The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-10-21

find that 1 was looking at the drawer
that held the money, and that Wal
feeling in my pocket to see that tn,
tkey was safe. The shade that placed
ever the lamp confined its rays within
q small circle, beyond which the bed
the furniture. the carpet, and the wall
paper were obscure. In the corner, te
the right of the door, was s.n antique
high-backed chair, favorite piece Of
furniture. A. turned my own chat,
from the bureau, my eyes rested on
this object; and saw by the same
glance that human figure was sitting
in it'll
l could not at first make out wheth-
or it was man or woman only be-
came conscious, as sat in bewilder-
ing, dumb terror, that 1 was con-
fronted by stranger there in that
ssmi.darkness-by some one who had
hidden in the room for ssme object.
There was, locked up in q room
alone with ruffian, waiting, trem-
bling, and expecting to hear him
speak, or to become the object Of some
violence. For, although as I have
said, I could not distinguish whether
it was . man or woman, I did not
doubt that it was the former, and one
Of the most desperate Of his kind
And presently, as my eyes fell upon
the floor, I saw great pair of boots
thrust out upon the carpet within the
radius Of the light.
I do not know how long we SGT
there in the semi-darkness of the
room, facing each other, but notion
less and silent: it might have been
three minutes or thirty. The thought
of alarming Emily suddenly occurred
to ne, and reached out for the bell
cord. It should have been within easy
reach Of the spot where sat, bat my
hand failed to find it.
A low chuckle came from the occu-
pant Of the old chair. ri (
THAT was q clever thought of you,
missus," came forth in deep, rough
voice, and In tone of easy insolence,
s'Clever thought, marin, but bless
your simple soul, do you think l was
going to leave that ERE cord there
for you to make a noise with3 Not
by no means. It's we'll to be careful
when you're in this kind Of business,
marin land so when you left me alone
here before dark then being under
tho bed, you see-I crawled out and
took q survey of the place."
"What do you want2' asked.
He chuckled again, and replied !;
"Now that's good you're a business
marm you come right to the
point without any nonsense. I'm 60
ing to tell you what l want. Be quiet
he said. IL don't mean to
hurt you if can help it. Keep still
and 1 won't. Let's have a look at
each other"
He removed the shade aud looked at
ne for full half minute, as sat in
he glare of the lamp. He was largo
orawny fellow, full six feet high. and
dressed in an old suit of fustian clothes.
His face was entirely covered by q
rape mask /; not feature of it could
see, frem his neck to the crown of
lis head. He leaned one arm upon
he bureau and regarded me attentive
y.
"You don't know me-" he remarked,
n an ordinary tone. "No, of course
lot, it is best for you that you should
lot. l thought at first there was
emething familiar in your face; but
!. fancy / was mistaken. Well. to bus
ness, marh." And he assumed q
harp tone, and looked carefully at the
bureau. ''1've got q pistol here, missus
land he slapped his pecket-"but
ou'rs too sensible woman, | take it,
o make me use 1t on you. l want
hat money. There's FIVE hundred
ounds of it in this drawer; you have
be key-give it to mel"
/ handed it to him without . word.
"Ill leave you now in a minute, :
,issus." rapidly inserting the key, ,
arning it. and opening the drawer,
with many thanks for your good be- :
avior. IL this it?'
He took out the package, and held
up. r,r- -.s
"That is the money"
''She might deceive me, after ALL"
card him mutter and thrusting his
,refinger into the end of the envelope
Q ripped it open, aud pulled the end '
the Dotes cut into sight. Yes, here 8
is. Now i
He had thrust the package into his I
ocket, and was about to close tho
rawer, and, taking out picture that t
was well acquainted with, he bent 3
ver and scrutinized it, holding it q
oser to the lamp. How l did wish 4
lat could see the expression Of his ]
ce at that moment! He held in his c
and an ivory miniature of my hus- b
and's face, q faithful picture made by v
4 artist years before, at my request. C
''Whose face is this 7" the robber de- O
anded, in a voice that trembled with Il
"My husbands" replied. il
"Your hus5aDd's? Yes, yes-but b
s name2" 81
"Elijah Croly." "
"Captain Croly ?'' he demanded, in o
70 same tone. al
eyes" 81
"The same who commanded the bark tt
Ilvert, that used to run out Of Liver a
'ol?" tc