The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-08-24

one Openeu u SuuttOT, anu pesTcu out
into the night 1t was dark as Erebus,
and the wind and rain beat against the
pane in a perfect torrent The Judge
would not think Of returning on such q
night.
"Well Tommy" she said to the cat III
guess you and and kitty will 90 to bed.
We must be up betimes in the morning,
you know, since there'l be none but us
to do the chores
AS she spoke Margeret stopped to
stroke old Tommy, but to her infinite
surprise, she saw that animals tail was
erect, his eyes had changed to a glossy
green Of rage and terror, and with slow,
panther.like tread he was making his way
toward the doorway which opened upon
the cellar stairs.
And while she gazed Margaret saw
with terror that the latch was slowly lift.
ing, and the next moment the door swung
open with an ominous creak, and a man
stepped into the room. lie was a short,
thick'set fellow, with sandy hair and
whiskcrs, and pale, fcrocous.looking
blue eyes, set far back in his head
$50 ho, my dear he said, "you are
sole proprietor, it appears"
For an instant Margarets heart stood
stlll but she was naturally brave, and
she was proud as well, and would not al.
low the man to see that she feared him.
81 have that honor" she said cooly.
Who are you and what do you want ?"
"l trust you will excuse me if neglect
to introduce myself" said the man with
mock courtesy, "as for my business l am
quite happy to inform you about that. |
want the eight thousand dollars that the
judge brought from Ridgely bank last
night, and depend on you to point it
out to me.
The indignant blood rushed into Mar.
garet's face, and she answered sharply ::
81 will die hoforn 7 will do you aol :"
"You shall have your choice
lie produced pistol which he cooked
deliberately and pointed at her head.
"Show me the place where the tin is
hidden or | will blow your brains out
Like Lightning varied train of thought
rushed through the head of the girl and
in that one instant Of time she thought Of
a score CT plans to evade the rascal, and
simultaneously discarded them as i'm.
practicable.
There sho was alone, helpless, weak
girl, almost mile from any other habit.
alton, and in a storm it was by no means
likely that any one would be passing by
of whom she could claim assistance.
For second she thought of risking
everything to escape by the outer door,
and, trusting to the darkness and her
knowing the way, to attempt to reach
Mr.. Turner's and seek protection
But the man seemed to divine her
thought for he stepped between her and
the door,
"No, my beauty, you don't play that
gemc on HE :" he said with q sardonic
smile. And now I'll give you just three
minutes to decide what you'll do Ifyou
will show me the money, | swear not to
do you any harm if you refuse, swear
to kill you and trust to luck for finding
it without your help.
lie took out his watch and stood re.
garding it and Margare. alternately. As
she stood there faint and giddy with fear
new idea penetrated Margaret's brain,
and she was just in the state of despera.
ton which stops at no sacrifice, however
great. Come life or death she must save
the money for which her friends had toll
ed so long and earnestly, and the loss Of
which would involve them in ruin. As
she thought, she saw way to do it,
though it would compass her destruction.
"You may put up your pistol" she
said calmly 81 will show you where the
That's sensible, my dear" said the
man. "It amt often that sense and u
pretty face go together. But you're an
exception, Come, be lively now"
She took a candle from the table, Sc.
lected one from a bunch of keys from a
basket hanging on the wall, and babe him
follow her.
She led him up the stairs to the door
OF the oak closet applied the ey,and open.
ing the door, pointed to the black box in
tho further end Of the closet.
"You will find what you seek in there"
Sho stepped back for him to enter. but
he seized her by the wrist and dragged
her along with him.
81 know your game" said he "you
would get mo into that cursed hole and
'hen lock the door upon me. Take out
the key and fling it down stairs, and come
in with me. | shan't eat you
She obeyed him literally, as they stood
together in the sitting place, which was
scarcely large enough to contain them.
Margaret, with the hand which he had
left free, seized on the door and pulled it
10.
1t shut with a sharp click-sbut and
locked at the same time
A fierce oath burst forth from the bur.
glar.
"What do you mean" he cried. Hell
and furies, shall suffocate Open the
door, or III shoot you "
"Do as you please" said Margaret de.
family "the door has q spring lock, and
can only be opened from the ou lie.
; And unless some one comes to our release
we shall remain here until We die, which
will be only a few hours at the most"
You she devil Why have you done
this ?" he demanded, hoarse with ra.c.
"Don't you know that you will die too ?''
Certainly. but prefer death to the
ruin of my best friends. If We die here,
AS We shall without doubt, the money
will be saved
The oaths and threats and curses OF
the man were fearful, but Margaret felt
no fear Something above aud beyond
herself sustained her, and she was happy
in the consciousness that her life would
purchase the old home for her kind bene-
factors,
The close tori id air weighed upon her
like lead already had the man who was