The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-20


peach on us. She Is to be my wife,
next week, ald loves me too well to
serve me an ill turn. Go ahead and
never mind her, Dick"
"BuL L shall mind her." Dick returned,
drawing pistol from the breast pocket
OF his coat. "The least sign of treachery
or attempt to betray us, and will not
answer or the consequences. So lead
on, my fine lady, and show us the way
to your mistress ROOM"
He placed the muzzle of the pistol
close to her temple, anu she dared do
rothing else but to obey. They paused
on the landing, just outside the door.
"Miss Hargrave received 500 one day
last week, and 1t is still in the house !"
said the man, Dick, in hoarse whisper.
"Tell us where it is to be found"
| Kitty hesitated. She could not deny
this fact, TOR she remembered to have
mentioned it incidentally TO Hal, only
the day before.
"How can I?" she returned. "You
must think my mistress has abundant
confidence in me. OF course she would
not intrust such secret to servant"
'Not another subteruge," interrupted
the man, pressing the cold steel against
her temple; "We are bound to have the
information"
cellar" said Kitty, reluctantly.
"And where is The key?"
'FMy mistress always sleeps with it
under her pillow"
"Very good. You must get it for us;
and bring us her watch and purse. But
attempt to play us false, and your life
and hers shall pay the forfeit. Now go,
and be quick about it,"
He pushed her toward the door. Hal
stood by, attempting no interference.
Miss Hargrave was still sleeping sound
| ly, as she knew by her deep and regular
breathing, therefore she performed her
errand as soon as possible, securing the
purse, watch and key, and then hast
eued out again, weak and trembling
from emotion.
Dick took them without a word, only
motioning for her to lead the way down
stairs. In the dining-room they paused
40 stow away lew articles of silver, aud
then went on to the cellar door. Kitty
longed unulterably to cry out, or make
some noise that would alarm the house,
and bring the men-serVantS to the res
cue, but she dared not. she could only
perform their bidding in silence, hating
Hal with an intense hatred, for all this
shame and modification he was bring
ing upon her. On, If Edward were only
there!
After whispering moment apart they
gave her the lantern, and made her de-
scend the cellar stairs first, lighting the
way for them TO follow. The safe stood
against the wall, and the two robbers
FASTENED eagerly forward to unlock it,
and secure their prize, for the moment
forgetful of the girPs presence.
A sudden thought dashed like light
ming through Kitty's brain-a thought
| that God himself must have sent. Tie
| iron door 10 the satenwas furnished with
spring lock-a sure, careful movement,
and she might yet save them ALL She
was still carrying the lantern, and, lift
| ing it higher in her hands, as if to afford
them better light, she suddenly dashed
| it at Dicks head, who was nearest to
| her, and sprang through the door, clos
| ing 1t with loud clang and snap, as
| the bolt showed into It's socket behind
| herl
The lantern must have been extin.
! guished when it leu, for Kitty heard
| them cropping for the door, at first curs-
| ing and threatening. Then Hal began
| to coax and plead, and call To the poor
girl, telling her how much he had al
ways loved her, ard declaring that any
crime he had committed had been done
entirely for her sake, and that she ought
to have some mercy on him and let him
out. 1t could not be that she was so
lhard-hearted as to desert him at such q
time of need! Finally, as no reply
was Youchsaed them, they began 10
pound upon the door, and to curse and
swear again,
| But Kitty only remained long enough
to recover from her giddiness, and then
| sped up stairs, and had soon succeeded
in alarming the house. The police were
called in, and the would-be robbers se-
cured. Hal Burton entreating the young
| girl 10 save him, 10 the very last.
| Edward Wyndham heard the news
early the next morning, and came i'm.
mediately to the house. At first he
seemed at loss how to address Kitty,
and she, observing his embarrassment,
went straight to him, and laid her little
hand in his broad palm.
| II can read my own heart as it is to-
day." she said, earnestly, "and, Edward,
am very glad that all this has hal-
pened, for it has saved me from life
time of misery. l honestly believe that
your little finger is more precious to me
than all Hal Burton's pretended love-"
OF course Edward Wyndham was
very happy in listening to such dec-
laration, and glad to feel himself the OBJ
ject OF Kittys attachment. Thus it
came about that wedding really did
take place on the day first appointed,
though Edward, and not Hal, was the
bridegroom.
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