The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-16

sattired in the latest style. and wore {
large pin aud many rings; but hi
friend was, it is to be confessed, rather
shabby, and not over clean.
Miss ANY, said Theodore, with an
air, This is my friend Adolphus. A
fine fellow, but under q cloud just
now. His grandfather, the earl, won't
pay his club debts. However, he'll
come round after while. This is
Miss Kitty. Dolph.'
Dolph made a bow, and backed
against the wall.
'Come in,' said Amy, Every one is
out Oh! isn't this loyely2'
Heavenly said Theodore, looking
at the bronze ornaments on the man.
tie and letting his gazs rove to small
ornaments. So you are alone, eh
how delicious! 1 say, this is q fine
place. Not so fine as we are used to
at home, but pretty good for America.
Your father must be we'll off, Miss
Amy?
Yea said Amy, believe he is.
Lots Of silver, and all that7' said
the nobleman. You ought to see the
plate at-at the CASTLE
Yes said Amy. 'The silver is all
up stairs now, though. Ma locks it
up when she goes out. There's a
great closet between the rooms above.
She keeps her jewelry there. 1t is
quite nice place, for burglars would
not be apt to find the door if they
didn't know 1t. 1t slides in, you
know. Pa says it is better than a safe.
why, it must be- said Theodore !;
how ingenious! There, sit bowman
let us chat, or suppose you play for
US.
I'D rather talk said Amy, sentl-
mentally.
Meanwhile Kitty was growing very
miserable. The person introduced as
Adolphus was awkward and said very
little. He was not handsome like
Theodore, and he smelt Of tobacco and
whiskey. His grandfather, the earl,
must have been angry with him for
some time, she thought. She began
to wish that something would happen
to break up the party, that they would
ut least go. Neither of them were
gentlemen, she felt assured. They
stared around them oddly. Theodore
arose and dropped the silk curtains
over the windows. The men exchang-
ed glances. Could not Amy see that
is wrong?
At that moment Theodore pushed
the door quite shut, and returned to
Amy's aide. As he did so he put
his hand into his pocket and took out
a SPONGE
'Curious, isn't it? he said l think
a sponge is such a curious object. See
the little cells.'
I've got one, too,' said Adolrhus,
Have you ever seen such q
big one p
1t is large said Amy.
Kitty, who had been expecting some
love making, and was disappointed,
only curled her lip; but the next mo-
ment both girls sat staring speechless.
ly at each other, each with a great
sponge thrust in her mouth.
tie her to q chair, Dolph,' cried
rapidly binding Amy's
arms and ankles with q cord he took
from his pocket. 'Now, young ladies
you are not going to be hurt. Well
just help ourselves to the pretty things
of value that can be carried off easily
and get the silver out of the sliding
closet above, and be off. Don't try
to scream-you can't. And don't
kick-youIl only hurt yourselves.
Day-day.
Away they went up the softly car
peted stairs. Amy heard the sound
of opening drawers and doors over
head. Kitty thought she even heard
the clink of silver. But they could
neither move nor cry out. In q few
moments the two thieves accomplish
ed their purpose and descended the
stairs again, each with a bundle on
his back.
Good evening, young ladies, said
We're sorry we must go,
but pa might come home unexpected
ly. By-by.'
They were off. The door changed
shut. The servants at their little sup
per knew nothing, and the two girls
nearly suffocated. Their slender wrists
cut by the cords that bound them, re-
mained fastened to their chairs.
Glad were they when tho, good-hu-
mored voice of Miss Hess was heard
some one goodnight on the
door step, and when, bustling into the
house, she threw up her hands with
of horror, called for
help, and as soon as possible dragged
the sponges from their mouths, cut the
cords that bound them, and asked for
tho terrible story, which, with many
tears and sobs, Amy told truthfully.
There had been heavy robbery
silver aud jewelry were gone.
Vainly papa strode the floor, scolding
his daughter and bewailing his ducats.
never thought English noblemen
could do such things,' sighed Amy,
Nobody could think that, papa
English noblemen = laughed the de-
tective, who had appeared upon the
scene. 'They were two English
thieves, Mics, and this is their regular
dOdge-making love to young ladies
and getting let in. 1t has to be the