Litchfield enquirer., 1876-01-13
WFIOE.Esl NO::.' 2586.
she kept Mrs. MsstOn's keys. What did
.Esay1aH 2,

she kept Mrs. Meston's keys. What did he know about that particular box 2ry Gathering all her courage for the effort, she made one spring to the open door, tore the key from the lock, closed and looked it outside It was the work of moment. Clasping the door knob she paused, ex- pectane, in the almost palpable darkness of the hall, for unknown hands. to seize How many robbers were in the house The silence was terrible. She guided her. self to Mrs. Meston's door, which was al- SO wide open. Where was Mrs. Meston and Alice 1? She dared not whisper, but one fierce resolve possessed her she must gain the bell-cord, and sound the alarm for which Holmcroft had waited, with many Q scotf. all these years. As her fingers closed over it, a heavy blow fell on Che door leading to aAlice's room. ai4''Open this door, or it will be wnssz for ye," said savage voice. ,f.l L,.orssl...,, Hannah pulled the cord violently, then | fled, just as the prisoner in her own room put his foot through the panel of the locked door with a rending crash. If he found her Shrinking along the wall as if imploFing the very house to shield her, l in cold dkead and terror, she crouched in the space behind the tall clock. The pursuer came straight on I She felt her limbs stifen; her brain was on fire the dull ringing of innumerable voices sound ed in her ears then she believed herself dead. beneath the pail of indefinable hor- TOT.
 Francis Iredell, hastening up the Gold avenue, now all darkness, encountered Q man in full shock There was Q, rush, a struggle, then the man had vanished, leaving heavy box in onr hero's arms. The report of gun made him hurry on. A second shape ran toward him. evidently in flight i; Francis dropped the, box and served him.
 ''No, my fine fellow. I have you fast" l he exclaimed.
 The second man was slight and supple.
 ''Is it Francis Iredell Let me go, for Gods sake" a,-s1 a.. .. .grEsrU Godfrey Noy P ejaculated Francis, ''well, sir, your pal has escaped" ''My pal P interposed Godfrey, haught- fly. ''Do you take me for thief? Tam alone, and have been playing the fool, trying to see the old lady's will. Quick, don't betray me-"
 "Goil Shall know where to find you," said Francis Iredell, sternly, recovering the box. ,..s..l f-..-.3 ...-i' y....,... 1 Dr. Sharpe had fired the gun, and lost his man. When he recognized Francis, he insisted on discharging the weapon Edown the avenue again, in great excite ment, until his companion diverted him. "We must go into the house" he said, and both men felt little thrill of fear.
 An affrighted cook, and house-maid responded from 8 window of the wing. .and | utterly refused to come down to open 8 1 door. How did they know what had hap pened ? Francis broke in one of the win 1 dows, and the two gentlemen entered. Mrs. Meston was discovered sitting mp l in her bed. she having extricated herself from the folds of her own india shawl, in which she had been well-nigh smothered. A burglar with crape over his face, had I awakened her !; she had struggled to rise, when he enveloped her in the great shawl. Mrs. Meston, wild and disheveled, held something fast clutched in her hand, which she raised to the hght. It was a fragment of linen. with an opal stud of curious workmanship attached. Inside was the inscription /: Godfrey NoY, 1870" .t .. .A'
 '''I gave 1t to him." she said. and lay back on her pillow without another word. Sunset again over the purple hills: Francis lredell and Hannah Leleune lin gering in the summer house. Mrs. Mes ton came slowly down the Gold avenue with Dr. Sharpe. at.. ..-.
 "Children, he cried, in his brisk, ,chirp- ing voice, ''she has accepted me, as the best of burglar protectors"
 Mrs. Meston had never appeared so grave and dignifed the sunset gleamed on her dress and jewels. ''I am not great match, I have been making another will. and it is best we should all understand that Hannah Le- jeune is my heiress." .|
 "No. mo-" exclaimed the girl, quickly, in pained tone, ''you do not know what have done. Godfrey is my cousin"
 My dear, know more than you imag- inc. I repeat, Hannah Lejeune is my heiress-provided she marries to suit me-
 With that she laid her hand on the shoulder of Francis Iredell. ..a..g
 "I:have been here but two days" said the young man musingly, and then he looked eagerly into Hannah's shy, reluc- tant eyes. a7 'erf-. a .r,t sa.''E t}
 Showers of leaves fell softly in the Gold avenues .-., sal .... -sal a. ...