Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-27
object; and | saw by the same glance tina.
q human ficrllra uas siftinnr In 4


l could not at first make out whether |
1t was man or a woman: only became
conscious, as sat In bewildering, dumb |
terror, that was confronted by strang-
er there in that semi-darkness some
one who had hidden in the room for some
object; and what the object is I well knew.
No person VINO has never been placed
in such terrifying situation as that can
describe the sickening feeling which for
a moment takes possession of the heart;
and can only say for myself that l sat
motionless for time-l knew not how
long-thinking of helpless situation.
There l was locked up in room alone
with ruffian, waiting, trembling, and
and expecting to hear him speak, or be-
come the object Of some violence. For
although, as have said, could not dis
tinguish whether it was man or woman,
| I did not doubt that it was the former
and one of the most desperate of his kind,
And presently, as my eyes fell to the
floor, saw great pair of boots thrust
out upon the carpet within the radius of
thelight.
l do not know how long we sat there
in the semi darkness of the room, facing
each other, but motionless and silent; it
I might have been three minutes or thirty.
/ The thought of alarming Emily suddenly
occurred to me, and | reached out for
the bell-cord. It should have been with
In easy reach of the spot where I sat; but
my hand failed to find it.
A low chuckle came from the occupant
of the old chair.
"That was a clever thought Of yours.
missus," came forth, in deep, rough
voice, and in clever tone of insolence
"Cleyer thought, marin: but bless your
simple soul, do you think I was going to
leave that ERE cord there for you to make
a noise with! Not by no means. It's we'll
to be careful when you're in this kind of
business, marin, and when you left me
alone here before-I then being under the
bed, you see--I crawled out and took a
survey of the place."
My strength was returning. became
treasured, as l saw the man intended nc
| violence to myself.
| "What do you want?" l asked.
he chuckled again and replied:
"Now that's good; you're business
) woman, marin you come right to the point
| without any nonsense. I'm going to tel
[ you what want
He rose from the chair as he spoke, anc
t crossed the room to the bureau, passing
t so close to me that his boots brushed tho
skirt Of my dress. I shuddered ano
drew my char back--I could not hell
betraying my fear.
"Be quiet, marm,' be said. Il don
mean to hurt you, if l can helpit. Keel
still, and won't Let's have look a
5 each other
' He removed the shade, and looked a
). me for full half a minute, as sat in thu
t glare of the lamp. He was large
brawny fellow, full six feet high, ane
y dressed ia an old suit of fustian clothes
d His face was entirely concealed by GRAPE
mask; not feature of it could see, from
n his neck to the crown Of his head. H
; leaned one arm upon the bureau, and re
n garded me attcntively.
S 'You don't know me-" he remarked, il
an ordinary tone. mo, Of course not
c it's best for you that you shouldn't
It thought at first there was something ia
). miliar in your face; but I fancy l wa
e mistaken. Well, to business, marin.
e And he assumed sharp tone, and locke,
carefully at the bureau. give got pis
|, tol here, missus" he slapped hi
e pocket; s'but you're too sensible a woman
II | take it, to make me use it on you.
e want that money. s'There's five hundre
IS pound of it in this drawer; you have tn
IL key-give it to me!'
d handed it to him without word.
o "lll leave you now in minute missus,
,r he said, rapidly inserting the key, turn
ing it, and opening the drawer, sswit
it many thanks for your good behavior.
It this it,"
he took out the package, and held
>. up.
t. 'sThat is the money! I said.
fe "She might deceive me, after ALL
er heard him mutter; and thrusting his for,
y finger into the end of the envelop, h
ripped it open, and pulled the end of IL
If notes out into sight. eyes, here it i
.r Now
le He had thrust the package into h
Or pocket, and was about to close the drawe
d when his eye was caught by somethin
ID within it. He started, thrust his hand mi
id the drawer, and, taking out an object that
n was we'll acquainted with, he bent ov.
lie and scrutinized it, holding it close to IL
/ lamp. How did wish that I could 81
e. the expression Of his face at that momen
as He held in his hand an ivory miniatu
it of my husbands face, a faithful pictur
made by an artist years before, at my r
e. quest,
it, "Whose face is this?" the robber d
e. manded, in voice that trembled vii
re eagerness.
my husbands" replied.
| "Your husbands. Yes, yes-but b
tn nance"
ed "Elijah Croly."
"Captain Croly?" he demanded, in Il
I'd same tone.
G. eyes"
be The same who commanded the barq,
ur Calvert, that used to run out of Live
he poole"
ny nodded my head. I knew that t
mt the vessel named was the last one that n
husband had sailed on the ocean befo
mt he bought his own coaster; in fact
OK was the same in which came to En-
ire land.
s.And this is Captain Croly's none
this is his house?-you are his wife
au, he asked rapidly, giving me no time
he answer his questions. eyes, yes-I see
The all. Great God Ito think what I "