The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1877-02-22


smell was-chloroform Then, g.
she caught her frightened breath, anC
sank back into q chair, 9 low sound o
voices from the diDing-room reached
her ear. The door between the rooms
was sjar, and she saw thread Of IighI
from 1t the voice she heard was {
mans:
"Ye didn't give the young omar
too much o. that stuff, did ye?n II
asked, rather anxiously.
81 wish had," returned Alice's
low and stealtby voice 81 hate her
she suspects me-"
"Ha hs % gureIed the man, "she
must hA' been mighty oncivIl to We
ye usually gets on the right side of
'em. Is that ERE pitcher silver or
plate ?"
"Plate; the silver is upstairs"
Virginia shook as she heard the
venom Of that low voice.
''She was Mr.. Langley's lady-lOye
until her old grandma stopped it,"
"And what was Mr.. Langley to
you, my girl ?" said the man.
''Husn ! you'll wake the child, and
do not want 70 do him any harm.
Mr.. LanRley"-the woman's voice
softened-"never said dozen words
to me in his life but look you, Vim
cent, fairly worshipped him."
"Tbats right; tell me all, as pm
yer husband that is to be-" said the
other with coarse laugh.
"Mrs. Kent has splendid jewels,
too. just picked the lock to look at
them. You can take as MANY OF
those as you like. Come !"
As soon as the sound Of their foot.
steps died away, Virginia snatehed
the deadly handkerchief off her head
and staggered to her feet, though diz-
zily. She was a very spirited girl,
and determined that the pair should
not escape. But what could she do :?
II was vain to think Of getting the
cook to alarm their neighbors at the
corner, for the next lot was vacant,
and she must cross the hall and 90
past the stairs to find her. There
would be no use 10 throwing up the
window and screaming; the house
was on Clinton avenue, quite far out,
and the policeman on that beat did
not come past very often.
Virginia rung her hands, when 8
sleepy murmur of "Auntie % startled
her. In q second her resolve was
taken, and she was on her knees by
Fred, kissing dim and whispering in
his ear. Et
"Fred, my darling, auntie Is going
to do something funny. You remem-
Der how pa jumped you down from
the balcony on Christmas day, to run
after the monkey I am going to
jump you down now. Don't speak q
word now. Act like a man. There,
now Fn
Fred was just four years old, tut 8
great boy for his age, and be always
obeyed Virginia Implicitly; so he
ribbed his eyes wide open, and was
carried 10 the window. The balcony,
outside, was not far from the ground.
As Virginia looked out carefully she
saw, under the gaslight at the corner,
q tall figure with the gleam of brass
buttons.
Erred" she whispered rapidly,
''run to that policeman, and tell him
TO cCme right here to suntie; then go
to Mr.. Motleyis, at the corner, and
ring the bell with all your might-lt
is low, and you can reach it-and tell
George and Harry Motley that Aunt
1 80 . GACAC 10 a NlAcl LuC
house. Don't be afraid, Fred be q
man like papa ~
Over, gently, over the low railing (;
and then, with q good shake of his
small person, Fred's fat little legs trot-
ted swiftly of toward the policeman.
Directly, under the balcony, voice
said softly:
"What is wanted, ma'amP ? Can
you open the front door for me ?"
'I cannot, J" she painted "there are
burglars in the house, and should be
heard. Can you get up here, some
how? g? Has the little boy gone to the
neighbours ?"
There was no answer to her ques-
tious but the policeman easily fol-
lowed her suggestion, and climbed up
over the balcony.
"Wait % whispered Virginia, lay
ing her cold hand on the policeman's
arm as he made motion to go for
ward. "They are up stairs in my
room, looking for my jewels. II you
will stand just behind that door will
creep up the back stairs and recon-
noiter if the woman comes to an
swer the bell, seize her. There is
only one man II / want help I will
call, and then you will rush up the
front stairs"
"Ars you not afraid 2" asked the
policeman with some surprise but
Virginia was gone before he had fin-
ished his question.
When she. reached the stairs sbe
found by the sounds that the man had
evidently gone into the silver-cIoset,
| - S0rz oFa ha -fAa nf a
bsck stairs, and that now she was be-
tween the twO-for she could hear
Alice walking around in the bed
room. Quick as flash the little fig
ure glided upstairs, slipping off her
boots on the lowest step there was
no light in the hall except that af-
forded by the burglars lantern, for
the gas was turned down low, and the
lantern set inside the closet door.
The door opened outward, and the
key was in II spring, q 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 bresIhlessly against the
door. The same moment the gasIight
behind her was suddenly turned on,
and Alice confronted Virginia.
"You here, madam Well, you and
I are quits, anyhow. Open the door
or I'll send bullet through your head.
| You didn't think of my having re-
volver, did you ?'
"No," said Virginia, looking in the
1 girls furious eye with her peculiarly
calm smile. "Heip Police ~
| HYou NAV sDlit your prettV throat
calling" said Alice, seiLing her saw
agely by the arm. "Ho one will
come the cooks drugged, aud you
are at our mercy. Give me the key ni
"I'Jl trouble you for that pistol u
said stern voice behind Virginia, az
q quick, strong arm jerked the
weapon away from Alice. ------
Alice, with q shrek, fell to the
floor, for she realized all at once. But
Virginia, gasping "Ah, my God ~
eazed as II turned to stone, for Il was
Langley Temple that she saw.
'GVirginia, don't be terrified be
said SIT is my very self, no ghost
Take my hand, love see, it is hesh
aud blood, like your own, dearh HC
had her In his arms, The dOor-bel
was ringing furiOusly, but he woulC
have let the neighbors pull the WirG
till 1t broke before he would have Ief
her in that dumbed, shocked state
AS he touched her she trembleC
violently then the light came bsel
to her eyes, and, with sob of Joy
Virgins flung herself on the breas
Of him whom she had mourned .
dead.
! 4