The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-09

OF getting the cook TO alarm their neigh
bors at the corner, for the next let was
vacant, and she must cross the hall and
go past the stairs to find her. There
would be no use in throwing up the win
dow and screaming; the house was on
Clinton avenue, quite far out, and the
policeman on that beat did not come
past very often.
Virginia wrung her hands, when a
sleepy murmur OF "Auntie !" startled
her. In second her resolve was taken,
and sine was on her knees by Fred, kiss
ing him and whispering in his ear.
"Fred, my darling, Auntie is going to
do something funny: You remember
how pa jumped you down from the bal
cony on Christmas day to run after the
monkey I am going to Jump you down.
Don't speak word now. Act like man.
There, now !"
Fred was just years old, but great
boy for his age, and he always obeyed
Virginia implicitly so he rubbed his
eyes wide open, and was carried to the
window. The balcony, outside, was not
far from the ground. AS Virginia looked
out carefully, she saw, under the gaslight
ut the corner, tall figure with the gleam
of brass buttons.
Erred" she whisper ed rapidly, "run
to that policeman, and tell him to come
right here to Auntie then go to Mr..
Motley's, at the corner, and ring the bell
with all your might-it is low, and you
can reach it-and tell George and Harry
Motley that Aunt Virginia says there is
a thief in the house. Don't be afraid,
Fred be man like papa!"
Over, gently, over the low railing !;
and then, with good shake of
his small person, Fied's fat little
legs trotted swiftly off toward the po-
ieeman.
Directly, under the balcony, voice
said, softly:
"What is wanted, ma'am Can you
open the front door for me2"
1 cannot" she painted ; there are
burglars in the house, and 1 should be
heard. Can you get up here, somehow 2
Has the little boy gone to the neigh
bor's2"
There WINS no answer to her question !;
but the policeman easily followed
her suggestion, and climbed up over the
balcony.
"Waitl" whispered Virginia, laying
her cold hand on the policeman's arm,
as he made motion to 60 forward.
"They are up stairs in my room, look
ing for my jewels. If you will stand
just behind that door, will creep up
the back stairs and reconnoiter if the
woman comes t. answer the bell, seize
her. There is only one man if want
help will call, and then you will rush
up the front stairs"
3" Are you not afraid ?" asked the po-
liceman with some surprise but Vir-
ginia was gone before he had finished
his remark.
When she reached the stairs, she
found by the sounds that the man had
evidently gone into the silver-closet,
which stood on the other side of the
tween the two-for she could hear Alice
walking around in the bedroom Quick
as fash the little figure glided up
stairs, slipping off her boots on the
lowest step; there was no light in the
hall, except that afforded by the bur-
glars lantern, for the gas was turn
down low, and the lantern set inside the
closet door. The door opened outward,
and the key was in it; spring, a sudden
bang, and then the click of the key in
Virginia's nervous fingers, as she turned
it in the lock. A tremendous curse came
from the captured thief, as she leaned
breathlessly::against the door. The same
moment the gasight behind her was
suddenly turned on her, and Alice con-
fronted Virginia.
"You here, MADAME Well, you and
I are quits, anyhow. Open that door, or
I'll send bullet through your head
You didn't think of my having revolv-
er, did you9"
"No," said Virginia, looking in the
girls furious eye with her peculiarly
calm smile. "Helpl Policel"
Z" You may split your pretty throat
calling" said Alice, seizing her saw
agely by the arm. "No one will come !;
the cook is drugged, and you are at our
mercy. Give me the key"
"Ill trouble you for that pistol !"
said stern voice behind Virginia, as
quick, strong arm jerked the weapon
away from Alice.
Alice, with a shrek, fell on the floor,
for she realized all at once. But Vir-
ginia, gasping "Ah, my God ]" gazed
as if turned to stone, for it was Langley
Temple tnat she saw.
"Virginia, don't be terrified" he
said "it is my very self, no ghost.
Take my hand, love see, it is flesh and
blood, like your own, DEAR" He had
her in his arms. The door-bell was
ringing furiously. but he would have let
the neighbors pull the wire till it broke
before he would have left her in that
dumb, shocked state. AS he touched
her she trembled violently then the
light came back TO her eyes, and, with a
sob of Joy, Virginia flung herself on tbs
breast of him whom she had mourned
rs dead.
The Motleys had time 10 think that
Virginia was murdered before the pair
opened the door. Very much surprised
were they to see, instead of the police
man they expected to find, very tall,
handsome young man, stranger, in uD-
dress navy uniform. Fred, now that his
part of the fun was over, began 10 roar,
and Virginia took him up in her arms,
while the three gentlemen, assisted by
the real Simon-Pure policeman, a
brawny son of Erin, opened the closet
and secured the prisoner. Within the