Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-12-27

her. In a second her resolve was taken,
and she was on her knees by Fred,
kissing him and saying Fred, my
darling, auntie is going to do something
funny. You remember how papa jumped
you down from the balcony on Christ
mas day to run after the monkey
I'm going to jump you down now.
Don't speak a word. Act like a man.
There |"
Fred was just four years old, but a
great boy of his age, and he always
obeyed Virginia 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, carefully, she saw, under
the corner gaslight, tall figure with a
CLEAN of brass buttons.
=" Fred" she whispered rapidly, run
fast to that policeman, and tell him he
must come right here to auntie, then
go to Mr.. Motley's, at the corner, and
ring the bell with all your might-it is
low, and you can reach it and tell George
and Harry Motley that Aunt Virginia
says there is thief in the house. Don't
be afraid, Fred; be man like papa2"
Over; softly, gently, over the low rail-
ing, and then, with good shake of his
small person, Fred's little legs trotted
swiftly off toward that policeman.
Directly, under the balcony, voice
said, softly:
"What's wanted ma'am2 Gan you
open the front door for me?"
81 cannot" she painted I" "there are
burglars in the house, and I should be
heard. Couldn't you get up here some
how? Has the little boy gone to the
neighbors?"
There was no answer to her question,
but the policeman easily followed her
suggestion, and climbed up over the
balcony.
"Waitl" whispered Virginia, laying
her cold hand on the policeman's arm, as
he made motion to go forward. "They
are upstairs, in my room, looking for
my jewels. If you will stand just be-
hind that door, 1 will creep up the back
stairs, and reconnoiter if the woman
comes down to answer the bell, seize
her. There is only one man if I want
help will call, and then you must rush
up the front stairs"
care you not afraid?" asked the
policeman, with some surprise but
Virginia was gone before he had finish
ed his remark.
When she reached the stairs, she fonnd
that the man had evidently gone into the
silver closet, which stood on the other
side of the back stairs, and that now she
was between the two-for she could
hear Alice walking about in her room.
Quick as a flash the little figure glided
up the stairs, slipping off her boots on
the lowest step. There was no light in
the hall, except that afforded by the
burglars lantern, for the gas was turned
down low, and the lantern set inside the
closet door. The door opened outward,
and the key was in it spring, sud
den bang, and then the click of the key
in Virginia's nervous fingers, as she
turned it in the lock. A tremendous
curse came from the captured thief, as
she leaned breathlessly against the door.
The same moment the gaslight behind
her was suddenly turned on, and Alice
confronted Virginia.
"You here, madam? Well, you and
I are quits, anyhow. Open that door,
or I'll send bullet through your head.
You didn't think of my having the re-
volver, did you?"
"No," said Virginia, looking in the
girls furious eye with her peculiarly
calm smile. "Help Police I"
You may split your pretty throat
calling" said Alice, seizing her savage
ly by the arm. "No one will come; the
cook is drugged, and you're at our
mercy. Give me the key !"
"L'll trouble you for that pistol ?"
said stern voice behind Virginia, as q
quick strong arm jerked the weapon
away from Alice.
Alice, with shrek, fell on the floor,
for she realized all at once. But Vir-
ginia, gasping, "Ah, my God II gazed
as if turned to stone, for it was Langley
Temple that she saw.
Virginia don't be terrified" he
said, cit is my very self, no ghost.
Take my hand, love; see, it is flesh and
blood, like your own." He had her in
his arms. The door-bell was ringing
furiously, but he would have let the
neighbors pull the wire till it broke,
before he would have left her in that
dumb, shocked state. As he touched
her, she trembled violently; then the
light came back to her eyes, and with a
sob of Joy. Virginia flung herself on the
breast OF him whom she had mourned as
dead.
The Motleys had time to think that
Virginia was murdered before the pair
opened the door. Very much surprised
were they to see, instead of the police
man they expected to find, a very
tall, handsome man, a stranger, in navy
uniform. Fred, now that his part of the
fun was over, began to roar, and Vir-
ginia took him up in her arms, while the
four gentlemen (assisted by the real
Simon.pu policeman, brawny son of
Erin) opened the closet and secured
the prisoner. Within the next fifteen
minutes the other servants had returned
Qor the burglary took place before
eleven o'clock, and Alice, having recov-
cred from her swoon, was carried to the
station-house.
/ don't know how Langley and Vir-
ginia were occupied till my return, but
when Frank thrust his latch key into
the door, Virginia flew out of the library
and tried, with a few incoherent SEN
tences, to prepare me for seeing some
thing. The consequence was that, when
/ pushed the door open in very bewil-
dered frame of mind, and saw Langley
smiling at me, was terrified almost out
of my senses, and came near fainting.
To the best of my recollection, the
household sat up nearly all night. though
finally, after / had heard the whole
story, been speechless over Virginia. s
bravery, and Rugged Fred, now fast
asleep in the arm chair, Frank dragged
me off to bed.
don't know that Langley and vir-