Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-08-07

The November night, chill and slarless, had
closed quite dark over the glen Of the au.
umual copses, as they began to ascend the
long wooded hill that lay between Terris-
wode and Dainger6ed Both ladies', wearied
with their long journey, were silent. Mrs
Chester had fallen into a dose, when she was
reused by the vehicle stopping
Dear me-" said she, "what is the
maiter7"
I'm sorry, ma'am," said the Jehu, his
face appearing, as it were, ip a black foam at
the carriage window, but we have broken
down"
Broken down ~
"Yes'm, it's the axle.tree broken in halves.
Cannot you mend it7'
Not unless had the tools, and there is
not shop this side Of Terriswode."
But what are we to do We can't stay
here all night We must walk the rest Of
the way to Daingerheld."
It's six miles, and mortal bad road,
TOO"
where shall we stay2"
you might stay at Toby Wooden's Just
beyond you see the light twinklin'2"
Is it public house ~
w tis uOs Hih duli uol tAaCly uut NutH
does takes folks in when they can get en-.
Aud | could ride the horses back to ferris
wode, aud get me another trap, and then you
would be at Daingeiheld at good time in the
morning"
"Oh. dear" said Mrs Chester " wish
| had followed your advice, CLARA. shall
not reach Daingeifeld tonight, after all
Toby Wooden's proved to be ruinous old
farmhouse built on hillside in the woods
and distinguished mainly by its high peaked
roof and diIapidated porch.
Well, | s'pose | can take ye in" was
Mrs. Wooden's puzzled rejoiuder to their pc
tition for nights shelter. There's the up
stairs seed chamber-Simeon eau take the
seed corn out Of that. We've got two men
here already, and"
Two men, said Clara. What sort oil
men ?"
One Of ems Dan Gilbert, the pedder
and t'otber's likely fellow enough, guess
| don't know what he is, but he squiut
drefful bad in one eye"
Mrs. Chester could feel Clara's grass
tighten on her arm with a sort of nervous
energy.
:" knew i'll knew it," she whispered
"0h. Mrs. Chester, do not let US come here =
do not let us tempt our fate. We had better
sit 10 the carriage all night
Ia the carriage, indeed" What non
sense" cried Mrs. Chester. "Show us VI
stairs at once. Mrs. Wooden. | am nearl
jolted to death in that horrid concern"
The apartment, from which tall. lean.
jointed youth was at that moment removing
general chaos of a." seed ears " of corn, was
by no means inviting A dropsica feather
bed, piled up on high bedsiead, and three
legged wash-stand, together with one or two
eane-bottomed chairs, completed the furniture
OF the room-a mournful contrast to Mrs
Chester's suite Of rooms at home.
But she was very tired, and, wthal, sh,
was determined to be pleased, if only out o.
contradiction to Clara Champfort
Clara, full Of vague fears, kept the ligh
burning as long as the slender dip " of tal
low would last and then, by the storm
moonlight, watched the lockess door 10 al
agony Of apprehension.
Nor was her apprehension entirely ground
less for just as the gray dawn of the coming
day was blending with the darkness that i.
always most dense at that hour, the latch was
softly lifted, and figure glided u-the
figure Of a man.
Clara lay watching, with her breast throb.
bling wildly. At the same instant Mrs. Ches.
ter, startled by the creak of loose board il
the floor Of the room, wakencd
Her first impulse was to utter piercing
scream, but Clara's hand was over her mouth
in al insiant--Clara's firm grasp was holding
her down.
The figure glided directly toward the
leather reticule which Mrs Chester had taken
the precaution to conceal beneath the hang
ings of window, opened it noselessly, by
means Of bunch of skeleton keys which he
produced from his pocket, aud distracted
something, after moments search, with
which he withdrew, as silently as a ghost
Not until his last footstep had died away
on the stairs did Clara take away her guar.
dian hand from Mrs Chester's mouth
"Clara, why did you stop me2 Why did
you not let me give the alarm ~ cried Mrs
Chester, as she sprung out Of the bed in dis
may and CONSERVATION
"Did you wish to be murdered in youl
bed p
Murdered What mean you ?" Mrs
Chesier's blood ran cold.
He carried long knife saw il shin,
in the starlight once Hush"
Clara was gazing intenty from the window
Come here, Mrs. Chester"
Mrs Chester crept tremblingly to he
companions side
Look"
And Clara pointed out dark figure steal
ing across the meadow, in the iudistine
light, toward the woods that lay beyond
" He is gone" she said, with strange calm
ness, aud we are safe. thank heaven"
" But my diamonds!"
Mrs. Chester had hurried toward the oper
travelling bag, which lay on the floor beneath
the dressing table, and her painful surmise
proved correet-the case was gone
She uttered low exclamation of despair.
Clara, how can you stand there S,
calm ?"
Because | have reason to be calm Com
pose yourself, Mrs. Chester, the diamonds ar,
safe under my pillow. | foresaw this
read II all in the dim foreshadowings of m,
dream, and when you were asleep unpackec
the jewels from their case aud secured them
Let the thief 30 on his way. The greer
morocco case, though in itself a precious
treasure to the antiquarian, will hardly rec
ompense him for his waste of time"
Mrs. Chester clusped Clara to her heart
with burst Of tears, which proved great
relief to her overcharged feelings.
When daylight once more REDEEMED over
the hills, Mrs. Chester and Miss Champion
renewed their journey, and had the gratfca.
tion Of presenting the precious parure of dia.
monds to Miss Geraldine Raymond, two hours
before the ceremony which transferred the
blooming maiden into demure little wife.
But if il had not been for Clara, my
dear you never would have had them safe and
sound said Mrs. Hyde Chester. "Mnd
that don't believe in dreams, but certainl,
that was the most unaccountable coincidence
in the wcrld."
How is it that women manage to look Sc
cool in warm weather. man will 20 along
with open vest, handkerchief 10 hand, hugginv