The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-02

dropped away with one piteous wall
Of sFather!'
Hurrying stepts advanced, and, in .
moment more, fluttering like fright
ened bird, Efie felt the strong arm OF
her father. about her, and heard his
voice, in tones of thunder, denounce
the burly fellow who had brought all
this fright and trembling upon her.
you thief! to come stealing the
sweetness of my own pure child! You
villain! how dare you? Is it moi
enough that you should darken my
conscience by thrusting your black
thoughts upon me: Is it not enough
that you should have goaded me, and
cowed me almost under you vile feet
without adding this I promised you
my answer should be given you to
night. Take it-forked with the un
quenchable fires of torment-No! No
That is my answeri Tell your bloody
mates-hunt me down-yet I'll ans
were you. No! Now, begoneP
While Mr.. Derham was giving VEN
to his just wrath and indignation, Ned
Crasher's villainous face took on ar
expression still more yilfainOus, and
fiendish CLEANS darted out of hi.
blood. shot eyes, while his tongue
burned with the red-hot oaths that
were coiled around it. But out of his
hot lips came only a hiss, such as 8
serpent gives before the springing,a ,and
then his villainous black eyes fastened
themselves, like dirk, upon the
beautiful face of Ellie Derham, and ht
was gone.
Mr.. Derham, gently laying Eff.
down upon the lounge, until she could
cease her trembling, in shaken voice
said:
This is sorry homecoming fol
my little girl, and I am afraid th'
worst is yet to come, for Tomorrow
the storm bursts, and we will live
l<saew-nor-
What is it, father-What terror i!
upon us2 cried Efiie, while the whit,
lips of the wife tried to break th'
bonds of silence in an appealing, Tel
mer
My wife, my little girl, the line il
on q strike,' exclaimed the father, 'ant
an hour ago, expected to be one o
them, feeling that the safety of home
wife. children, and myself, depended
upon it; but, now, I'd sooner die TO
you, my beloved ones.t clasp hand
with such villains as Ned Crasher ant
his clan.'
At the mention of that name, Eff
shivered and clasped her hands con
vulsively, while her thoughts brok
loose from the reins of the present
and few back into the past and t.
Tom. 1t had been such pleasan
past, and now the horrible presen
seemed enough to choke all the bright
ness out of life. Everything was go
ing wrongl Even Tom had got twist
ed into somebody else, since she lei
home, so she hardly felt it was he
Tom who claimed her; and
Here her thoughts, and the solem
silence about her, were broken in up
on by the entrance of Harry, whoI
Effie had not yet seen.
Sweet little sister, said he, knee
ing and kissing her fondly 'welcom'
welcome homep
How his voice trembled over th
shome, as if he felt it slipping ava
into q dreary waste!
Efie's arms flew out and aroun
him, while the light that deepeDed an
daakened the blue of her eyes told til
gladness that held her tongue. in bono
age.
Father spoke Harry bravel.
things are getting hot. Can you tru'
me with your engine, when you
duty-hour comes? I am afraid yo
may be needed here.'
my dear, n0ble boN I must be o
duty, aud leave you here to prote'
mother and sister. As am afrai
this may be hard night for us "
had best retire and gather strengt
while we may. 1t is strange, thougl
that Tom hasn't been around th
evening. What keeps him away.
wonder7'
Il do answered Effie in q faint Ii
tie voice, Il told him not to come VI
til Tomorrow
Then, with kiss for father, mothe
and Harry, Effie bade them all goo
night
Soon afterward the house was heav
with darkness and silence. And ii
darkness grew deeper, heavier an
blacker with the shadow of s.
which hovered like a demon over tt
rest and quiet of the place, and tt
silence seemed sitting with sense I
coming terror, when down rushed IL
demon and tore the silence into shret
by the shrieks and cries of hums
woe. mingling with yells of such sa'
age triumph, that the air Itself SCENE
dripping with drops of blood.
High above the tumult rang out Il
excited voice of Ned Crasher:
Now give Derham's house warn
ing. Fire on our braye engineer, an
pitch him into birthstone bed, viii
l go in for his jewelsP
Like pack of hungry wolves Il
| ecent WA taken and onward fhf