Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-02-19
I found Mr.. and Mrs. Flinders much

excited. There had been an attempt to
rob the church. Indeed the scoundrels
had got access to the vestry, where the
consecrated plate was kept, but had most
fortunately been overheard, and an alarm
had been given by the sexton, whose cot
tage was hard by. This sacrilegious at
tack had raised a fresh hubbub, and all
Chesterton was excited and nervous
Timid people were hiring private watch
men to protect their dwellings,
"But you, Miss Primworth, with such
a sturdy man.servant, and a blunderbuss
charged with slugs, have an advantage
over poor parson like myself, the only
male creature in household of women
and without pistol or gun on the
premises not that | have fired one since
left college, but I envy you, Mortimer,
assure you," said the vicar, good hu-
moredly.
All that afternoon and evening Neptune
was very restless, and howlcd lamcntably
at intervals: long, boding howl, that
Jared upon my nerves and | twice
opened the window to chide the fine old
dog, who needed my voice more than
cooks or Elen's, So | opened the wind
, ow and called out:
Naughty Neptune! For shame, sir.
, lie down and be good, and don't make
such noise about nothing"
But if Neptune left off bowling, it was
only to sniff the air, and give long,
mournful whine, and then 60 clanklng
his chains very slowly, back to his kennel
tor while. The dog was thoroughly
, uneasy.
The last time l child the dog was lit
tie before tea time, and soon afterwards
Mortimer brought in the tea, | thought,
somehow, that my new buffers manner
was not exactly as usual-a little anxious,
perhaps, and furried though there was
nothing at which a more captious mistress
! than myself could have taken umbrage.
But Mortimer was habitualy 50 very
staid and cool, that trihin. alteration
was more remarkable in him than in an.
other, and | thought there was differ
ence. lie was more jerky in his move
ments, not so noiseless in his tread, and
made an unwontcd jinglins and clashng
with the tca-thires that did not seem con-
sonant with his usual calm deXterlty.-
However, said nothing, but when the
tea was made, happened to desire Nor
timer to pick up my glasses. have
9 good eyes yet, but usc g lasscs for small
print and mine had slipped off the table.
Mortimer picked up the & lasses, lad them
before me, bowed and retired. When he
was gone, anl was pouring oat my first
cup, saw a paper on the floor, ana pick
ed it up. quickly saw that it was none
of mine, but must have fallen out OF
Mortimer's pocket when he stopped for
the gla7scs.
If | had seen the paper an instant
earlier, before Mortimer had had timo to
90 down stairs, no doubt | should have
called to him to return and pick up what
he had lost. AS it was, I thought it not
worth while to ring the bell for such a
triae. Mortimer, with the rest Of the
sorvants, would come in presently to eve
! ming prayers, and then he could take his
letter, or whatever it was. So | sat still,
and went OH with NJ. Du Chailu's book OF
travels, as before. The night was very
hot, sultry, and still. 1t was warm
and close autumnal weather, and the
heavy air oppressed my spirits somehow.
Also-though am as little given to idle
fancies as most women Of my acqlant-
auce--thc sight Of that written scrap of
paper lying on the table put me in a
tidget. | could not help looking at it,
and its presence annoyed me, perhaps on
account of my aversion to litter and
thoughts on tho goriIlas while that paper
lay where it did.
And presently a new fancy arose with
in me, strange wish to 60 about the
house and satisfy myself that all was
right. 1t was not my practice personally
to examine the fastenings always left
that to the bolter. But on this partcul-
ar night an irresistible desire to see with
my own eyes to the security Of the place
causel me to light my bedroom candle,
and wander from room to room. went
down stairs first OF all. Tho dining-room
shutters were all up, bell and bars in
good order, and SO with the library, the
morning-room, and the rest. Front and
back, everything seemed firm AMI fast /;
and | was going away, when | noticed a
tiny lump of yellow beeswax in corner
near the front door, and halt mechani-
cally picked it up. Ny eyes fell on it,
and gave start OF surprise, for. the
wax bore the impress-not perfect, but
quite unmistakable, ofthc wards Of key,
don't suppose Robinson Crusoe, when
he found the footmark in the sand, was
much more Mortified than l was but |
soon recovered my composure. That the
impression of my door-kcy had been TAX
en- in wax, and for no good purpose was
clear since held the evidence in my
hand. | remembered the yillainous- look
ing locksmith whom | had that very day
seen at work in the house, and I felt pref
ty sure that he had dropped the lump
which l had SO fortunately found. Most
likely he was one of the gang OF depre-
dators whose actions had spread terror
through the district, and had profted by
the chance OF being employed to secure
means Of access to house that his
accomplices meant to rob. resolved
after prayers to speak to Mortimer on the
subject, and to consult with him on tho
best mode of ayerting the danger.