, 1877-01-19

two others to the garret stairs. hard
ly breathed. l heard n window push
up; more than one person came in
at it. l felt about me in the
dark. There was sliding panel in the
inside of the stairway. pushed it, and
it rolled back. entered into long
closet under the stairs. and slid the pan
ell carefully into its place. felt eau
tiously to see if all was safe. pulled
my dress close about me, lest IL might
be caught, and the door not closed tight.
Then waited. heard steps coming
up the stairs. Iheard a search through
all the rooms below. My heart beat
till thought each bound must be audi
BILE. l heard voices-one voice, the
Ravens. 1 knew that harsh croak. 1t
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 l
might be alone. He had returned and
watched. He had brought accomplices.
Very soon the steps and voices came
my way. could distinguish the words
that were spoken.
"Drat her! she must have seen you"
"No matter we'll split the box open
with this axe"
knew the axe was in the little porch.
Thomas had sent it in when he had done
chopping the brush, as it looked like
rain.
1 heard the steps and voices move
away, dull, crashing sound, and then
stihed, angry tones. I knew they had
opened the box, and found nothing but
the papers. I knew they would now
search for me.
heard them as they looked into ev-
cry room and closet, and came up the
stairs separately, They all met at the
foot Of the garnet stairs. A thick board
was between us. I 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 Ra-
ven, land we'll soon have her"
''In warrant she's here, and I'll wiring
her neck if she makes noise about it. F"
But the thorough search was ended,
and the voices grew very angry, and
full of frightful oaths and threatenings.
They sat down on the garret stairs to
hold parley. A pider ran across my
face. A spider puts me in mortal fear.
1t was with great effort that kept from
screaming.
"Come," croaked the Raven, "let us
go and get the silver; that will be some
thing-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 grill So let her look
outl"
A cold perspiration came on my fore
head. Would they perform their threat?
Good Then the rats will squeak,
Down drop the money bags and we
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 a handy
little headache as he comes in"
And his wife?"
They spoke low hideous words that
made my flesh creep. 1 was almost
ready to call aloud, to open the panel,
to give them the gold, and let them go.
They got up, and the steps and voices
went down. twas horrible there in the
dark. was sitting. M
Imoved the panel lightly. No light |
entered. I slid it softly back. Ny reso-
luton was taken.
I would get out of the house, run
down the road, and meet my father.
would save him.
I left the gold in the closet, shut
ting it in close. l stole down the steps
into the chamber below. knew
there was a window openthere. crept
across the room, listening keenly.
1 lifted myself cautiously upon the
window-ledge, and caught branch of
the cherry tree which grew close to the
house. :,
Swinging myself lightly out, I hast
ily descended the trunk Of the tree, and |
found myself on the ground safe.
No. The lightning fash betrayed me.
The Ravens voice shrieked, hoarsely, |
There she goesI Catch herl Quick
This wayp
Out at the front door came the pursu-
ers, hardly ten steps from me.
l dashed toward the thick shrubbery |
to put them of the track.
Fortunately knew the way, every |
step Of it. They we're guided solely by
the sound and flashing light.
Shoot her by the next fash !" cried
one. -,.,
My flying feet struck loose boards.
I was passing directly over an old,
unused well, very deep, and it gave back
q hollow, resonant sound.
Almost the next moment heard a
crash, the report Of a pistol, heavy
fall, oaths, and deep groan.
Shuddering, I sped on through the
garden, up toward the cider-press, over
the stone wall, down the hollow, up the /