Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-05-08

worked with the rest. her feelings so numoed
by the Sudden blow that she SCARCELY heard
Tizzie's lamentations over sudden dcod OF
D order" work, that. t.might keep them IN Tue
room till after midnight.
"We1l have all DAY tomorrow II We can
finish these dresses tonight" said one OF The
girls of small squad toed of for the extra
work. "Miss. Smith says SO. . But these
mus, be ready to deliver in the morni-c.
Talk talk talk whirl whir' whir.
Bcssie folded and basted, working with
rapid mechanical precision, hearing the noise
Of the voices and machines, feeling the heavy
dull beating of Ler own heart, and the throo-
binc pain in her weary head, but speaking no
word Of repiuiDg. excusins her pallid lace oy
the plea Of headache.
II was after eleven o'clock ,wbcn.the 'ast
stitch was put in the hurried work, and the
girls ran down the long, dark fights OF STAIRS
10 plod home through drilling snow storm
As Bessie passed down The staircase, she saw
in the counting house her reereant lover, busy
over some account books. But for the heavy
news she had heard that morning, she would
have felt sure that this sudden spasm Of To-
dus,ry was to furnish an excuse for escort'ns
her home at the unusually late hour, bu, il so,
Bessie felt il was an added Insult to bis dis
honorable conduct, and hurried on, hopns.he
had not heard her step.
She had gone dozen or more blocks from
the store when, passing church, she
slipped upon treacheiaus piece OF ice
and twisted her ankle. The sudden pain
made her faint for moment, aud she sat
down upon the stonework supporting the rail-
ing to recover hersclfi ! Beside her, not
stones throw away, dark, narrow alley way
ran along the high brick wall of the church
ward. and Bessie's heart sank with chill of
terror as she heard mans voice in the alley
say:
Didn't you hear step, Tom'2'
"a woman She's turned of somewhere.
He ain't come yet" was tie answer.
"IIe's late tonight" said the FIRST voice in
grulf undcrtone. "You are sure he's taking
the diamonds home 2"
"Sure as death. wa. at --s when he
gave the order. Send them to my store al
nine o'clock, says he, 'Oud ! will take ilieH
home with me- And he gave the address
Maxwell & Son."
But, are you sure he will pass here 2"
"Of course lie will. He lives in the mex
block. He'll come"
"Suppose he shows fght.7"
you hold him. and will very soon stoI
bis f2ht"
Every word, clear and distinct, fell upol
Dessie's ears in The silence Of the night,
; They would rob him, and murder him, 'hcs
dreadful men, if nobody warned him. Thel
would spring ont upon him as be passed, an'
strike him down before be knew there wa
any danger. lie must not come alone, unpTo
pared. False lover, false friend, as she felt b
was, she could not 90 on her way and lear
him TO meet his certain 'eath.
When she stood up. the pain Of her aDkl
was almost iinendurable, but she clung to th
ratings, aud so limped one block. The other
were intermiDablc, often she crawled tbroug
the wet slush Of the streets, often on one foo
hoped painfully along, till the store was a
last reached aud the light Of the counting
house still burned. The side door for th
working girls was still unfastentd, and Bcssi
entered there, reaching the counting-hous'
soaking wet white and trembling, to confroa
Charles Maxwell and father.
Unheediog their ordinations Of disma
and surprise, she told her story with whit
lips, but steady voice.
Waiting for ne" said Charles Maxwell
, The scoundreis !"
"You bought diamonds at IS to-day ?
asked the father.
: "A parure for Miss Potter. sir Iwisb
present them, with your permission on mex
Thursday"
"Ah, Look at that pCSs gill"
For, overcome by pain, fatigue, and nc ia
, torture poor Bessie had staggered toward III
door and tainted upon the floor. 4 hasly cal
summoned tie jauitor, and in a few minute
the iauitor's wife bad appeared, rubbing lie
eyes. full Of niotherly resources for the com
fort Of the young girl
A hack was procured, and clothed in DR.,
garments furnished by the good hearted Irisl
woman, and escorted by the janitor, Bcssir
was driven home.
The he6t morning, walking proved to b
impossible, and Bessie was obliged 10 call up
on her landlady for assistance TO dress. won
dering at herself little for caring TO get up
But before noon, sitting in the parlor Of heI
boarding-house. her lame ankle upon crsh'
ion, she was surprised by two gentlemen call
ers, no other than Maxwell & Son in per.
son, and lady who introduced herself as
( Miss Potter.
I'VE have all come to thank you tn c
lady said, "and ! have come TO carry you home
with me. These gentlemen Owe you their
lives; owe sou my diamonds"
But wha. did you do?' asked Bessie.
We captured the robbers by masierly