The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-08-23
CATCHING LARKS.
Concluded.


hanging brushwood, few yards further
up. Robin pushed it out, and punted HIM
self across SO quickly and silently, that
Madge found him standing in it close to
her before she had made up her mind what
to say or do.
'It is taking liberty, l know" said
Robin, looking up at her with his frank,
pleasant face, and shaking back his hair
"But, without wishing to brighten you, l
must tell you at once that your aunt's
property is in danger"
81 know! l thought so; that window, !"
exclaimed Madge, clasping her hands in
anxiety. "What is to be done? Can you
help me?'
evil you tell me-" said Robin gravely,
"why you thought SO, and what you mean
by that window
"The window in the room next mine.
where the plate chest is. went in last
night and found the fastening gone, and
any one could get in SO easily from the
tree close to it, went directly to tell my
cousin, but she was angry, and laughed at
me for being afraid
"Wise 20 muttered Robin. "Oh,
thought the old lady was your aunt. And
did you say anything to the servants ?"
81 spoke to the butler this morning, but
he told me not to be alarmed; he would see
to it. l ought not to say so, perhaps, but
l do not quite like his manner, and have
felt moro afraid ever since"
Madge hardly realized yet that her conf
dence in Robin had suddenly removed the
load of depression and anxiety which had
been weighing upon her all day.
"He said he would see to it, did he p
And that was all %
eyes; that was all"
"Well, don't be alarmed, because the
danger is past, and you are perfectly safe
now. But, listen to what I heard this
afternoon from lad called Riddell, who
has his wits about him."
Madge listened attentively to Robins
story. elbow wicked! how DREADFUL
she exclaimed. "Poor cousin Sarah
That old man has been with her for years,
and she has always been kind to him, I'm
sure. Can he have meant to give her
poison ?'
" Not poison, hope; not so bad as that.
Something to make her sleep. Now, l
want to settle our plans for tonight. My
idea is that your cousin should not know
,,,+b;,o of tho huS;pacc fill If is finished
she might hinder us from catching that old
rascal Joseph, who seems to me the worst
of the lot. The policemen are to meet me
at the gate at nine o'clock. Jem tells me
late in this weather. Can you manage to
slip out of the drawing-room soon after
nine, take me and one of the policemen
upstairs, and hide us either in that room,
or near it, while the other two go and hide
in the garden near the tree? Then we
shall let the rascals get right up into the
room, so that they will be caught in reg
ular trap. l hope this wont be wanted,
but have it, in case "-he took revolver
out of his pocket. "You had better lock
yourself into your room when the time
comes, so as to be out of the row. You
have courage enough for all this, l am
sure"
Robin spoke with animation; he was
quite ready to enjoy the adventure
Madge did not answer instantly, for she
was thinking; but in minute she looked
Of him opd epnka
81 hope you wont think me coward; ;
it is net because Pm afraid that l don't
like your plan. But l see several reasons
against it. How is my cousin to be pre-
vented from taking that dreadful sleeping
draught, which may even be poison, if
she knews nothing Of the danger? She
always has warm wine-and water before
she goes to bed"
"Can't you manage to break the glass
and spill it, and then make her some more
yourself?'
81 don't think l cam said Madge smil
ing. "And 1 believe she will be very
angry if all this goes on in her house with
out her knowing it. She may be odd
tempered, but l am sure she is no coward,
and think she would do anything that
was right, and not even hinder you from
catching old Joseph. l don't think it
would be right of me to admit any one
into the house without her knowledge. In
fact can't consent to do it,"
"You dent trust me, believe" said
Robin, after pause of astonishment.-
"What are we to do, them"
Yes, 1 do trust you," answered
Madge. 81 wish you would come with
me now to Miss Thorney, and lay the
whole thing clearly before her. 1t is s
o'clock. must 60 in to make tea for her.
Come with me, and stay outside the win
dow till Joseph is. gone; then III call you
in"
81 WILL" said Robin, springing out of
the boat.
They left the stream and walked across
the lawn together, taking care to keep in
the shade of the trees.
81 beg your pardon, said Madge SOFTLY
"but l think l ought to know your
name"
"Of course you ought. I'm Robert
HYDE. l live in that old house near the
church. 1t used to belong to my uncle. :"
"Thank you," said Madge; and going
quickly on, she turned in at the drawing
room window, while Robin sat down under
a piece of blank wall, and thought what a
melancholy place it was, and how pretty
and charming she looked in that soft mus
lin dress-an old crumpled thing with
many darns; but he only saw the general
effect.
Old Joscph's feelings would not have
been enviable had he known what made
the young lady's hand tremble as she took
the tea out Of the silver canister, which
was TO disappear with the other valuables
before tomorrow morning; or how much
difficulty she had in saying Thank you "
to him in her natural voice, when there
was water enough in the teapot. He went
away, however, unsuspecting; and Miss
| Thorney woke up and stretched herself,