The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-11-23
several screws removed from lock and

several screws removed from lock and
hinges.
"Strike at the hinges with the hatch
et," came Mrs. Testers altered voice,
and wiry, usually so low and hesitat hard
ing. "Cutthem through; it can be done
it shall"
They struck with o will; the hatchet
edge was pressed to the weakest part,
and heavy blows from a mallet upon
that The hatchet edge was turned,
and dint made some of the work in
jured and broker-but no more.
"Cut through the panel" suggested
Kate. "Surely wood can be broken"
| "It's all lined with iron, num-" said
Davis; ait is as good as safe. But we
might try"
Three telling blows. The room sud-
denly darker, chill sough of wind from
the window, and the door swung to with
bang. Every one looked round. A
growl of distant thunder, and faint
flash of lightning accounted for it next
moment. More blows, and long,
ominous roll, and the lightning playing
across the great armoire; then an avail
anche of rain and hail-all strange and
incongruous on this fine evening. The
room was nearly dark. One of the men
spoke. els there step-ladder in the
housep" 1t was brought. "Tll try the
top, with your leave, ma'am. Ah, if
had light now." He was given taper
from the library table. "Bill"-to his
companion" look here hold the
light, and keep hand on the side" He
lifted the hatchet, and gave swinging
blow w-another-an awful clap of thun-
der, and the next flash showed every
white face to the other. Quick steps in
the hall, and the door flung wide; a
wild, wet figure threw the key amongst
us, and fell i'll heap upsn the floor.
With wrench the man on the ladder
tore off the upper moulding, and half
the roof of the armoire. Mrs. Lester
took ur the key, fumbled with the lock,
let it fall with shrek. Baker caught
it from her, put it in, and turned it.
"Open it," she whispered to one of the
men "I 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
senseless on the floor.
"Take off more here" one of the men
shouted; 1T will give air till the doors
got open."
Good thought. They worked savage
ly.
Mrs. Lester was on her knees by her
husband.
80, get brandy Get him to speak
He could tell us how" They did what
they could. William! o, speak to
me! How can l open 1.-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 for
gotten. They tore and hammered at
the inner door, whose smooth polished
surface presented no crevice or jeint
where to strike first-where insert q
chisel or direct blow. AS they work
ed, consciousness 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 eagerness at the des-
truction of his precious armoire. He
lifted his head and looked mutely at his
wife. She put her head down to his
lips. "What is it? What shall 1 tell
them to do 7" He beat his hand upon
the floor.
Kate sprung forward. al know! I
know! Strike On the floor at the foot
of the inner door. o, remember, it
was there"
Davis felt with his hand all along the
polished surface of the lowest shelf
Here, press herel give me hammer"
He felt u slight rise, and struck grad
ually all about the spot Kate showed
him. A deatening clap of thunder, and
flash, binding us for the moment, and
we all crowded close, and then came
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. al darn't
look" he said. "Do you," to the car
penter's man. "Open it gently"
Baker stretched forward, turned round,
tried to say something, and burst out
crying.
al can't see," 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 heavy fall
"Saleen," said voice close to me, "do
you know it's quarter past seven, and
you are due at the Testers at half past,
and not even dressed Here's your book
fallen down."
l had been asleep over an hour.
Ii felt like conspirator at the Les
ter's pleasant dinner, it is not surpris-
ing; but l did not mention my dream.
An Enterprising Photographer.