Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-08-23

library. stood on tiptoe, and D - Il
bis hiding-placs. There seen % Be
eyes In his back. which felt 4 essu-
tiny. But the lamp they c. did
not suffice TO bring out his 20 lears
ly.
"I'm sure see something. a An=
gle, getting up on chair.
Its only the shadow ofthe ht. .
replied John.
Light the gas end let rs nal Sufe, -
said Mrs. McLane.
George stood up on q chair I ~ the
chandelier, and lighted one Sf burn-
ers. I'll
An inarticulate ejaculation from
every mouth. A hvuen n. s-s dis
tinc,ly. visible. reeiiaing 'sSap top
% The hoekcse<s Vii : iaZs reu F'
the wall. The ladies' would Il 9th
with run away but for the iactsyk one
door Of the room was directly Beneath
the bookcase, and the other close to it.
Upon Bobs paralyzed senses fell the
sharp words 0. John:
| "We've got you. Get down.
He did no: move, but at the summons
his soul, with inexpresslble reluctance
and disgust, bagan to return from the
end OF il. floating thread, and .reinhabit
the Quarters for which it could not quite
shake off responsibility.
Get up, or III shoot!" said George.
"Oh, don't shoot him !" cried Mrs.
McI.ane, while Bob. still motionless,
dimly hoped he would.
"Get up" reiterated John; and he
did get up. His own will " as inactive,
and Johns was the force that moved
his muscles. He turned around and sat
up, his legs dangling over the edge Of
the bookcase, and his vet, white,
| wretched face blankly directed towards
the group-r=a most pitable figure.
Jump down" said John; land il
you Try to escape. you will get shot -
Bob let himself drop without regard
to how he was to aiight, and in conse.
quence was severely bruised against a
| chair and the edges OF the bookcase.
He stood facing the group. His eyes
mechanically sought Ang gie's. What
was lis surprise not to perceive in her
expression Of mingled curiosity ard
fright the sl'gh.es. sign of recognition !!
y glance showed him that it was the
same with the others. John and George
evidently supposed they were dealing
with an ordinary burglar, and the 9TH
erS were apparently quite as devoid of
suspicion a TO his identity. His wig,
He had forgotten all about it. That ex-
planned their singular demranor.
The bald man in stockings, trousers
and shirt, caught hiding in the library
after an attempt on the silver, quite
naturally failed to recall 20 their minds
the youth Of rather toppish attire and
luxurant locks who bade them good
night few hours previous. As this
fact and its eSrlanat;cn broke upon
Bob's mind he ielt an immence sense OF
relief, instantly followed by 4 more poig-
nant perception Of the inexiricable ial-
sitv and cruel absurd:ty Of his position.
lie had little time to think it over and
determine his best course.
John stepped forward, and with the
point Of his crne.>word motioned him
into a corner, thus leaving the way clear
to the ladies', who at once hurried into
the din'ns-room, throwing glances of
fear and aversion uron Bob as they
passed. Angie paused at the doorway
and asked:
What are YOU going TO do with the
dreadful man =
Bob even then was able to notice that
he had meter seen her so ra.ishingly
beautiful As now, with her golden hair
falling over her charming deshabiUe,
while her eyes scintillated with excite
mcnt. She would have blushed to hare
been seen BY him in such an undress
toilet, but, with an odd feeling Of being
double. he perceived that she now re-
gardcd him IS she would have an ami
NAL.
George. and will attend to him
You had better 20 10 bed, replied John
tc her question: and then he sent George
after some cord. meanwhile standing in
front o.. Bob with cooked revolver. Had
he scanned his prisoner closely. he NIGH,
have detected something familiar in his
lincament>, but in careless contempt he
took him in with aswceping glance as
an average burglar, whose identity was
question for The police.
Bob had not uttered a word. In the
complex Ials';t ct his position he could
not indeed muster presence of mind TO
resolve on anv course. but regarded with
kind OF i.taity the extraordinary d.
rection events were taking. But when
George returned with The rope, and or
dered him to put his hands behind him,
he said, in tone so quir. that it sur
pri>ed himself:
Hold on, Mr.. McLane: this Joke has
gone far enough. lam Robert Wi,hers.
at your service. and respectfully &c.
cline . be considered in the light O. a
burglar any further
Georges jaw dropped with astonish-
men;, and John was scarcely les taken
abaCS.
I'D if he isn't!' ejacula,ed the
former after moment, in q tone of in.
orednlcas conviction, as he recognized
at ONCE the voice and hcw the features
Of Bob: but where's your hair;"
Bot slu>hed painfully.
IL wear wig" he replied, ''snd to.
night, coming downstairs after sou
were I'll abed to get nv ring witch I
had left on the table here, | dad no. full.
IL dress, Gr,,r- Lark "A wa. tt