Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-02-14


ct had cast no look outside.
From out the other building on tho
opposite side of the court he had crcpt,
keeping behind that which would afford
him shelter, until he had gained the
position in which we see him.
With every movement of Inez, and with
every flash of the jewels, the eager, visit
full look dccpened upon the faoo of the
villain and blended with that which be-
spoke the depravity of his soul, while his
hand played nervously with long MUIR
derous looking knife which he carried
but half concealed in his garments.
Evidently he would have slain her
without the least hesitation, to have pos
sessed himself of the wealth she was all
unconsciously displaying to his eager
eye.
That to rob the house or her, was his
intention there could be no doubt. With
his body half hidden by the shrubbcry
which grew beneath the window. he re-
manned motionless, but with his eyes
fixed upon the jewels.
And so the sun went down. and the
glodcn light died out, and the shadows of
night began to usurp its place.
Still inez sat by the window as she
had done for the hour past. But her
eyes were no longer fixed upon her jew
els, but out through the window to catch
tqe first glimpse of her lover, who would
come with the first rays of the white
moon-beams falling upon the grounds
without.
The villain beneath the window did
not try to look into the window now
He dared not to do it for fear he should
be detected. Once the girl had started
as he had done so, and he was afraid he
had been seen, but as she remained quiet
he thought he was mistaken.
Darkness now gathered fast about the
house. The light Of day had faded out,
but away in the east Che white light was
gathered fast, telling that the moon
would soon be above the horizon.
The two watchers noticed this, but
with what different thoughts and emo
tons. Incz with joy, for it would bring
her lover to her side; and the villain
saw in it a signal for him to be up and
at work. while the gloom lasted, Would
he possess himself of the Jewels he must
do it before the surroundings should be
flooded with moonlight.
To do it, he must sacrifice her, for he
had waited long and patiently for her TO
leave the room, but she had not.
But now be must force an entrance
into the room, or it would be too late
1t must be done by the window, and
still she sat there gazing out into the
darkness, and the least motion on his
part could not fail to attract her attention
Could he suddenly spring up and strike
her with his knife, SO surely that she
could make no sound?
He asked himself the question, and
thought he was not sure, he saw no other
way to accomplish his object.
Drawing his knife, he rose slowly up,
and at that moment he was stratIed by Il
movement on her part, and he sank down
again.
She appeared to have raised from her
seat and was moving to another portion
of the apartment.
In a moment his eyes were on a level |
with the window-siI, and he saw her &
standing at the opposite side of the room, {
IN the act Of Lighting lamp. /
Now was his time if ever; and in a
moment he had placed his hand on the
yindow-sill to prepare himself for the
prng.
With a bound he went through, and
ighted so softly upon his feet that the
ction made hardly sound.
lnez, intent upon the occupation Of 9
he moment, did not look round, and
he robbcr had the field to himself
The casket lay where she had closed C
t, in moment more he had it in his
7
Had the villain been content with this I
lie might have made his escape, perhaps u
Unseen. But he was not.
At this moment the lamp Jared up,
md he saw the glitter of the jewels with z
Which 1nez bad bedecked herself. At c
hat moment he formed determination c
o possess himself Of these, even if he
lad to take her life
Noiselcssly he took step towards her c
Win MS mana upon the handle OF his !
inife, and his eyes fixed grcedily upon :
he jewels.
At that moment she suddenly turned,
md he stood revealed to her. For a
moment the blood forsook her check, Civ
ng place to the dead Wilderness, for she
at once the danger in
which she stood
Bat she was no coward and thinking
hat perhaps her life might depend upon {
her presence Of mind at that moment,
she summoned all her strength, and in
4 firm voice exclaimed: ,
''WhO are you villain, who dares thus s
enter the presence of Don Manuers |
laughter p
"Hark Not so loud, if you please,
my lady. Another word as loud as that,
and / will bury this knife in your heart"
Thou darest not, villain But for what
dost thou come? Make known thy GRAND
quickly, for one will soon be here who
will deal with thee as thou dost deserve
The villain took a step forward. and
was so close to her that she felt his hot
breath upon her check. Hastily she
fell back, feeling her strength going at
once, which she had but now summoned I
to her aid.
II have come for these Jewels" he
said in a significant tone; and at the
same ro0toonf bo lsid he L..J ,,rso,, TN