The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-02-19

came vexed at myself to find that was
looking at the drawer that held the
money, and that I was feeling in nav
pocket to see that the key was safe. I
felt no alarm; had almost cured NV
self of my uneasiness but it seemed
as If that money, and the danger of its
custody, would obtrude upon me. In
the impatience of the moment turned
my chair half-round, and looked toward
the opposite wall. The shade that L
placed over the lamp confined it's rays
within a small circle, beyond which t6e
bed, the furniture, the carpet. and the
wall paper were obscure. In the corner.
to the right of the door. was an antique.
high-backed chair, a favorite piece of
furniture. As I turned my own chair
from the bureau, my eyes rested on this
object; and saw by the same glance
that human figure was sitting in iti
I could not at first make out whether
1t was man or woman I only be-
camelco conscious, as sat in bewilderipg.
dumb terror, that was confronted by
a stranger there in that semi darkness.
by some one who had hidden in the
room for some object !; and what that
object was well knew. No person
who has never been placed in such a
terrifying situation as that can describe
ment takes possession of the heart
and can only say for myself that I
sat motionless for time-I know not
how long-thinking of my helpless sit
uation. There I was, locked up in a
room alone with a rufian, waiting,
trembling, and expecting to hear him
speak, or TO become the object of some
violence. For although, as have said,
could not distinguish whether it was
man or woman, did not doubt that it
was the former, and one of the most
deperate of his kind. And presently,
as my eyes fell to the floor, saw a
great pair of boots thrust out upon the
carpet within the radius of the light.
I do not know how long we sat there
| in the semi darkness of the room, facing
eac h other, but motionless and silent !;
| it might have been three minutes or
thirty. The thought of alarming Emily
suddenly occurred to me. and reached
out for the bell cord. It should have
been within easy reach of the spot
where I sat j; but my hand failed to
| find 1t.
| A low chuckle came from the occu-
pant of the old chair.
| ssThat was clever thought of you,
missus,'' came forth in a deep, rough
voice, and in a tone of easy insolence.
Clever thought, marm but bless
your simple soul, do you think I was
a-going to leave that ERE cord there for
| you to make a noise with? Not by
| any means. It's well to be careful
when you're in this kind of business,
marin and SO when you left me alone
here before dark-I then being under
| the bed, you see-I crawled out and
took survey of the place.
My strength was returning became
/ r II L.
ed no violence to myself.
"What do you want ?" I asked.
| He chuckled again, and replied,
.s Now that's good you're a business
woman, marin you come right to the
point, without any nonsense. I'm go
ing to tell you what want. "
He rose from the chair as he spoke,
and crossed the room to the bureau,
passing SO close to me that his boots
| brushed the skirt of my dress. I shud-
| dered, and drew my chair back-I could
not help betraying my fear.
''Be quiet, marm," he said. ST
don't mean to hurt you, if I can help
it. Keep still, and won't. Let's have
look at each other.
He removed the shade, and looked at
me for full half minute, as I sat in
the glare of the lamp. He was large,
brawny fellow, full six feet high, and
dressed in an old suit of fustian clothes.
His face was entirely concealed by
| Grape mask not a feature of it could I
see, from his neck to the crown of his
head. He leaned one arm upon the
bureau, and regarded me attent1vely.
f You don't know me, he remarked,
in an ordinary tone. "No, of course
not; it's best for You that you shouldn't.
I thought at first there was something
e fan 11-rA II
was mistaken. Well, to business,
marm." And he assumed sharp tone,
and looked carefully at the bureau.
I've got pistol here, missus and
he slapped his pocket IS but you're
too sensible woman. I take it, to make
me use it on you. i want that money.
There's five hundred pound of it in
this drawer; you have the key-give it
TO me /"
handed it to him without word.
sfI'n leave you now in minute, mis-
sus," he said, rapidly inserting the key,
turning it, and opening the drawer,
"with many thanks for your good be-
havior. Is this 1t ?'
He took out the package, and held it
up.
That is the money" said.
"She might deceive me, after all, :"
heard him mutter and thrustiDg his
forefnger into the end of the envelope,
he ripped it open, and pulled the end
of the notes out into sight! Eyes,
here it is Now"
He had thrust the package in his
pocket, and was about to close the
drawer, when his eye was caught by
something within it. He started, thrust
his hand into the drawer, ard, taking
out an object thatI was well acquainted
with, he bent over and scrutized it.
holding it closer to the lamp. How I
did wish that could see the expression
of his face at that moment He held il,
his hand an ivory miniature of my hus-
bands face, faithful picture, made by
an artist years before, at my request.
Whose face is this ?' the robber
demanded, in voice that trembled with
eagerness.
My husbands" replied.
sYour husbands? Yes, yes-but hi
name2"
Elijah Croly."
Captain CroEys" he demanded, in
the same tone.
Yes.
The sans who commanded the
harura Ga1vaFk that Tfaed tn 1.y1n ferk af