Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-04-17
DOWN in A CELLAR.

old oak in front Of the house groan-
cd dismallY. The gates were burst
open, and slammed to and fro in
cessantly.
Flora and 1 covered together in
the parlor, mere and more frighten-
cd as the hours went by. Our house
was lone country mansion, several
miles from the country tcwn, aud
we were quite alone, all the family
including even the servants, having
gone to the country fair, and in
tending to stay till morning.
'I never heard such strange
sounds" said. 'Surely that was
somebody on the stoop just now."
Nonsense" cried Flora, looking
around nervously, however.
SIT was only two nights ago." 1
replied, ''that Mr.. Browns house
was robbed" They do say, and
here my voice fell to a whisper,
"that All organized band of thieves
is going around, and roNbing whom
they CAM
"Mercy ~ cried Flora, turning
deadly pale, suppose they come
here. What's TO be done! Hadn't
we better 60 over to cousin Bell's?"
"What at this time of night !!
-Nothir & would tempt me-"
This is a punishment for refus-
/ ing cousin Sam" said Flora. "If
, you had only behaved nationally, we
{, could have one of the servants from
! Elmwood to stay with US. But |
suppose cousin Belle is so angry at
r the way in which you have treated
ter son, that she will never speak
ITO us again"
had no reply to make. / al
ready, in my heart, regret ted the
coquetry which had made me refuse
= cousin Sam but was too proud to
admit it to anybody but myself.
To turn the conversation, and en-
deavor to inspire Flora, as well as
myself, with courage, went to the
piano. But before I could strike d
note my attention was arrested by a
grating sound that seemed to come
from under the floor.
glanced at Flora. She was
trembling from head to foot.
''Oh, Rose" she whispered,
''some one is getting into the cellar.
XEe shall all be murdered," and she
wrung her hands helplessly.
We both listened. But heard
nothing but the beating of my heart.
was moi naturally a coward, and
lily resolution was taken at once.
':Flora," whispe red. ''you bang
away on the piano, so that If there
is any one below the stairs he will
not suspect that we have heard him.
I will 20 aud listen at the cellar
daeg.''
7 went through the long dark en-.
try, to all outward appearances
brave enough, but expecting at eve
~ step o be knocked on the mead
At last I re lched the kitchen. Put
ting one car to the trap door, that
led into the cell ar, listened. But
] heard only F lora playing ON the
piano, the gat te banging and slam
ming, and the old oak creaking in
the gale, and knocking with its
branches against the house.
"What towards we are after all, .
J said to myself, boldly raising TIE
trap door, and peering down into
toe cellar.
I could see nothing, bnt the ail
smelt of rain.
Zone of the windows must be
open, nI said. 81 hear the rain
lashing in. That explains the queer
noise"
I descended The stairs, intending
70 shut the window. Gradually my
eyes became more and more accus-
toned TO the darkness. When [
reached the bottom Of the steps
turned round 10 look for the win
dow. Great heavens! 1t was not
there
My heart st0pped beating.
ciung to the cellar steps. AS
looked, the wv indow Te-apPeared,
now plainly wide open. / stood
staring ut the patch Of faint, gray
light, fol- a full minute, then laugh
Ing silently at my fears, and per-
saading myself that the shutters
hai biJxl opsa again. I advanced.
intending to fasten the shutters Sc
surely. [ hal gone more than hall
way across tlie cellar, following the
wall, when ths wind )v wa3 obscure
again. and grutf voice cried,
III 80 lcli fell ~ 4 y Vni = Al