The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-11-20

was lehulluRt III lHCt, WAS lust or
that mysterious frontier land betweer
tie two states, which is not tho least per
picking among the phenomena Of a NOR
tai existence-that is to soy, I thought
was dreaming-when I saw the figure o
a man on all fours crawling out OF tht
stream Of moonlight in the salon int
the shadow cast, as have said, by th,
arch and heavy folds Of the poriiere.
But knew I was awake when, losinr
sight OF him for minute there, I saw
him again emerging into the rays O
light which fell across the floor OF tht
alcove where I lay. I know, say, thu
| was awake now, for could I not dis
tingnish plainly as 10 came slowly api
stealthily toward the bed that his fact
was hidden by sort Of crape mask
And yet still, for moment more,
thought I must be dreaming. l had
never moved or raised my head from the
pillow; | bad simply opened my eyes
and still abstaiucd from movement
while endeayoring TO realize in what
condition I was.
Suddenly. however, all doubt diRap
peared. T took in on the instant the
fNct that this was an attempt at robbery,
perhaps worse; for, approaching the III
tie table, tho figure without rOisinf
from the floor lifted ono Of its hands a!
il to reach tho marble top. The mar
was within arms length Of me now, ant
without giving him tho slightest warn
ing by any preliminary movement on
deavored to spring out Of bed straight
upon him. For q second 1 had him b,
the cOllar; but not being ablo to &c
clear altogether from the bedclothes
was checked, and he slipped out Of M!
grasp like an eel aud disappeared in tht
shadow. .
Instantly, however, I was on my feet
but thinking that the fellow probably
would be armed I did not attempt Ia
grope for him, but made straight
through the door OF tue salon going Oh
to the landing, intending to raise all
alarm and prevent on escape, but before
I could draw tho bolt I saw him OF the
window opening OIL tho balcony. His
figure came between me and the moon.
light, and Judging that, rs the easement
WAS open, be must have entered that
way, and was now endeavoring to get
out by it, I once more sprung toward
him, and had him in my arms Just rs he
stepped on TO the balcony and was in
the act Of climbing over 1t. He stfug.
sled for a moment or two desperately, of
course; but my hot temper w0s up now,
aud thinking Of nothing but the iusolent
ludacity OF the intrusion and the at.
robbery, l tore him away with
great violence-for he was but like n
child in his strength compared to me-
and saying, in my fury: "llo. ho, you
tcoundrell you want to get ont this way,
DO you? then you shall go!' I flung
him, as il he had been truss OF straw,
',ver the balcony into tho rushing river
below
=
Then, and then ouly, for tho first
time, IN my haudt quilted hold Of him,
lid. l remember the situation OF my
rooms. l bad been sleeping in different
ones almost every night for the Inst SIX
weeks, and iu the suddencss aud rapidi-
ty with which tho whole cf tho it,ci.
ients had hsppencd l entirely forgot
that below the balcony rushed the i'll
petucus Rhine. Lightning dces not ex'
press the swift keenness OF the agony
which shot through my brain n9, glaring
.fter tho wretchod man, I tcaught n iaint
glimpse Of his falling figure, NM! hrard
the iaintcEt cry and splash risc for b
Secoul above tue rush OF the torrent.
Not being skilled in describing sensa
ti"ns l abstain entirely from attempting
To express what mine wcrc now. ]
pulled myself together In q minute or
Two, rnlravoring to colIcc! my thoughts.
and 10 settle wllat | ought to do. ]
4a!kel 10 tho table where | lnl left my
Sl.ch-it was gone; to the llttIcstand-
my packGt Of notes WIS satc. but ti!r
hail which I had arrested, ouly jGst in
time, US it rose toward thom belonged
to some one who knew that they were
there, that was evident. Then my eye
icIl upon black object lying on the
door in streak OF moonlight; it was
piece Of folded Grape with au elastic
bani attached. In the first encounter
tho thiet's disguise bad fallen of-herc
II was land remembered TINT for a
second ou tho balcony l had met the
rasca!'g largo dark eyes as they seemed
starting from lis head with terror.
The balcouyl As I put my hand on
the sile Of tho balustratt, i'll tue act OF
looking over, it touched the top OF u
light ladder, the other end Of which
on examination could now family dis
carn in the moonlight rested not q dozen
!.et down on a long but less projecting
hlllcony thnu mine, for my rooms were
nvor low. pitched e"trcso', to which
this lower balcony belonged.
Clearly, then, It was some ono en'
Raged about tho house-a waiter pr0ba'
bly who had attempted to rob me; Que
Of those who had seen mo open my let
tor and examine the notes. lhethought
me also then that my movements in my
room must have been watched, or that
ttealtby hand would never have been
raised with such fureknowlodGc toward
tho spot where had placed tho money.
Ny ;mnulse now WAS TO mise M
alarm but an instant's reflection
showed mo TINT il I did / must bid
to all thoughts Of reaching
Paris by the early train, and Of saving
the limit Of my leave. Aud was it worth
nv while to do thisl l decided IN a
certainly not. Was l to
expose myself to vast personal incon'
veniencc and possible professional ruin,
not meeting my engagements,
simply for tho sake Of explaining to the
law Of the land what hntl
and to run tho risk Of not no
being able TO do 30 to its satisfaction,