The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-05-05

Wll6Te L sat DuC my uttuu 1hllcu " H1el IT,
A low chuckle came from the occupant of
the old chair.
THAT was a clever thought of you, ,missus, /"
came forth in deep, rough voice, and in q
tone of easy insolence. "Clever thought,
marm but bless your simple soul, do you
think | was a going to leave that ere cord
there for you to make noise with ? Not by
no means. It's well to be careful when
you're in this kind of business, marm and so
when you left me alone here before dark-I
then being under the bed, you see--I crawl
ed out and took survey of the place"
My strength was returning; I became re-
assured as | saw that the man intended no
violence to myself.
"What do you want ?'' asked.
He chuckled again, and replied, ''Now
that's good you're a business woman, marin !;
you come right to the point, without any
nonsense. I'm going to tell you what I
WANT
He rose from the chair as he spoke and
crossed the room to the bureau, passing so
close to me that his boots brushed the skirts
Of my dress I shuddered, and drew my
chair back-I could IL help betraying my
fear.
''Be quiet. marm," he said. Il don't
mean to hurt you, if I can help it, Keep
still and l won't Let's have look each
other''
He removed the shade and looked at me
for full half a minute, as 1 sat in the glare of
the lamp. He was large, brawny fellow,
full six feet high, and dressed in an old suit
of fustian cloth. His face was entirely con-
cealed by Grape mask not feature of it
could l see. from his neck to the crown of
his head. He leaned one arm upon the bu-
reau, and regarded me attentively.
''You don't know me-" he remarked, in an
ordinary tone. "No, of course not; it's best
for you that you shouldn't. I thought at first
there. was something familiar in your face;
but I fancy l was mistaken. Well, to busi-
ness, marm." And he assumed a sharp
tone, and looked carefully at the bureau
''Tve got a pistol here, missus"-and he
slapped his pocket; "but you're too sensible
woman, 1 take it, to make me use it ON YOU
l want that money. There's five hundred
pounds of it in this drawer; you have the
key-give it to me!''
l handed it to him without word
"Ill leave you now minute, missus," he
said, rapidly inserting the key, turning it, and
opening the drawer, '*with many thanks for
your good behavior. Is this it?''
He took out the package, and held it up.
This is the money" l said.
''She might deceive me, after ALL" heard
him mutter; and thrusting his forefnger in
to the end of the envelope, he ripped it open,
and pulled the end of the notes out into sight.
eyes, here it is. Now"
He had thrust the package into his pocket.
and was about to close the drawer, when his
attention was caught by something within it.
He started, and thrust his hand into the
drawer, and taking out an object that was
well acquainted with, he bent over and scru-
tinized it, holding it closer to the lamp. How
did wish that could see the expression of
his face at that moment! He held in his
hand an ivory miniature of my husbands
face, faithful picture, made by an artist
years before, at my request.
"Whose face is this ?' the robber demand
ed, in voice that trembled with eagerness
My husbands" replied
''Your husband's? Yes, yes-but his
name?r
s.EiJah Croly"
Captain Croly ?" he demanded in the same
tone.
"Yes."
'The same who commanded the barque
Calvert, that used to run out of Liverpool?"
nodded my head. Iknew that this vessel
was the last one that my husband had sailed
on the ocean before he bought his own coast
er; in fact, it was the same in which came
to England.
''And this is Captain Croly's money ?--this
is his house ?-you are his wife 9' he asked,
rapidly, giving me no time to answer his
questions. eyes, yes-I see it all. Great
God. to think what l was just about to do "
He dropped into the nearest chair, appar-
emily faint with emotion; but while | sat in
deep surprise at the unexpected turn that this
affair had taken, he said, 'sYou have no rea-
son to fear now; [ will not rob you; l will
not harm you. Only don't make noise.
Please open the door, and you will find Jane
your woman, [ mean-waiting in the pas
sage"
l obeyed; l did not know what else to do.
I unlocked and opened the door; and there,
to my astonishment, stood Emily Sands. ar
rayed in her bonnet and shawl, with bum
die in her handwriting, I have no doubt
for signal from within. She started upon
seeing me; but the man Immediately called
to her by the name of Jane, telling her to
come in.
She passed by me as she did so; and
whispered, ''Oh, how could you betray me ?''
She manifested no shame or sorrow, though
| know she must have heard the whispered
words; her face was hard and unwomanly,
and its expression was sullen. And could
not doubt that she had played the spy upon
my husband and myself, and had betrayed
us to this man.
"Pve very few words to say to you, ma am, +"
said the man; and all the boldness and inso-
lence had gone out of his voice, leaving it
gentle and sorrowtul. ''Just few words to
ask you to forgive us for what we meant to
do, and to tell you what has happened to
change my mind SO suddenly, and why we
can't rob you, as we meant to do"
He took the package from his pocket with
the words, and tossed it into my lap.
THAT money belongs to the man that l
love and honor more than any other on earth.
I'm hard customer, ma'am; we live by
dark ways and doings. Jane and I and
wouldn't have believed, when she let me in
here to-day and hid me, that could leave
the house without that money; but if I'd
known whom it belonged to, I'd sooner have
held out my right hand to be cut off than
come here as l have, and for what came.
used to be sailor, and l was with Captain
Croly in the Calvert. He was the very kind
est and best master that ever handled a
speaking trumpet, and there wasn't man
aboard the barque but loved him. One night
off Hatteras all hands were sent aloft to reef
in a heavy gale; and when they came down
again was missing. Where is he ~ the
captain asked; but none of them knew.
They hadn't noticed me since we all sprang
into the shrouds together. Overheard, I'm
afraid!' said the mate; and the men all