The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-11-23

/
short, like Watts sinner, or some
body else's, IF I perished, I resolved
I'd perish only there -
/ stole down to execute my plan
My brain, my limbs, my entire person
never rendered me more exquisitely
perfect service than on that .eyentful
night. Every muscle seemed instinct
with a special intellect of its own.
Ny physique followed the dictates of
my flashing will with precision won
derful 70 reflect upon. .sss
1 went below as still as the dead.
L made but slow progress, for the halls
and passages were perfectly dark,
and was Obliged to grope my way
along them by the sense of touch
alone.
Atlast I reached the dreaded door
at which the burglars were working.
Beside it, but open ing at right angles
to it, there was an entrance into the
studio, through which I must pass. ,
just as 1 gained the studio door the
robbers stopped work; and one of
them held the lantern up to the front
lkeyhele. The light shown through
upon my night gown. The same per-
son tried the door softly; it opened.
He did not come in, but left it ajar.
He and his associate were then silent,
and I felt that they were moving
away. RI, 5le
1 entered the studio and pressed
forward as fast as I dared. The stu
dio windows were always secured at
night by inside shutters and cross
bars ;now, however, to my intense
horror, 1 perceived that one of them
was standing wide open. Some of
the household within had Enclosed it
to the robbers. So much was clear
/ felt a futter near me like that of
a wOman's drapery, fitting by between
myself and the wall. The tableaux
jewelry was in process of transfer no
doubt. had not thought of the jew
elry before We had been betrayed
by that fattering, smooth-faced female
william of a Marianne, after all; and
she was escaping.
Not SO J I was inspired with new
project. Instantly tore open door
just opposite me it was that of the
paint room-and, entirely unguarded
as the creature was, I easily pushed
her through it. 1 heard her fall with
a dead heavy thump upon the earth
ern floor.
The paint-room, as I must explain,
was sort of cave, or cellar, under
meath the western wing of the house.
1t had been formerly used as labra-
tory, but was now devoted to the stor-
age of paints and dangerous chemic-
ais. The stairs had been removed as
-
precautionary measure; Professor
Button always used light ladder,
from the loft. in going up and down,
However, down Mariannie went with
out ladder or preamble.
In momentI became aware that
there was some other person in the
ID =
room. Twas sure Of it, 1 heard a
breathing near me. 1t was hard and
half-panting, but repressed, and so low
that in my normal condition I should
not have heard it at all. =.
/ stood stiff and still as marble
block. Nobody could have heard me
breathe. Whoever it was brushed
past me. n5--- .s5.5
1T was one of the burglars; at least
it was man, and I caught him by
the arm. He attempted to grasp me
by the throat, but 1 was too nimble
for him. I whirled about in such a
way as to bring him close to the open
door Of the paint7room. Evidently
he did not understand his position I
slapped him in the face-if anything
will confuse man that will do SO.
The fellow endeavored to seize my
hands. At the same moment he
stepped back. gave him thrust in
the pit of the stomach, and had the
pleasure of hearing him founder over
backwards and tumble into the depths
after Marianne.
thought he did not fall quite to
the floor. but fancied he had caught
at some support in his descent. Quick
as lightning I slammed the door to-
gether behind him, drew the bolt, and
ran as if possessed by the furies to re-
port matters tc Professor Button. ~
In the meantime the burglars made
off with our jewelry, and also, as we
soon found, with the school plate.
Marianne raved like madwoman.
She stormed, she cajoled. she threat
ened, she protested, she swore.
We heard nothing from our other
prisoner; not a sound escaped him.
We spoke to him, OF course, but OBJ
tanned no reply.
is he hurt r asked Marianne.
She laughed little low fierce chuck
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