Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-03-16

Of azure blue. The clock struck the
hour Of two.
"Janet has been gone On hour" she
thought. els it possibles What love-
ly afternoohl But / guess / WONT go
to Helen's, but viii keep oh working"
Just then she turned her head in a
different direction. Directly opposite
the sittih g-room, on the other size ofthe
hall, was the dining room. A large mir
ror hung against the wall. in which
could be seen her fathers secretary,
where his valuable papers were kept, and
in which he had deposited the money
on the evening before. In the desk
was the key, which he had forgotten to
take from the lock. Imagine Mariana
surprise and CONSERVATION to see, bend
ing over the desk, a man who strongly
resembled the one described by Helen
Davis. He seemed to be searching for
something.
The girls resolution was Immediately
taken. Before she could obtain assis-
lance he would escape with his booty.
Uncle Fred g revolver she could not OBJ
tain without alarming him. Walking
softly into the hall, she took from the
stand her fathers large cane she walk
ed softly into the dining room; her kid
slippers made no noise on the wooden
carpet. Just as the man had found the
pile of bankHotes, a we'll directed blow
with the heavy cane caused him to reel
and fall senseless to the floor. He SEEM
ed lifsless, and the girl turned pale.
Then, thinking an accomplice might be
lurking around, she hurriedly replaced
the papers and locked the desk. She put
the banknotes into her pocket, and, ia
king the key and her weapon of defense
she ran through the hall out Of tie front
door, reaching the street just as a car-
riage was passing, and saw seated there
in their family physician. She held up
her hands imploringly, as her frighten-
ed lips Called
CDR. Gleason Stop! Stop!'
"Why, Mariana, what is the matter?'
said he, alarmed at her appearance. as
any one ills'
''Come into the house, doctor, quick !!
/ found a man at fathers desk taking
money, and / believe I've killed him !"
and she shuddered at the very thought
"Was there but one 2" he asked.
81 think not, was the reply.
swell, child, jump into my chase,
drive down to where those men are at
work, and tell them that DR.. Gleason
wants them"
When Mariana returned, she found
the doctor trying TO restore the man to
consciousness. Soon the four workmen
made their appearance, and an officer
was sent for. While they were doing
all that was possible to revive the man,
Janet came in the back door. Seeing
Mariana in the dining room, and not
observing the others, she said
"Sister Julia wasn't at home, Miss
Mariana. so / didn't stay long-I only
called on neighbor." Then coming in
to the room, she exclaimed, 'eThe tramp!
How came he here Z"
"My good woman" said the doctor,
"this man was found by Mariana, help.
ing himself to money from her fathers
desk. What do you know of him e
"Why, sir, he must be the one who
entered Squire Smiths residence this
forenoon and stole several hundred dol.
lars. He has been lurking in this vi
cinity for some days"
The man gradually returned to con-
seriousness, and Mariana could but look
on with plying eye, although when he
saw the author of his misfortune he
vowed to have vengeance upon her. By
that time an officer arrived, and he was
conveyed to the station-house.
Upon examination, there was found
under the lining of his hat several hun
dred dollars, which was identified by
Squire Smith as his property. 1t was
afterward proved that twas his face
which Mrs. Creasey saw at the back
window of the dining-room, and that
he saw Lawyer Creasey deposit the
money in his desk Keeping watch Of
the premises, he saw Mr. Creasey and
Lis wife leave the house in the morning
and Janet so away about noon. Think
ing the family all away from home, and
the house fastened, he entered by cut
ting pane Of glass in the kitchen win
dow, and heard not sound till he was
felled to the floor by our heroine.
On the arrival home of her father and
mother that evening, Mariana related
to them the adventure of the day. They
listened with breathless amazement at
the recital Of her story, aud praised their
daughter for her presence Of mind and
prompt action in time when life and
property were in jeopardy.
s.But them" her father playfnlly res
marked. stha money was Arthurs, wife,