Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-01-21
CHARLESTOWN, SATURDAY, JANUARY 2l, 1871.

anu tile WcSteFu hhy was al = h's''iV w" f"'
pT5 and gold, Inez SIT by the window Of her
apartment, which opened cut into the grounds
which surrounded the house.
A casket OF jewels lay open upon the table
by her side. sparkling in the golden light that
flashed in through tie window.
She was expecting the arrival Of her lover as
soon as the darkness was well down, and was
arraying herself SO that she might please him,
whom she loved with all her sou!.
The rising Of the moon was 10 be tie signal
of his coming, but that would not follow the
sunset for more than an hour, so she had pen-
ty OF time to make herself look as beautiful as
possible IN his eyes.
Taking glitterins necklace from thecaskct
she threw it over her beautiful head, while
each gem of which it WAS composed flashed
like flame in the golden light
Thus engaged in Identifying her person FOR
the eyes Of him she loved, she WAS not aware
that every motion of hers Was watched by the
sinister gaze of person so close 70 her that
she could almost have touched him had she
put out her hand.
Crouching by tho window By which she sat
was man whose every look showed him to be
villain of the deepest dye, and one who would
not hesitate 20 STRIFE blow in the breast of
innocence, If thereby he could accomplish his
wicked ends.
lie had gained his present position unseen
/ by Iuez, who absorbed in the contemplation Of
her jewels and her toilet. had cast no look out
side.
From about the other buildings on the op-
posite side Of the court had crept, keeping be-
hind that which would afford him shelter until
he had gained the position in which we sec
him.
With every movement Of Inez, and with
every flash of the jewels, the eager, wistfullook
deepened upon the face Of the villain, and
blended with that which bespoke the depravity
of his soul, while his hand played nervously
with long, murderous looking knife which he
carried but half concealed in bis garments.
Evidently he would have slain her without
the least hesitation, to have possessed himself
Of the wealth she was all unconsciously dis
playing to his eager eye.
That TO rob the house or her, was his inten-
ton, there could be no doubt. With his body
half hidden by the shrubbery which grew be-
meath the window, he remained motionless, but
with his eyes fixed upon the jewels.
And so the sun went down, and the golden
light died out, and the shadows Of night began
to usurp its place.
Still Inez sat by the window as she had done
for the hour past. But her eyeswere no longer
fixed upon her jewels, but outthrough the win
dow to catch tho first glimpse of her lover, who
would como with the first rays Of the white
moon beams falling Upon the gFounds without.
The villain beneath the window did not try
to look into the room now. He dared not do
it for fear he should be detected Once the
girl had started as lie had done so, and he was
| dlIdlQ uC Htil OIGu otSHt bAb aS oAS
quiet, he thought he was mistaken
Darkness now gathered fast about the house.
The light OF day had faded out, but away in
;he east the white light was gathering fast, tell
ing that the moon would soon be above tie
horizon.
The two watchers noted this, but with what
different thoughts and emotions. Inez with
joy, for it would bring her lover to her side /:
and the villain saw in it signal for him to be
up and at work while the gloom lasted
Would he possess himself Of the jewels, he must
do it before the surroundings should be flooded
with moonlight
To do it be must sacrifice her, for he had
waited long and patiently for her to leave the
room, but she had not.
But now be must force an entrance into the
room, or it would be TOO late.
1t must be done BY the window, and still she
sat there gazing out into the darkness and the
least motion on bis par: conld not fail to at
tract her attention.
Could he suddenly spring up end strike her
with his knife, so surely that she could make
no sound?
lie asked himself the question, and though
he was not sure, he saw 10 other way to &C
complish hir object.
Drawing his knife, he rose slowly up, and at
that moment he was startled by movement
on her part, and he sank down again.
She appeared to have risen from Der scat
and was moving to another portion Of the
apartment
In a moment bis eyes were on a level with
the window-sill, and he saw her standing at
the opposite side Of the room, in the act Of
linghting lamp.
Now was lis time if ever and in moment
he had placed his hand on the windoB-sill to
prepare himself for the spring.
With bound he went through, aud lighted
so softly upon bis fee: that th. action made
hardly sound.
Inez, intent upon the occupation Of the mo-
ment, did not look round, and the robter had
the field to himself.
The casket lay where she had closed it, aud
in moment more be had itin bis possession.