The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-03-24
WESTMINSTER, MD SATURDAY, MARCH "a, 1877

bOOtS vi INC iOHest btep. IueIe was III
light in the hall except that afforded b,
the burglars lantern, for the gas wa
turned down low, and the lantern set in
side the closet door. The door opened
outward, and the key was in it. A spring
a sudden bang, and the click of the key
in Yirginia's nervous fingers, as she turnet
it in the lpck. A tremendous curse CANE
from the captured thief, as she leaneC
breathlessly against the door. The SAINT
moment the gaslight behind her was sud
denly turned on, and Alice confronted
Virginia
You here, madam? Well, you and
| are quits, any how. Open that door, OIL
I'll send bullet through your head
You didn't think Of my having revolver
did you ?"
"No," said Virginia, looking in the
girls furious eyes with her peculiarly
calm smile. "Help! Police !"
You may split your pretty throat cal
ling" said Alice, seizing her savagely by
the arm "No one will come. The cook /
drugged, aud you are at our mercy. Give
me the key ]"
"Pll trouble you for that pistol p said
a stern voice behind Virginia, as a quick,
strong arm jerked the weapon away from
Alice. Alice, with a shrek, fell to the
floor, for she realized all at once. But
Virginia, gasping,
All, my God" gazed as if turned to
stone, for it was Langley Temple that she
saw.
Virginia, don't be terrified he said.
at 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 il 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 q sob Of
joy, Virginia flung herself on the breast
Of him whom she had mourned as dead.
The Motleys had time to think that
Virginia was murdered before the pair
opened the door. Very much surprised
were they to see, instead of the policeman
they expected to find, very tall, hand
some young man, a stranger, in undress
navy uniform. Fred, now that his part
Of the fun was over, began to roar, and
Virginia took him up in her arms, while
the three gentlemen, assisted by a real
Simon-Pure policeman, a brawny son of
Erin, opened the closet and secured the
prisoner. Within the next fifteen minutes
the other servants had returned-for the
burglary had taken place before l | o'clock
and Alice, having recovered from her
swoon, was carried to the station-house.
don't know how Langley and Virginia
were occupied till my return; but when
Frank thrust his latch-key into the door,
Virginia flew out Of the library and tried,
with few incoherent sentences, to pre-.
pare me forseeing something. The con-
sequence was, that, when l pushed the
door open in very bewildercd frame of
mind, and saw Langley smiling at me,
was terrified almost out of my senses, and
came near fainting.
To the best of my recollection, the
household sat up nearly all night, though
finally, after | had heard the whole story,
been speechless over Virginia's bravery
and hugged Fred-now asleep in the arm
chair-Frank dragged me of to bed.
| don't know that Langley and Virginia
sat there till morning, but certainly the
first persons | saw upon coming down to
breakfast were themselves, on the identi.
cal sofa where | had left them.
Langley's story is too long a one to be
told here. Suffice it to say that, being on
deck when the Tecumseh sunk, he had
been able to strike out from the sinking
ship, aud, under cover of the smoke and
roar Of battle, to swim ashore. There,
however, he was taken prisoner and kept
in close confinement for some months,
finally making his escape. Coming direct
to Frank for intelligence before presenting
himself to his family, he had stopped to
light cigar under the gaslight, where
Virginia had mistaken him for police.
man. He had known her instantly, aud
probably only her fright and agitation
prevented her from recognizing his voice,
which he mischievously told her, he did
not disguise in the least.
Alice and her accomplicc were identi.
fed by the police as old offenders The
woman had carried on systematic pilfering
at Temple'sand was an accomplished hypO.
crite. To my intense qualification the
pair were sentenced for full term to Sing
Sing,
Langley and Virginia were married very
soon after. Frank gave away the lovely
little bride, whose fair, girlish bloom had
come back to her, and who, under the in
auence of love, seemed different woman
from the pale, sad creature who had moved
so quietly about the house.
They idolize each other, and | think
have quite forgiven Grandma Chichester,
and poor Horace Kent. Fred has always
been a great pet with his aunt for his
bravery on the night of the attempted
burglary. -r.
Between Fred's bOasting and my sly
teasing, poor Frank will never be allowed
to forget his instrumentality in introducing
me to such "a Perfect Treasure"
The royal state coach of England has
lately had complete overhauling and
been regilt. 1t was constructed in 1851
hv Sir Thomas Chomhars and tbo no;n.