The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-06-05

| Deen ike tlle OSlrlCIl, lIldL pulS llS uedu III
to the sand, and then magines itselfin per-
| feet security.
| had piqued myself on precautionary
measures, that after might just as well have
been omitted. The only thing, as | be-
lieve, which saved my reason from depart
ing altogether when first heard that ter
rible sound was that my mind chung to
the hope that after all might be only the
sneeze of a cat. Fifty cats together could
not have made half the disturbance, it is
true, for it was snee1e in spite of himself,
and the conclusion almost shocked the
house. but the idea sustained me over the
| first shock.
The next instant, and the wretch sneezed
again, and pushing aside the bed, which
rolled on castors fell that he was standing
beside my pillow looking at me. If he had
given but one sneeEe, he might perhaps
have believed me, as / lay quite still
breathing as regularly as could, and pre-
tending to be asleep; but he reasoned very
justly, that unless | was deaf or dead, |
must have been awakened by the sound.
"You are awake, marm," said he in a
very gruff voice, "and it's no use your
shamming Ifyou don't want a slap with
this life preserver, just look alive"
| opened my eyes exceedingly wide at
this, and saw man with a Grape over his
face, standing by the bed he had club
with two knobs on it, in his right hand, and
with his left pointed to the safe.
us the money there ~
"The plate is" said l, with tremulous
voice ''pray take it, sir, I'm sure you are
very welcome )" for he might have takeA
everything valuable in the house, with all
my heart, so long as he would leave me
alive.
I "The money-the gold-the notes-are
there ~ he cried again in whisper
otis all there" replied l, though knew
nothing about it "all except fifteen and
sixpence in my purse on the table yonder.
There's silver mustard pots, besides, in the
pantry, and couple of candlesticks in my
husbands study, only they are plated, and
| would not deceive you sir, on any &C
count
"You had better not" said the burglar
grimly, "or it'll be the worse for you"
He Immediately produced a key like that
my husband used, and approached the
safe f.; but as he did so his guilty ear caught
sound of footsteps on the stairs.
"Who is that ?"
"My husband" said I, "but pray don't
hurt him.
"Is he not gone to town then" cried the
ruffian with an oath of disappointment.
"Ie is going at twelve" replied |, "he is
indeed"
eff you tell him, woman" said the bur-
glar hoarsely, "if you breathe but one
word of my presence here it will be the
death doom of you both )" he had slipped
into the alcove and drawn the bed back to
its place in an instant.
My husband entered himself immediate
ly afterward, and even while he was in the
room l heard the awful threat repeated
again through the thick curtain behind
me.
eff you but Whisper it, woman, / will
kill you where you lie. Promise not to tell
him."
81 WILL" said I solennly II promise not
to open my lips at all about the matter"
Frank leaned over the pillow to kiss me,
and observing how terrified looked, said /:
"You have been frightening yourself
about robbers again, suppose, you silly
child"
"Not l, Frank" returned as cheerfully
as | could. 81 have little headache :"
but said with my fingers, so that he could
plainly read it in the freight. "For Gods
sake be quiet But there is certainly a
man behind the head board"
Frank was as bold as lion, and had
nerves like iron, although he was so tender
hearted and kind. He only answered:
"Where is your sal volatile, dearest ?"
and went to the mantle piece to get it. /
thought he never could have understood
me, he spoke with such GOODNESS and I'M
concern, until saw his fingers reply as he
took up the bottle. "Al right, don't be
afraid"
And then l was not afraid, or at least not
much, for l knew shouldnot be left alone
for one instant, and l thought that my
Frank was a match for any two such men
in such a case, only he had no weapon.
"He has lite-preserver," said I, with my
fingers.
"Your fire is getting rather low now,
Georgey," observed he as he took up the
poker, (ah he had weapon then.) Il
must leave you good blaze before 60"
He fixed the fire and left the poker in
but without taking his eyes off me or the
headboard
SIN just ring the bell and see whether
Thomas has got the portmanteau ready.
MARY" continued he to the maid that
came to the door, "send Thomas up
Then when she had gone on the Grand
"By Jove never gave him that key
Where is it, Georgy ? Ihave not moment
to lose. If it is in your dressing case with
the rest, shall be an age in looking for it
Might | ask you to get out of bed for mo-
ment and show me where it is ?"
He said with his fingers Jump and
jumped, you may be sure, quick enough
and was inside the dressing room with the
door locked in half second.
"Come in, Thomas" said Frank "Come
in, for Thomas was modestly hesitating at
the chamber door. There is some black
guard got into the house, and behind the
bed there. If he makes the least resist
lance, I'll kill him with this poker"
AT these words the bed was pushed slow
ly outward, and the burglar, without his
Grape mask, and his face as pale as ashes,
came out from his hiding place. Frank
knew him as bank messenger, who had
been out Of employment since the fire. on
suspicion of his honesty.
"Oh sir, have pity on me-" cried he, I'm
an unlucky dog. If it hadn't been for
sneeze should have ten thousand pounds
in my pocket by this time"
"Oh, you came after that, did you a
Well, give up that life preserver you have
in your pocket before we have any more
conversation" said my husband coolly.
did your lady tell you that, too and
/