The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-03-24
many privileges. Virginia, alone did not
seem to like her. Virginia had a curious

| had sort OF mesmerism in IL, all the
stranger because her eyes we're so gentle
and soft. Alice never met the look fairly
as | remembered alerward.
1t was in the spring Of '65. The clos
ing scenes of the war crowding thick and
fast upon each other. Virginia kept her
room good deal. Tho warm Apri
weather seemed to eneryate her, and she
shrank away from the joy and enthusiasm
We all exhibited. Poor child 1t was
hard for her to hear of the soldiers aud sail
ors who would be coming home now, and "a
feel that for her sore peace would bring
no balm
One night Frank had taken a box al
the Italian opera in New York. We lived
in Brooklyn, and, as Kellogg was to sing
begged Virginia to 60 with us. But
she steadily declineds She would stay at
home and keep house, she said. Now
two Of my servants were at fireman's ball
that night, leaving only Alice and the
cook at hoLe SO | must say | felt rather
more easy about the children when | found
that Virginia would not 60. Going from
New York to Brooklyn at night, however
is long journey, and it was close upon l
O'Clock when we drove up to our door.
In the meantime, Virginia, after our
departure, had sat for some time writing
letters in her own room. The twins were
having noisy romp in the nursery and,
when size looked in to say good might,
Fred fastened himself upon her neck, and
begged to come and stay with Auntie /; she
yielded, and then Fred began building
card-houses, on the sofa until he got tired
when he curled himself in a corner, and
in two seconds was fast asleep. Being
very much interested in her book, Virginia
left the little fellew sleep on, thinking that
by-and-by she would take him up to her
room and put him to bed there, as she
frequently did. At last she fell asleep
herself
She never knew how long she slept, but
had a painful, nightmare sensation, as il
somebody was trying to smother her, and
after struggling with the feeling for some.
time, she slowly, and with great effort,
opened her eyes. Why what has hap.
pened TO the room? The gas must have
gone QUIT was totally dark, save a flick
ering gleam from the dying fire on the
hearth and what sickening, deadly
smell there was With alightning rapid.
ty which is more like instinct than
thought, it suddenly flashed upon her
what the strange smell was-chloroform
Then as she caught her frightened breath,
and sank back into her chair, low sound
Of voices from the dining-room reached
her ear. The door between the rooms was
ajar, and she saw a thread of light from il
the voice she heard was a mans;
Yc didn't give the young oman too
much o that stuff did YEP" it asked, rath,
er anxiously.
| wish | had, returned Alice's low
aud stealthy voice al hate her she sus.
poets me,
Ha hal gurgled the man, "she must
ha been mighty oncivil to ye ye usually
gets on the right side of EN-. Is that
ere pitcher silver or plate ?"
Plate-the silver is up stairs" Vir,
giuia 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.
"Hush you'll wake the child, aud | do
not want to do him any harm, Mr.. Lang.
ley'-the woman voice soitoned-"n
said dozen words to me in his life but
look you, Vincent, fairly worshiped
him"
That's right-tell me alias | am
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. Gomez"
As soon as the sound of their footsteps
died away, Virginia snatched the deadly
handkerchief off her head, and staggered
to her feet, though dizzily. She was a
very spirited girl, and determined that
the pair should not escape. But what
could she do2 1t was vain to think of
getting the cook to alarm the neighbors at
the corner, for the next lot was vacant,
and she must cross the hall and 20 past
the stairs to find her. There would be no
use in throwing up the window and scream
ing-the house was on Clinton Avenue,
quite far ont, and the policeman on the
beat did not come past very often.
Virginia wrung her hands, when u
sleepy murmur Of "Auntie y startled her.
In second her resolve was taken, and
she was on her knees by Fred, kissing him
and whispering in his ear.
Fred, my darling, Auntie is going to
do something funny. You remember how
Pa jumped you down from the balcony on
Christmas day to run after the monkey
| am going to jump you down now. Don't
speak word now Act like a man.
There, now !"
Fred was just four years old, but great
boy for his age, and he always obeyed Vir-
ginia 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 care
fully, she saw, under the gas light at the
corner, tall figure with the CLEAN of
brass buttons. .....
Fred" she whispered rapidly, "run
to that policeman and tell him to como
right here to Auntie. Then to Mr.. Mot
ley's, at the corner, and ring the bell with
Ill Ia = ..