The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-01-27

tried below. knew it was not my
father. I dared not tremble nor grow
faint. Invent through that room and
two others to the garrett stairs. hard
" breathed. heard q window push
up more than one person came IN
lat it. I felt about me in the
dark. There was sliding panel in the
inside of the stairway. ! pushed 1t, and
it rolled back. entered into long
closet under the stairs, and slid the pan
ell carefully into its place. 1 felt eau.
tiously to see if all was safe. pulled
my dress close about me, lest it might
be caught, and the door not closed tight.
Then waited. I heard steps coming
up the stairs. Iheard search through
all the rooms below. Ny heart beat
till l thought each bound must be audi
BILE. / heard wholesome voice, the
Ravens. I 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. It 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. 1 could distinguish the words
that were spoken.
"Drat her! she must have seen you.
emo 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.
heard the steps and voices move
away, dull, crashing sound, and then
stifed. angry tones. 1 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"
s'I'll warrant she's here, and I'll wiring
her neck if she makesa 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 garnet stairs to
hold parley. A spider ran across my
face. A spider puts me in mortal fear.
It was with great effort that I 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 I
don't find the girl So let her look
out!"
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 handy
little headache as he comes in"
"And his wife?"
They spoke low hideous words that
made my flesh creep. I 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. It was horrible there in the
dark. was sitting.
Imoved the panel lightly. No light
entered. slid it softly back. Ny reso-
luton was taken.
1 would get out of the house, run
down the road, and meet my father. I
would save him.
l left the gold in the closet, shut
ting it in close. I stole down the steps
into the chamber below. I knew
there was a window open there. crept
across the room, listening keenly.
I 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 flash betrayed me.
The Ravens voice shrieked, hoarsely,
There she goes! Catch her! Quick!
This way!" t
Out at the front door came the pursu-
ers, hardly ten steps from me.
dashed toward the thick shrubbery
to put them of the track.
Fortunately / knew tho way, every
step of it. They were guided solely by
the sound and Aashing Light.
Shoot her by the next flash !" cried
one. .-s.
NV flying feet struck loose boards.
Twas passing directly over an old,
unused well, very deep, and 1t gave back