Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-04-06
NUMBER II.

know all, will you accompany me
ITO The end OF the world. madam, Oh
such an errand"
Then prepare yourself there 10
cab waiting at the door"
IL was little surprised. for had not
heard the sound OF the wheels Hastily
drawing on coat. md providing my
self with the requisite implements. wa-
soon at the door, There, sure enough.
was The cab, with the driver in his seat.
ready tor the mysterious journey. As
soon as ! was seated she produced
heavy handkerchief which, by the lalnt
light of the street lamp. she carefully
bound around my eyes. The lady seated
herself beside me. and the cab stopped
in what part OF the city ! am eatirely
ignorant, as it was evidently driven IN
anything but direct course from The
point OF starting.
Examining the bandage to see that my
vision was completely obScured, the
lady handed me the tools with which !
was provided. then taking me by the
arm, led me through lhe gate into Tie
house, which knew was brick. and al
ter taking me along 4 passage way when
could not have been less than nay feet III
length. aud down nigh, OF stairs InIo
what WAS evidently An underground
basement, stopped beside vault aud
removed the 0andage from my eye.
Here il a vauIt-open it, said she
springing the door ol i dark lantern and
throwing beam OF light upon The lock
seized bunch OF skeleton keys, land
after a few trials which the lady seemed
to watch with paiafuI anxiety, spranS
the bolt. The door swung upon 1t.
hinges. and my companion telling me
not to close il, as it was selt.locklng'
sprang into The yault. did not follow
but heard the mumur oil loS voices
within, and the next moment the lady
re appeared, aud leaning upon her arm
a man with lace SO pale and haggard
that started at the sight. How he
must have suffered during the three days
of his confinement in the vault.
Remain here, said she, handing me
the lantern, II will be back in moment.
The two slowly ascended the stairs
and heard them enter room immedi-
ately above where | was standing. 10
less than a minute the lady returned.
"Shall close it. madam said
placing my hand upon lhe door OF tie
vault.
mo, no" she exclaimed, hastily sei2-
ing my arm; lit awaits another Oceu'
pant
Madam you certainly do not intend
to-"
"Are you ready ?" she interrupted,
impatiently. holding tho handkerchief
before my eyes. The thought struck my
mind that she intended to push me into
the vault and bury me and my secret
together. She seemed TO read the su'-
picion, and continued Do not be alarm.
ed You are not the man.
could not mistake the truth OF The
fearful meaning oil the remark, aud
shudderei as | bent my head for The
handkerchief. Ny eyes were as careful
ly eandaged as before and walked 10
the cab. and was thence driven home by
q more circuitous route Il possible, than
the one by which we came. Arriving in
front OF the house, the handkerchief was
removed. and stepped from the vehicle.
A purse Of FIVE hundred dollars was
placed In my hand. and in a. moment the
cab and It's mysterious occupant had
turned the corner and were out oil sight.
Ientered the shop. and the purse OF
gold was the only evidence could sum
mon in NV bewiIderment that what had
inst witnessed was no! all dream.
4 month alter that Isaw the lady aud
the gentleman taken from the vsu!t Iei'-
urely walking along Montgomery ''fe'''
| do not know. but believe the sleep
ing husband awoke within the vault 81"
his bones are there to-day! The vile u
still resident of San Francisco.