Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-08-22
am nearly jolted to death in that
hOrrid coocePn.'

! am nearly joltsd to death in that
horrid concern
The apartment from which q tall,
lean,jointed youth was at that moment
removing a general chaos of seed
cars Of corn, was by no means invit-
Ing. A dropsical featherbed. piled
upon a high bcdstead, and three
legged wash-stai,d, together with one
or two cane-bottomed chairs, complet-
ed the furniture Of the room-a mourn
tul contrast 70 Mrs. Chester's elegant
suite Of apartments at home.
But she was very tired, and. withal,
determined TO be pleased, If only out
Of contradiction to Clara Campfort.
Clara, full Of vague fears, kept a
light burning as long as the slender
dip Of tallow would last, and then by
the stormy moonlight. watched the
iockless door, in agony of apprehen-
sion.
Nor were her apprehensions entire
ly grOundless /; for just as the gray
dawn Of the coming day was BILE nding
|
dense ut that hour, the latch was soft
ly lifted, and a figure glidcd in--the
figure Of q man.
Clara lay watching, with her breast
throbbing wildly. At the same in
slant, Mrs. Hyde Chester, startled by
the creaking of loose board in the
floor Of the room, awakened.
Her first impulse was TO utter a
piercing scream but Clara's hand was
over her mouth in an instant-Clara's
firm grasp was holding her down.
The figure glided directly towards
the leather retcule which, Mrs. Hyde
Chester had taken the precaution to
conceal beneath the hangings OF the
window, opened it noiselessly by
means OF q bunch of skeleton keys
which he produced from his pocket
and abstracted something after mo
nent's noiseless search, with which he
withdrew rs silent as A ghost.
Not until his last footstep had died
away on the stairs did Clara take her
guardian hand from Mrs. Chesters
mouth.
Clara, why did you stop me why
did you not let me give the alarm Z
cried Mrs. Chester, spiinging from the
bed in dismay and CONSERVATION
Did you wish TO be murdered in
your bed
| Murdered what do you mean I!
Mrs. HYDE Chester's blood ran cold.
He carried long knife. saw it
shine in the starlight once. Hush
Clara was gazing intentlv from the
window
Come here, Mrs. Chester
Mrs. Hyde Chester crept trembling
to her companions side,
Look !
And Clara pointed out on dark liz
ure stealing across the meadow, in the
indistinet light, toward the woods that
lay beyond.
: He is gone she said with strange
calmness, and We are safe-thank
heaven we are safe!'
But my diamonds
Mrs. Chester had hurried toward the
open tSaveling-bag which lay upon the
floor beneath the dressing table, and
her painful surmises proved correct
the morocco case was gone.
She uttered low exclamation OF
despair.
Clara, how can you stand there 50
CALM
Because l have reason to be calm.
Compose yourself, Mrs. Chester, the
diamonds are safe under my pillow.
foresaw this-I read it all in the dim
foreshsdowings of my dream-and
when you were asleep, unpacked the
jewels from their case and secured
them. Let the thief 60 on his way
The green morocco case, though in it
self q precious treasure to the anti
quarry, will hardly recompense him for
his waste Of time and manGuyeres.
Mrs. Hyde Chester clasped CLARA u
her heart, with a burst Of tears, which
proved an inexpressible relief to her
overcharged feelings.
When daylight once more Redeemed
over the hills, Mrs. Chester and Mis-,
Campfort renewed their journey and
had the qualification of presenting the
precious pdrure Of diamonds to Miss
Geraldine Raymond two hours before
the ceremony which transferred the
blooming maiden into demure little
wife
But if it hadn't been for Clara
dear, you never would have had them
safe and sound said Mrs. Hyde Chcs.
ter. Mind, don't believe in dreams,
but certainly that was the most unac-
countable coincidence in the world :,