Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-12-01

son came in at it. felt about me IN the
dark. There was sliding panel in the
inside of the stairway. [ pushed it, and it
rolled back. [ entered into a long close
under the stairs, and slid the panel care
fully into its place. [ felt cautiously to
see if all was safe. Ipulled my dress close
about me lest it might be caught, and the
door not closed tightly. Then [ waited. !
heard steps coming up the stairs. heard
a search through all the rooms below. My
heart beat till thought that each bound
must be audible, heard wholesome voice,
the Ravens. [ knew that harsh croak. It
told me nothing. The face had revealed
all to me. The man had.seen the bag of
gold as he leaned over the wall in the
morning, unnoticed by the gay group. 1t
was all plain to me. He had gathered from
the girls talk that might be alone. He
had returned and watched. He had brought
accomplices. Very soon the steps and
voices came my way. 1 could distinguish
plainly the words that were spoken.
|
mo matter; we'll split, the box open
with this AK"
I knew the AK was in the little porch.
Thomas had set it in when he had done
chopping the brush, as it looked like rain.
[ heard the steps and voices move away,
a dull, crashing sound, and then stiied an
cry tones. [ knew they had opened the
box, and found nothing but the papers. [
knew they would now search for me. L
heard them as they looked into every room
and closet, and came up the stairs sepa-
rate. They all met at the foot of the gar.
ret stairs. A thick board was between u.s.
[ thanked God that the panel was close
! shut. I knew it, for no ray OF light came
through.
She must be up here" said the Raven,
land We'll soon have her."
''I7ll warrant she is here, and III wiring
her neck if she makes q noise about it,
But the thorough search was ended, and
the voices grew very angry and full Of
frightful oashs and threateniugs. They
sat down On the garnet stairs to hold a
parley. A spider ran across my face. A
| spider puts me in mortal fear. 1t was with
a great effort that [ kept from screaming.
"Come," croaked the Raven, ''let us go
and get the silver; that will be something
that will be something"
course the silver. It's the gold I've
come for, and I'll burn the house if don't
find the girl So let her look out!''
A cold perspiration came on my forehead.
Would they perform their threat
Good! Then the rats will squeak,
Down drop the money bags,' and We'll
choke The girl to make her dumb"
''Hold your noise. The old man will be
coming home. Well be caught here. Be
quick"
"Who cares for him! He's only one. A
bludgeon will give him handy little head
| ache as he comes in.''
'And his wife ?"
They spoke low, hideous words that made
my flesh creep. [ almost was ready to call
aloud: to open the panel, to give them the
gold, and bid them go. They got up, and
the steps and voices went down. 1t was
horrible there in the dark. l was sitting.
moved the panel slightly. No light en-
tered. slid it softly back. My resolu-
ton was taken. I would get out of the
house, run down the road, and meet my
father. would save him. left the gold
in the closet, shutting it in close stole
down two steps into the chamber below. I
knew there was a window open there. 1
crept across the room, listening keenly. I
lifted myself cautiously on the window
ledge, and caught a branch Of the cherry
tree which grew close to the house. Swing
ing myself lightly out, hastily descended
the trunk Of the tree, and found myself on
the ground safe.
No. The lightning flash betrayed me-
The Raven voice shrieked. hoarsely:
s'There she goes! Catch her Quick
This way ~
Out at the front door came the pursuers,
hardly ten steps from me. ] dashed toward
the thick shrubbery to pnt them off the
track. Fortunately I knew the way, every
step of it. They were guided slowly by
the sound and flashing light.
"Shoot her by the next flash p cried
one.
My flying feet struck loose boards I
was passing directly over an old, unused
we'll; very deep, and it gave back hollow,
resonant sound. Almost the next moment
I heard crash, the report of a pistol, a
heavy fall, oaths and deep groan. Shud-
dering, sped on through the garden, up
toward the cider press, over the stone wall
down the hollow, up the hillside, over the
ed after me. ran down to the second
bars, and let them dawn. It began to rain
few great drops, then fast, then it pour
ed. / was wet to the skin. I ran on, fol-
I heard advancing wheels coming rapidly
I stood in the road and cried FEATHER !!
father !" The chaise stopped. Another
chaise behind stopped also. It was our
next neighbours, who lived quarter of a
mile further on.
cam, my child. Good heavens! What
is the matter? What has happened %
I told the whole in few words, amid
eager EXPLANATIONS of joy at my safety, Of
surprise, even Of anger because Thomas
had left me alone.
'sDon't blame him, father; insisted on
his going"
A hurried consultation took place. My
father was very brave. Our neighbor wa S
very timid. He proposed going on to his
house apd returning with weapons. In
the meantime l had got into the chaise
and crouched down at my mothers feet,
who was half crying, and wholly thankful
to feel me there.