Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-07-26

MISS Mclean ana MISS LLOYD are not 10
leave their room until permission is given"
was the message from the doctor.
week passed on, and still the culprits
were not allowed to mingle with their COM
panions. Difficult lessons, solitary meals.
and short walks constituted their present
punishment. What the good doctor had fur
ther in store for them the girls coull not inns
agine. They frequently found ways and
means to meet together in each others rooms,
and then came the speculatons, and rueful
sighs and looks but strange to tell, not one
sign of repentance for their transsression.
On one Of these occasions, Ray Lloyd sud
denly turned from the moon she was conten.
plating, and said to her companions in sig
niicant tone,-
Tomorrow is the 25th, girls
A quick murmur Of surprise answered her,
and then En- Ferriday shrugged her shoulders
saying gloomily,-
aWe cannot do it Ray. Have we not suffi-
cicnt to answer for already 2
Sim Ferriday retreating. Can it be pos
sible?' exclaimed Ray, with touch Of scorn
expressed in her tones.
"No you mistake; am ready for it, ans
swered the other, quickly.
"Well and good then tomorrow night, at
half past eight, down by the fountain. Good
night, all !" and opening the door the two Wis
itors passed out of Rays room into their own;
The next day passed as usual. Al half
past eight o'clock four hooded and shawled
figures started silently out into the public
road. When at a safe distance the girls sat
down to put on their shoes, which had been
carried in their hands. As they were about
starting again, a sound OF low voices alarmed
them Hastily concealing themselves behind
some dense shrubbery, the trembling run
aways waited in darkness. Three dark fig
ures now appeared, and TO the terror Of the
girls, stood very near their place of conceal
ment.
sSee here Jim must get in at the old docs
tors back window, you know; and then, after
he settles the doctor, he must let us in, for he
knows all about the building, he says" spoke
acoarse voice.
"Course does" came another voice, which
was recognized by the girls as John, the for>
| mer gardener, who had been lately dismissed
from service at Halberg.
And now for two long hours the poor girls
the three villains for the robbery of Halberg
and the probable murder of the old doctor. At
length, ore of the men, who seemed to be
leader, said,-
ssIt is time,' and they disappeared in the
darkness.
Then Ray Lloyd, perfectly composed, turned
to her companions. Florrie Berne and Annie
Mclean were trembling and weeping, while
En-, Terriday, with white lips and staring
eyes, was gazing at the place where the men
had disappeared.
sCompose yourselves, girls, whispered Ray
'',here is no danger 10 you now, but must go
and warn the doctor at once
Il will go with you, Ray" said En- Ferri-
day resolutely.
.NO. UO. tleIe Is uSSd VI II. w III 81
alone, for if we were seen Here Ray S lips
and face grew white in the moonbeams; but
hastily pressing the hand of each, the brave
girl murmured =" Good bye and was gone.
Having reached the seminary gatei in safety,
now came the greatest risk Of all. What #
those three villains had arrived before her,
and were hiding in the shrubbery of the long
avenue? She would instantly be seen by
them, and she felt how easy it would be for
them to spring behind her and silence her
forever. Crushing down the rising horror,
and gathering her dress up so as not to impede
her, she determined to make the attempt.
Her plans were already laid, and as soon as
she reached the front porch she placed her
hands on the open woodwork of the sides,
and drew herself up toward the roof. Here
she sank down exhausted, keeping herself
we'll in the shadows of the vines. Then draw
ing carefully toward the doctors room, she
tapped lightly on the window.
knowing the doctor to be easily awakened,
she heard him fastening toward the window
after moment delay. Ray had by this time
pushed up the SASH and now, with warning
to the principal to be quiet, she sprang into
the room, and hastily told her story.
The old doctor stood in silence for moment
then, as creaking sound broke on his ears'
he caught up heavy cane from the corner,
and took his place at the back window, first
giving Ray . match, and placing it near the
lamp ready to light at his word.
Among the shadows with upliftcd arm stood
tho self-possesed doctor, while Ray, still
breathlcss and fatigued, was opposite with her
match.
Still that soft, creaking noise was heard, as
if some one was ascending ladder. Present
ly head appeared at the window, in . eau
tious, listening attitude, and then man
slowly entered the room. Aquick, heavy thud,
and senseless heap lay on the floor. A