The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-07-21

out.
| was-not yet quiic ready for the
ordeal through which | knew must
soon pass. wanted to move my
light stand a little out of the way, and
to so arrange the bcd-clotbes that !
could spring from the bed without i'm
pediment. | therefore gave little
sigh, aud moved, a. if about to awake,
slightly opening my eyes vt tho same
time. The head and the hand instant
EIy disappeared. then composedly
made the desired changes in the posi-.
tion of the stand and the arrangement
of the clothes, put my watch with the
key of the safe under my pillow--so
near the edge that they could be cas-
lily taken ou,, rs knew they would
bc-extinguishcd one Of my candles
said my prayers, and closing my eyes,
resigned myseIfto my fate, with no
very sanguinc or definite hope of ex.
tricatiou from my perilous position.
| made my breathing rcgu'ar, and
a little louder than when was awake
and lay with my check on my hand,
counterfcitipg sleep. At last the
stiffness became more terrible than
even my first agony of fear. Several
times iancied that | heard a soft step
approach from the place Of conceal
ment. AS often | was deceived. Then
again that dreadful stiffness, in which
| counted the ticking OF the watch
through the pillow 1t was posi-
tive relief when he came out from be.
hind the curtain, stopped at the table
and stood looking at me, as | was well
aware though my eyes were closed
forced myself to breathe regularly
and audibly. H. came closer he
bent over me. lie passed the lighted
candle slowly before my iacc two OF
three times | felt the heat, and saw
the light through my closed lids which
must havo quivcred, though he did
not seem to observe their motion
Heaven gave mo strength not to move
or cry ont. Satisfied, apparently, he
put back the canjle-stick on the stand
and his hanl crept softly and slowly
under the pillow, aud, one by one, he
removed my watch and tho key of
the safe. lie stood so long looking at
mo tn at | felt impellel to open my
eyes suddenly upon him.
AS he walsel softly toward the
safe, / did partly open them, and eau
tiously watch him through my eye
lashcs. heard him fimbin, with
the lock, aud once he looked over to.
ward the bed. My eyes were wide
open, but | closed them in time not to
be detected. Watching him stealth
ly, | saw him optn tho door o: the
safe, 90 back to the stand for the can.
die and return TO tho safe. which he
entered without Withdrawing the key
from the lock.
Here was the opportunity for which
| had waited and watched. sprang
lightly from the bed with one bound
reached the safe, dashed tho door to,
turned the key, and with one long aud
loud shrek tell PROSTATE and seuse.
less on the floor Of the dark room.
How long | lay upon the floor, DO
not know-probably for few minutes
only-but, as was unconscious, it
seemed when came to myself as if the
interval had been long one. Twas
aroused by his blows upon the iron
door, and found myself weak after the
long, nervous tension, but still calm
| remembered the satisfaction with
which | thought, while lay there
before rising that he could not escape,
mingled with a vague and foolish dread
that hs mi sht 10 his rage burn the va
uablc contents Of the safe. He pound
ed desperately on the door, aud sworc
fearfully at finding himself entrappcd
But, as ! took no notice Of his out
cries, he soon grew quiet
Presently rose, and lighting a
candle, dressed myself with all posi-.
BILE haste, and with trembling fingers,
turning often to look at the safe, from
nnder the closed door of which Imore
than half expected to see blooi trick
ling-why, cannot tell, except that
my mind was full of images OF horror.
| was soon 10 readiness had no
means of ascertaining the time, as he
had my watch in his pocket, and there
was no clock in the room. Taking
the candle, | hasteued to arouse Di.
nah, who as | shook her, slowly open
cd her eyes, and with scarcely any
mere than her usual slowuess pronoun.
ced her formula "Well, Miss Lille,
what shall ] fy-Lord massy
what's de matter w.d de chile 4? You
amt seeo a ghost-have you, honeyy"
"No, Dinah but 1'vo seen some
thing worse than ghost. Two caugh,
a robber, and he's in the safe. What
time is it 7" and, looking at the clock
that ticking slowly aud deliberately
as how could Diuah's clock help do,
ing Y-l saw to my great relief that il
was nearly midnight.
| We had scarcely got down stairs
when heard the sound Of wheels.
A moment more, and my husband was
in my arms, listening with amazemeni
to a rapid narrative Of my singular
adventure. i would not suffer him tc
open the safe until Silas had summon
ed assistance from tho neighborhood
| feared that my desperate prisoner
might still escape, When tho safe
was opened, there sat my burglar OF
. Ia 49,. L.tr ....~.G.J Ca Az .u.,,