Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-11-02

anything else, sir, Only open it quick,
and lose no more time"
lie looked sharply round--M~. Lester
and Kate were standing at the door, with
their terrified, miserable faces. He took
in the rest of us with glance.
"Whcre's Maryp he said, suddenly.
No one spoke "Why the devil don't
you answer me2 Who is shut in there g.?
How could any enc be there2 Trash !"
But his face was growing ashy gray, and
his lips whitoned as he spoke. "Ah, my
God never shut the door! 1t is not
Mary not my girl that's" He pointed
with a shaking hand to the heavy door.
"And-I haven't the---keyw
He made one rush into the street; the
servants standing about were swept right
and left, as he tore past them, down Or
chard street into Oxford street. They
could see the hOtless, fleeing figure disap-
pcaring in the distance.
Mrs. Lester came into the hall. The
doctor and Others were busy about poor
Jack March, who lay on the dming-room
sofa with closed eyes, happily unconscious
, The timid mistress Of the house stood by
the staircase, her face, her voice, her whole
appearance changed and aged in the last
hour.
Gle has gone for the key he can't be
back" she said, speaking like a woman i'll
dream, "not for half an hour" She
looked round stupidity, and smiled. He
will kill me, you know; but the cabinet
| shM be broken opcn-broken to pieces !!
Never mind Fancy woiliag for the key "
she laughed. "BreRk it down, / tell you
give the order. Doyou hear meg"
Two workmeu came from the side door,
where fresh and useless attempt had
been made to remove the panel without
injury to the front or to the imprisoned
girl.
We might loosen the woodwork, and
strike it out, mum; and 60 on taking out
screws, same time"
"DO it,"
Sharp blows upon chiscls now, aud soy
eral screws removed from lock and hinges.
"Strike at the hinges with the Ratchet"
came Mrs. Testers altered voice, hard and
wiry, usually so low and hcsitating. "Cut
them through it can be done-it Shal."
They struck with a will; the Ratchet
edge was pressed to the weakest part, and
heavy blows from mallet upon that The
Ratchet edge was turned, and dmt made ;
some Of the work injured and broken-but
no more.
"Cut through the PANEL suggested
Kate "Surely wood can be broken"
ats all lined with iron, num-" sald
Davis; ait is as good as a safe. But we
might try
Three telling blows. The room sudden
Iy darker, a chill aough Of wind from the
window, and the door swung to with a
bang. Every one looked round. \ erowl
Of distant thunder, and faint flash OF
lightning accounted for it the next moment.
More blows, and \ long ominous roll, and
the lightning playing across the great
arinoire; then an ayalanch Of rain ana hail
all strange and incongruous on this fine
evening. The room was nearly dark. One
, of the men spoke: "IS there Stcp-ladder
in the house ?" 1t WAS brought. "l'll
try the top, with your leave, ma'am. Nh,
, if had light now! !" He was given &
taper from the library table "Blll"--
to his companion" look here; hold the
light, and keep hand ON the side" lie
lifted the Ratchet and gave a swinging
blow~ano.hcr-an awful clip Of thunder,
and the next flash showed every white
face to the other. Quick steps in the hall.
and the door flung wide open; wild, wet
figure threw the key amongst us, and fell
in heap upon the floor. With wrench
the man on the ladder tore oil the upper
moulding, and half the roof of the almore.
Mrs. Lester took up the key, fumbled with
the lock, and let it fall with a shrek.
Barker caught it from her, put in, and
turned it. "Opcn it," she whispered TO
one Of the men; 81 can't" She turned
away, sick with dread. 1t was opened,
showing nothing but the terrible inner
door, whose spring was only known TO the
master, lying scnseleSs on the floor
take of more here" one Of the men
shouted; "it will give air till tie doors
got open"
Good thought, They worked sayaeely.
Mrs. Lester was on her knees by her
husband. "Oh, get brandy! Get him to
speak lie could tell us now" They
did what they could. civilian On,
speak to me! How can | open it, the
spring-the inner door N
The white lips moved, and the head,
with its dripping hair, rolled to one side,
but no sound came. The men worked
wildly now. All thought of sparing the
beautiful frCnt and braSs-work was forgot
ten. They tore and hammered at the
inner door, whose smooth polished surface
presented no creyice or joint where to
strike lilst-whcrc to insert chisel OF
direct blow. As they worked, conscious
ness returned to Mr.. Lester; he half sat
up, supporting himself against the door;
but no words came, though his lips moved
and his eyes looked with intense cagerncss
at the destruction Of his precious armoire
He lifted his hand and looked mutely AT
his wife. She put her head down to his
lips. "What is it? What shall te
them to do ?" He beat his hand upon the
floor.
Kate sprung forward. 81 know
know! Strike on the floor, at the foot Oh
the inner door Oh, I remember, it wa,
there "
Davis felt with his hand all along the
polished surface of the lowest shelf. Here
press here. Give me a hammer" He
felt slight rise, and struck gradually al
about the spot Kate showed him, A deaf
ening clap of thunder, and flash, binding
us for moment, and we all crowded close
and then came a creak, drowned in the
awful thunder.
"It's open," said one Of the men.
Kate slid to the floor, twisting my dres:
about her head.
Davis turned from the door. 81 daren't
look" he said. "Do yod," to the carpen
ter's man. "Open it gently"
Barker stretched forward, turned round
tried to say something, and burst out cry
ing