The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-05-15

handkerchief Off her head, and stagger-
cd to her feet, though dizzily. She was
a very spirited girl and determined that
the pair should not escape. But what
could she doY 1t was vain to think of
getting the cook to alarm their neighbors
at the corner, for the next lot was va
cant, and she must cross the hall, and
go past the stairs to find her. There
would be no use in throwing up the
window and screaming the house was
on Clinton Avenue, far out, and the po-
licemen did not come past very often.
Virginia wrung her hands, when a
sleepy murmur of "Auntiel" startled
her. In second her resolve was taken,
and she was on her knees by Fred, kiss
ing him and saying: Fred, my dar-
ling, Auntie is going to do something
funny. You remember how papa jump
ed you down from the balcony on Christ
mas day to run after the monkey Don't
speak word. Act like man. There!"
Fred was just four 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
corner gaslight,a "a tall figure with gleam
of brass buttons.
Fred" she whispered rapidly, run
fast to that policeman, and tell him he
must come right here to auntie; then go
to Mr.. Motley's, at the corner, and ring
the bell with all your might, 1T is low and
you can reach it-and tell George and
Harry Motley that aunt Virginia says
there is thief in the house. Don't be
afraid, Fred; be man like papa!'
Over; softly, gently over the low rail
ing; and then, with good shake of his
small person, Fred's fat little legs trotted
swiftly off towards the policeman.
Directly, under the balcony, voice
said, softly:
What's wanted, ma am Can you
open the front door for mel"
cannot" she painted; there are
DulSlolo III UiiC llOuoS, anu OC
heard. Couldn't you get up here some
how? Has the little boy gone to the
neighbors ?"
There was no answer to her question
but the policeman easily followed her
suggestion, and climbed over the bal
cony.
"Waitl" whispered Virginia, laying
her cold hand on the policeman's arm,
as he made motion to go forward.
"They are upstairs, in my room, look
ing for my jewels. If you will stand
just behind that door, will creep upthe
back stairs and reconnoitre if the wo-
man comes down to answer the bell,
seize her. There is only one man if 1
want help I will call and then you must
rush up the front stairs"
"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 evident
ly gone into the silver closet, which
stood on the other side of the back stairs
and that now she was between the two
for she could hear Alice walking about
in her room. Quick as flash the little
figure glided up the stairs, slipping off
her boots on the lowest step; there was
no light in the hall, except that afforded
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 it; aspiring
sudden bang, and then the click of the
key in Virginia's nervous fingers, as she
curse came from the captured thief as
she leaned breathlessly against the door.
| The same moment the gaslight behind
her was suddenly turned on, and Alice
confronted Virginia.
"You here, madam ? Well, you and
] are quits, anyhow. Open that door, or
I'll send bullet through your head !
You didn't think of my having the re-
volver did you ?"
"No,' said Virginia, looking in the
girls furious eye with her peculiar calm
smile. Helpl POlicel"
"You may split your pretty throat
Calling" said Alice, seizing her saw
agely by the arm. "No one will come,
the cooks dragged, and you're at our
mercy. Give me the key"
"I'll trouble you for that pistol !" said
a stern voice behind Virginia, as quick
strong arm ierked the weapon away from