The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-07

letters and picture IN her pocket, locked
the box, and drawing the veil over her
face, pointed to the door. opened it,
and as she passed into the street, she
merely whispered" remember ]" We
met again, and have been thus particular.
in describing her visit to the shop, to
render probable a subsequent recognition.
About two o'clock In the morning, in
the latter part of May following, I wss
awoke by a gentle tap upon the window
of the little room back of the shop ia
which lodged. Thinking of burg glars,
| sprang out of bed, and in a moment was
at the window, with heavy hammer il
my hand which 1 usually kept at that
time within convenient reach of the bed
side
Who's there p / inquired, raising
the hammer, and peering out into the
darkness for it was as dark as Egypt
when under the curse of IsraePs Sod.
"H:st p exclaimed a figure, s.epping
in front of the window I" open the doo-,
l have business for you"
g Rather past business hours, | should
say but who are you Z"
"No one that would harm you" re-
turned the voice, which imagined was
rather feminine for a Burglars.
"Nor no one that can - / replied,
rather emphatically, by way of warning,
as l lightened my grip upon the hammer,
and proceeded to the door. l pushed
back the bolt, and slowly opening the
door, discovered the stranger already upon
the steps.
What do you want" I abruptly ia
quired.
81 will tell you," answered the same
soft voice, "it you dare open the door
wide enough for me to enter"
''Come in said 1 resolutely, throwing
the door ajar, and proceeding to light a
candle. Having succeeded, I turned to
examine the visitor. He was small and
neatly dressed gentleman, with heavy
Raglan around his shoulders, and blue
navy cap drawn suspiciously over the eyes.
As | advanced toward him, he seemed to
| hesitate a moment, then raised the cap
| from his forehead, and looked me curious
| ly in the face. 1 did not drop the cam
ale, but 1 acknoqledge9 30 T. little ner>
vousness as hurredly placed the light
upon table and silently proceeded to in
vest myself with two CIR three very Beees-
sary articles of clothing. AS the Lord
liVeth, my visitor was lady, and the
same for whom I had opened the lit
tie box about month before Having
completed my hasty toilette, attempted
to stammer an apology for my rudeness,
but utterly failed The fact is, was cou-
founded.
Smiling a my discontinue, she said
disguise is useless; | presume you
recognize me ?''
" | believe told you, madam, I should
not soon forget your face. In what can
[ serve you ?''
"By doing half an hours work before
daylight tomorrow, and receiving five
hundred dollars for your labor" was the
reply.
at is not ordinary work." said I, in.
quiringly, "that commands so munifeent
compensation"
alt is labor common to your calling"
replied the lady "The price is not SO
much for the labor. az the condition under
which it must oe performed
"What is the condition z" I INQUIRED
'"That you will submit to being convey
ed from and returned to your own door
blindtolded"
Ideas of murder, burglary, aud almost
every other crime known 90 villainy, hur-
riedly presented themselves in succession,
as | politely lowed, and said:
81 must understand something more OF
the character of the employment, as well
as the conditions, to accept your offer"
| "Will not FIVE hundred dollars answer
in lieu of an explanation 2" she inquired.
"No-nor five thousand"
She patted her foot nervously on the
floor. could see she had placed entirely
too low an estimate on my honesty, and |
telt some qualification in being able to
convince her of the fact
"Well, then, if it is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she replied, Il
must tell you that you are requested to
] nick the lock of vault, and"
| "You have gone quite far enough,
madam, with the explanation" I inter
rupted, "I am not at your service"
GAS said,' she continued, "you are
required to pick the lock of vault, aud
rescue from death man who has been
confined there for three days"
'To whom does This vault belong 2'' [
inquired.
"My husband, Vas the oine.shat re ].
luotant reply.
"Then why SO much secresy, or rather,
how came man to be confined in such a
place ?"
81 secreted him there, to escape the OBJ
servation of my husband. He suspected
as much, and closed the door upon him.
Presuming he had lett the vault. and