The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-04-25

and it will take them long to discover
their mistake"
Opening the window, got out on the
veranda. How fearfully it sloped
Could | do it? Yes, by pressing my
feet against the gutter. Slowly | went,
foot by foot, until ] reached Arthur's
window. My heart leaped as | found
it unfastened. Quickly | entered,
opened and relocked the iron safe, and
with the diamonds, more slowly and
with greater difficulty returned.
Reaching my own room | did not en-
ter, for what could two helpless women
do against strong evil men, bent on
plunder? Instead, | ordered Jane to
tear sheet into threads, having at
tached which to the box, l bade her
lower it to me, after had descended
by the trellis.
She did as | directed, then joining
me, we carrying the box between us,
ran from the house.
We had not gone dozen yards before
the dread of pursuit and having the
diamonds wrested from us, possessed
me.
"Jane," l said, "this will never do.
Let us make for the hollow oak. We
can put the box in that; they'll never
find it before help comes"
fastening in the direction together,
we managed to raise the box high
enough to reach the hole, and L toppled
it in. 1t fell with heavy thud; |
knew it was safe. | then told Jane to
run to Hawthorns, the nearest house,
arouse the people, and bring some of
the male servants back. She wanted
me to 90 with her, but dared not leave
the neighborhood of the tree, lest any
miserable chance should occur of the
burglars finding the treasure. Crouch
among the bushes sOmo yards off, L
bade the girl hasten.
Scarcely had she gone than a noise in
the house attracted my attention. My
flight with the jewels was discovered.
NY heart stood still, and the blood in
every vein turned cold. With jenkins
there were three of them. Through
the darkness | could see they were
beating and searching the bushes.
They had guessed we could not carry
the box far, and evidently were in
hopes of finding it before help come.
Twice, thrice, they approached so
near to where was, that my hair stood
on end. The fourth time it was jenkins
himself knew him, despite his Grape
mask-that drew aside the branches and
discovered me.
With cry / endeavored to fly, but
the burglars instantly secured me.
Hardly can l describe the scene that
followed. 1t makes my flesh now creep
with horror. They looked around for
the box, and not finding it, with awful
oaths and threats bade me say where it
was. My only reply was to shrek
aloud, until they checked me by blows,
and finally by placing a pistol at my
head. l implored mercy; but | re-
mained firm. felt my senses leaving
me; they, too, saw it, and by twisting
my aEms to create exquisite torture,
aroused me. At last one exclaimed,
'It won't do to fire. It'll bring others
upon us. Gag her and take her along
to the lake! ~
TO the lake! What were they going
to do {? Drown me? My brain swan /;
but resolved to remain firm, and save
the diamonds. Reaching the edge of
the water, the villains, taking me by
the shoulders. laid me back in the lake,
pressing my head beneath. My mouth
being gagged / could not cry out,
and never shall | forget the horrible
sensation. Surely l tasted death then
Every few seconds they raised me to
demand the whereabouts of the dia-
monds. i answered by a shake of the
head. How long all this lasted l can
not tell; but abruptly a fearful noise
sounded in my ears-l felt the water
was rolling over me, and was conscious
| no more.
Theimmersionc caused the mostcurious
sensation | ever f~lt in all my life be-
fore became unconscious. My breath
went and came at fitful intervals, and
had a painful sens Of smothering or
sufIocation, which paralyzed my brain
and deadened all power of volition.
could not speak for the life of me,
neither was | able to offer the slightest
resistance to my tormenters.
When | came to was in my own
room. Arthur was near me, and the
first words he said were, "My brave
Nelliel You have saved the Etchin
diamonds. The help Jane brought
arrived just when the ruflians flung
you into the lake; but they are all cap.
tured!" !"
1t was a considerable time before
thoroughly recovered from the nervous
fever that awful night occasioned. One
day Arthur came to me smiling. "See
darling!" he said, "those Williams
brought few threads of silver to ycuI
hair, but--"and he held up a magnifi'
cent bracelet--''they have put gold OIL
your wrists. The Baronet asks you Il
accept this for your bravery In preserv'
ing the Etchin diamonds"
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Strategy of tho Walrus.
| Tho yalrus has n sinsular mode D