and
looking over her shoulder at the .rinkets
as she turned them over with a steady
hand and that her greatest difficulty
was to keep from breaking out into hys-
terical laughter, and SO betraying that
she knew of his presence.
The bracelet was not there. She
pushed the things aside patiently, shut
down the trunk and placed the candle
on the lid. Then she stood up with her
finger on her lip and her head bent
down.
Where can the necklace be p
She turned as if to 60 by the closet
towards chest of drawers that stood
in the corner of the room made one
step past it, whirled suddenly, and push
ing both hands upon the door with all
her might, locked and double locked it
inside Rs the robber threw himself
against it, to- late ; and, snatchine up
her candle sped out for help. She found
me as l have described, while I was
coming up the staircase, and she stood
at the head of it.
In three moments after she had spo-
ken to me, | came back with the land
lord, the waiter Charles, the head host
ler, and boots They were all strong
men and the landlord had his pistols.
Boots, l remember, carried the poker,
and l snatched up great carving knife
from the sideboard. What did the wo-
man do when she saw our procession,
but burst out laughing
You come as if you was going to Join
the army of Flanders she said after
she had related her dangerous adventure.
i have locked the man up safely, and
you will frighten him to death with your
savage looks
colored up to the roots Of the hair,
and gave my carving knife to Charles.
and sneaked benin. the rest. believe,
at that moment, I hated her.
1t was great sight to see her march
ing before us, with her light in her
hand. An English woman would have
tainted at being seen in dishabille by
five men but she, with the frank. free
bravery OF an American lassie, let the
circumstance explain the dress, and
marched US quietly into the room.-
There was her book upon her toilet
table, and there were the jewels glitter
ing in their case-the contents of her
trunk, as she had left them, on the floor
and the closet locked and silent.
She put the key in the landlords
hand.
Help the gentleman out she said
lazily.
think she was the bravest woman l
had ever seen, and l could not help
looking at her with admiration and re-
spect. She took great shawl from
chair and wrapped it around her form,
shiver!ng slightly, and then stood lit
tie aside and waited.
We heard the man breathing heavily,
as the key turned in the lock, and the
moment the door was open, he made a
savage rush out. knocking the landlord
and Charles down, as if they had been
boys. But "boots" and l caught him
and the hostlsr snatched leather strap
from Mrs. Arnold's trunk, and we had
him bound in moment. She sat in her
easy chair, looking on quietly. as if she
had been at play. and when his eyes met
hers, she smiled.
You see | was too much for you,'
she said quietly.
He growled out. You are clever
woman, by jingol ! didn't think there
was woman as could bring Bill New
ins in this
Thank you, my freind l never bad
a greater compliment paid me-
We lad hin, from, The 49,, ,d n.