Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-09-05
"Is the money there ?" said he.

with all my heart, so long as he spared
my life.
1.-The money-the gold-the notes
are they there?" cried he again in q
terrible sort of whisper.
at is all there" cried I, although !
knew nothing about it; call except ff
teen and sixpence in my purse, on the
dressing table yonder. There's sill
yer mustard pot in the pantry, and a
couple of candlesticks in the study, on.
ly they are plated, for l would not de-
ceive you, sir, on any account"
"You had better not" observed the
burglar, grimly, for it will be all the
worse for you"
He produced key like that my hus-
band used, and approached the iron
safe; but as be did SO his guilty ear
caught the sound of footstep upon the
stairs.
"Who is that ?'' cried he.
"My husband, sir" l returned ;
"but pray don't hurt him"
"ls he not gone to town, then p
cried the ruf6an with an oath of disap-
poiutment.
"He is going at twelve O'clock" l
replied che is indeed"
"If you tell him, woman" said the
burglar, hoarsely, eff you breathe but
one word of my presence here, it will
be the death doom of you both" He
then slipped back into the alcove and
drew back the bed to its place again in
an instant
My husband entered Immediately
afterward, and even while he was in the
room | heard the awful threat repeated
once again through the thick curtain
behind me. eff you do but whisper i,
woman, l will kill you where you lie. -
Will you promise me not to tell him p
81 WILL" said I, solemnly; 81 prom
ise not to open my lips at all about the
matter.'
Frank leaned over the pillow to kiss
me, and observed how terrified look
ed. "You have been frightening your.
self about robbers, again, I suppose,
you silly child'
"Not l, Frank" returned las cheer
fully as could; 81 have little head
ache" But | said with my fingers, SC
that he could plainly read it in the fire
light "For Gods sake hush. there is
man behind the bedstead"
Frank was as bold as a lion and had
nerves like iron, although he was SC
tender hearted and kind. He only an,
swered: "Where is your sal volatile
dearest ?" and went to the mantel- piece
to get it. l thought he never could
have understood me, he spoke with
such cooluess and unconcern, until ]
saw his fingers reply: "All right, don't
be afraid" And then l was not afraid
at least not much: for | knew l should
not be left alone one instant aud ]
thought my Frank was match for any
two such men in such case. Only he
had no weapon. "He has life-p
server" said with my fingers.
Your fire is getting rather low, Geor.
gey," observed he, as he took up the
poker. Cab F! be had weapon, then. )
II must leave you good blaze to com,
fort you before | 60"
He poked the fire aud left the poker
in, without ever taking his eyes off me
and the bedstead. "I will just ring
the bell and see whether Thomas has
got the portmanteau ready. Mary
continued he to the maid who answered
the bell, "seud Thomas up Then
when she bad gone upon that errand
.'by Jove I never gave him that key.
Where is it, Georgey? l have not 0
minute to spare. If it is in your dress.
ing case with the rest, l shall be an age
looking for it. Might l ask you to get
out of bed for an instant, and show inc
where it is p He said with his fingers,
"Jump = and l jumped, you may be
sure, quick enough, and was inside the
dressing room, with the door locked, in
half second. "Come in Thomas, y
said Frank, "come in" for Thomas
was modestly hesitating at the chamber
door. "There's some blackguard goI
into the house, and behind my bed
there If he makes the least resistance
I'll kill him with this hot poker"
At these words the bed was pushed
slowly outward, and the burglar, with
out his Grape mask, and with a face as
pale as ashes, emerged from his hiding
place. Frank knew him at once as
having been bank messenger, who had
been turned out of his situation. since
the FIRE, on suspicion of dishonesty.
"Oh, sir, have pity upon me" cried
he. Il am an uulucky dog. If it had
not been for sneeze | should have had
ten thousand pounds in my pocket by
this time"
"Oh! you came after that, did you
said my husband, coolly. Well, please
to give up that life -preserver which you
nave il your pocket before we have any
more conversation.
"And did your lady tell you that toe
cried the villain in accents of astonish
ment, as he delivered up the weapon te
the man servant; and yet I stood by
her yonder, and never heard her utter
a single SYLLABLE
81 never spoke word" cried
through the dressing room key hole, fol
did not wish the man to think had
broken my oath, nor, to say the truth
was 1 anxious to make deadly enemy
of him, in case he should ever be al
large again.
"Then it's judgment upon me =