The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-11-03

servants standing about were swept right
and left, a. be tore past them, down Or
chard street into Oxford street. They
could see the hatleSs, fleeing figure disap-
I pcaring In the distance.
Mts. Lester came into the hall. The
doctor aud Others were busy about poor
Jack March, who lay on the dining room
sofa with closed eyes, happily unconscious
I The timid mistress Of the house stood by
the staircase, her face, her voice, her whole
I appearance changed aud aged In the last
hour.
lie has gone for the key he can't be
back she said, speaking like woman in
dream, "not for halt an hour She
looked round stupidity, and smiled. " He
will kill me. You know; but the cabinet
shall be broken open-hroken 90 pieces
Never mind. Fancy TGi:lHg for the key y
she laughed. Break il down, tell you
/ give the order. Doyou hear me ln
! Two wnrkmen came from the side door,
where fresh and useless attempt had
T been made 70 remove the panel without
injury 10 the front or 90 the imprisoned
/ girl.
We might loosen the woodwork, and
strike il out, mum; and go ON taking out
screws, same time
"DO it.n
Sharp blows upon ehisels now, aud sew
/ eral screws removed from lock and hinges.
Strike at the hinges with the hatchet," !"
came Mrs Lester's altered voice, hard and
wiry, usually so low and heSitatlng. "Cut
them through il Gun be done-it shall
They struck with a will the hatehet
edge was pressed to the weakest part, and
heavy blows from mallet upon that. The
hatchet edge was turned, and dinLmade !;
some of the work injured and broken-but
no more.
"Cut through the panel suggested
Kate. Surely wood can be broken
Its all lined with iron, num- said
Davis; sit is as good as a safe. But we
might try
Three telling blows The room sudden
ly darker chill sough Of wind from the
window. aud the door swung 20 with
bang. Every one looked round. \ growl
of distant thunder, and a faint fash OF
lightning accounted for il the next moment.
More blows, and long ominous roll, and
the lightning playing across the great
armoire; then an ayalanch OF rain and hail
all strange and inoongruOuS on this fine
evening. The room was nearly dark. One
Of the men spoke: " Is thsre a step-ladder
in the house ~ liz was brought. "Hll
try the top, with your leave, maam All,
if I had a light now ~ He was given a
taper from the library table. Bill"-|
10 his companion-"l look here; hold the
light, and keep = hand on the side.n lie
lifted the hatchet and gave 3 swinging
blow-anOther-an awful clip of thunder,
and the next flash showed every white
face 10 the other. Quick steps in the hall,
and the door flung wide open; wild, wet
figure threw the key amongst US, and fell
in a heap upon the floor. With wrench
the man ON the ladder tore of the upper
moulding, and half the roof Of the armoire.
Mrs. Lester took up the key, tumbled with
the lock, and let il fall with shrek.
Barker caught il from her, put i' in, and
turned il. "Open it,n she whispered 10
one of the men; al can't.n She turned
away, sick with dread. IL was opened,
showing nothing but the terrible inner
door, whose spring was only known 20 the
master, lying senseleSs on the floor.
"Take OF more here" one Of the men
shouted; "it win give air till tie doors
got OPEN"
Good thought. They worked savagoly.
Mrs. Lester was on her knees by her
husband. "0h. get brandy Get him TO
speak, He could tell us howw They
did what they could William Oh,
speak 20 me How can ! open Il, the
spring-the inner door ~
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 front and braSs-work was forgot
ten. They tore and hammered at the
inner door, whose smooth polished surfa e
presented no erevice or joint where to
strike first-wherc 20 insert a chisel or
direct blow. As they worked, console us
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 eagerncSs
At the destruction OF his precious armOire.
He lifted HIS hand and looked mutely at
his wife. She put her head down 20 his
lips. "What is itl What shall | tell
them to do n lie beat bis hand upon the
floor.
Kate sprung forward. 81 know I
know Strike on the floor, at the foot OF
the inner door, oh, remember, il was
there !"
Davis felt with his hand all along the
polished surface Of the lowest shelf. "Hcfe,
press here. Give me a hammer He
felt a slight rise, and struck gradually all
about the spot Kate showed him. A deaf
ening clap Of thunder. and fash, 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 dress
about her head.
Davis turned from the door. 81 darcn't
look, :" he said. "Do you,h To the carpen-
ter's man. "Open il gently"
Barker stretched forward. turned round,
tried to say something, and burst out cry
ing.
al can't sce," said the man, with
strange, thick voice. Bring the light,
some one" For ten awful seconds there
was silence in the dim room, then a cry,
and a heavy fall.
"Saleen,n said a voice close to me, "do
you know it's n quarter past seven, and
you are due at the Testers at half-past
and not even dressed. Here's your book
fallen down."
had been asleep over an hour
II felt like conspirator at the Lesters'I
pleasant dinner, IT is not surprising, but
did not mention my dream.
BETTER IMAGINED THAN DESCRIBED. -
The feelings of q near-sighted man. who