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

drawing tn6 ven over uei iuSe' PS
10 the door. opened IT, and rs che pas
sed into the street she merely whispered
-"Remember."
We met again. and have been thus
particular in describing her visit to rem
der probable a subsequent recognition.
About two O'Clock in the morning. in
the latter part OF May following. | was
awokc by gentle tap upon the ~indo"
Of the little room in the back OF The shop
in which lodged. Thinking OF burglars
sprang out of bed. and in moment
was at the window with heavy hammer
in nv hand. which usually kept at that
time within reach oil my bedside.
Who's there?" | inquired. raising
the hammer and peering oOt into
the darkness il was as dark as Egypt
when under the curse of Israel's God.
"IIistm exclaimed figure. stepping
in front Of the window ''open the door
Il have business with you
''Rather past business hours. should
think; bu. who are you -
mo one that will harm you, returned
the voice, which was rather feminine Tor
burglars.
me one that can = replied rather
emphalicaly. by way 0l warning. as l
frightened my grip upon the hammer and
proceeded TO my door. | pushed back
the bolt and slowly opening the door
discovered the stranger already upon the
steps.
What do you want: - abruptly in.
quired.
IL will tell YOU" answered the same
soft voice, I'll you dare open the door
wide enough to enter"
Come in" said |. resolutely throwing
the door ajar. and proceeded to light
q candle. Having succeeded. turned to
examine the visitor. lie was small
neatly dressed gentleman, with heavy
Raglan around his shoulders. and blue
navy cap drawn suspiciously over his
eyes. As ! advanced toward him he
seemed 10 hesitate moment. then
raised the cap from his forehead and
looked me curiously in The face. ! did
not drop the candle. but acknowledged
10 a little nervousness - | hurriedly
placed the candle upon the table and
silently proceeded 10 invest myself with
two or three very necessary articles oil
clothing. As the Lord liveth. my visitor
was a lady. and the same for whom |
had opened the little box about a month
before. Having completed my hasty
toilet, attempted to stammer an apollo
gy for my rudeness. but utterly failed.
The fact is. | was confounded.
Smiling at my discontinue, she said:
Disguise is useless; lpresume you
recognize me-"
Il believe | told you. madam. |
should not soon forget your face. In
WuaI way eau seiNe you
by doing half an hours work before
dayligh: tomorrow. and receiving FIVE
hundred dollars for your labor" was the
reply.
1t Is not ordinary work." said |. In.
quiringly, "lhat commands so munifcent
q compensation ?"
at Ia labor common TO your calling"
returned the lady. The price is not SO
much for The labor as lor the condition
under which il must be performed"
"And what Is the condition ?" inquir.
ed.
That you will submit to being con.
veyed from and returned to your own
door, blindfolded."
Ideas OF murder, burglary, and almost
every other crime of villainy. hurriedly
presented themselves 10 succession rs
politely bowed. and said
al must understand something more
OF the character of the employ as
the condition. to accept the Offer
"Will not five hundred dollars answer
in lieu OF an explanation ?" she inquired.
"No-nor five thousand"
She patted her foot nervously on the
floor. could see she had placed entire.
ly TOO low an estimate upon my honesty.
and felt some qualification in being able
to convince her OF the fact.
"Well, then. II il is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she replied. Il
must tell you that you are required to
pick the lock OF q vault, and"
You have gone quite too far. madam.
with the explanation. interrupted; al
am not at your service"
"As said,n she continued, "you are
required to pick the lock OF vault and
rescue man from death, a man who has
been confined thore for three days"
ITO whom does the vault belongs" |
asked
"My husband was the somewhat
, reluctant reply.
! Then why so much secrecy, or rather
how came man confined in such
| place9'
"I secreted him there 10 escape the
observation of my husband. He suspect
ed as much, and closed the door upon
him. Presuming he had quilted the
vault and Quilted the house by the back