The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-08-13

was burning IN one OF the upper chambers
and rightly conjecturing this to be the cap
tain's room, she looked towards it Ieverent-
ly anb softly whispered prayer for the fu-
ture welfare of the occupant Then with
a sad farewell upon her lips and cutting
pain at her heart, she turned away to re-
trace her steps through the freshly-fallen
snow.
AS she did SO, her eyes fell upon the figure
Of a man, seen indistinctly through the
darkness and the binding storm, emerging
from beneath the shadow of a doorway on
the opposite side of the street. The man
stood for moment on the sidewalk and
gazed cautiously around him, while Mary,
with new feeling in her bosom which
caused her to SHRINK from the possibility
of being accosted at that hour of the
night, withdrew herself behind pile of
bricks before an unfinished building and
waited for him to pass on.
AS the figure slowly advanced towards the
street-lamp, however, popularity in his
hating gait attracted her attention, and
as his face was turned towards her in the
glare of the light, she, with start of sur
prise, recognized the man as an old acquaint-
ance. AS she had limited to the captain,
her life previous to his discovery of her,
had not been especially creditable in it's as
sociations. Chief among those with whom
she had been thrown in contact during
those dark and dreadful days, was a noted
thief and burglar, whose daring and cum
ming were only equalled by his ferocity and
brutality Pinky Mcclure, hideous in fea-
ture and revolving in every aspect of his
nature, had still soft spot in his heart
which Mary's beauty had touched, and he
had made himself her compulsory compan-
ion too often for her not to have become
thoroughly acquainted with his appearance.
And if Mary Marsh was not greatly mis-
taken, Pinky Mcclure stood before her
now, intent, as she could have sworn, upon
some mischief of no ordinary magni-
tude.
The Marshall mansion stood upon cor
ner, and had connected with it large gar
den which extended some distance in the
rear Of the house, and which was hidden
from the view of persons passing through
the side street by high brick wall With
this garden, communication was had by
means of small green gate, used chiefly
by the butchers boys and milkmen, as af
fording the easiest access to the kitchen
Pinky Mcclure, after standing for some
ments upon the sidewalk, listening for ap-
preaching footsteps, crossed the street and
stepped cautiously to this gate. Then
pulling from his pocket long, brass key,
he gave one more furtive look up the street.
and, unlocking the barrier, passed into the
garden, leaving the gate ajar behind
him.
All of these things were perfectly visible
to Mary from her place of concealment be-
fore the house, and it needed no great dis
cernment upon her part to convince her that
Mr. Mcclure intended nothing less than
burglary. Shuddering as she thought of
the consequences of being discovered by
the monster, her desire to apprse the fam
lily of their danger outweighed every con-
sideration of prudence, and she resolved,
il the thing were possible, to thwart the
bold rascal by alarming the household. She
waited for several moments and heard
nothing. Then she stole cautiously to hte
half-opened gate and was edited by the
sight of Mr.. McGuire's brogans just disap-
pearing over the kitchen window-sill. AZ
ter listening again until she felt sure that
the coast was clear, she dropped her shawl
upon the ground and followed him.
AS if she were well acquainted with ey-
cry inch Of the premises, she sped swiftly
across the kitchen to the hall beyond and
assembled the broad stairs, stopping at each
landing to listen. She knew that the cap
tain was still awake, and forgetting the
equivocal position in which she would be
placed were she discovered, she wended her
wayas quickly as she could with any de-
gree of caution, towards the guests cham
Der, where from the street she had noticed
light still burning. so well did she seem
acquainted with the house, that she lost no
time in reaching the room. A little slant
ing ray Of light streaming from the key
hole told her that the inmate had not yet
retired, and with an unuttered prayer in
her heart that her summons might arouse
none but the captain, she raised her hand
to knock upon the door.
But, noisless as had been her movements
she had been heard, Before she could exc
cute her purpose, two brawny arms closed