Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-12-20

The robbers were trapped. Greatly ex
cited, / seized the rope of the alarm anc
pulled il. 1t came down upor
my head. covering me with dust
Ii had been partially cut through
and a touch severed it. But one single
stroke, nevertheless, was given by my
frenzied strength on the great bell-ont
awful boom sounded on the night air.
Then rushed from my hiding place and
from the room. locked the door outside
and went to Aunt Helen. who was sitting
up in bed, pale and trembling. She had
heard the one stroke on the alarm, and
thought | had been murdered ere | could
sound it again. She clasped me in her
arms weeping, and murmured thanksgiv-
ings when she heard what had done.
''They cannot get out, my love-" she
said; ''it is impossible
left her after awhile, and returned to
the drawing room in order to see if any
one would answer that one stroke of the
alarm. A foolish hope it seemed; yet
wrapped in large shawl, | sat at the
open window and looked eagerly down
the avenue. At length a sound struck on
my ear-the gallop of horses; and soon
after saw two riders, distinctly defined
against the snow, approaching the hall
door. | leaned out and cried, "Who
comes there ?'' and uttered a
glad cry when Mr.. Denham's voice an
swered.
| ran down, and with eager trembling
fingers, unfastened the door and admitted
him. He grasped both my extended
hands and exclaimed
THANK heaven that you are safe Oh,
Lottie, have had such terrible shock
Why did the alarm stop?'
1.-The rope was cut and fell upon my
head | said, laughing Historically; and
then led him up stairs and told all that
had happened, his man meantime hold
ing his horse at the door.
| felt quite abashed-he praised my
courage and presence Of mind so much
and learned then and there for the first
time that Cecil Denham loved me. lie
explained that the snow had delayed his
return the road having to be cleared. but
he arrived in the course OF the evening
his housekeeper, however, forgot to give
him my note till just AS he was going to
bed. As soon as he read it he gave or
ders for his horse to be saddled and for
his man to accompany him. They had
ridden off at once, and had reused the vii
lage and hidden some of the men and po-
lcemen to follow them; then they hurried
on. Mr.. Denham had been greatly
alarmed at that one sullen boom of the
alarm he feared that further ringing had
been stopped by violence.
When we had thus mutually explained
matters, Mr.. Denham thought he had bet
ter see if the robbers had any accomplices
in the house, and bade me 90 and an
nounce his arrival to Aunt Helen Mean
time he and his servant searched the house
No one was found in it except the maid
of all work and the butler, both Of whom
were locked in their several rooms and
were therefore apparently innocent of the
intended robbery; indeed, old Wheeler
was sextremelyill. He had fit the maid said
caused by sudden shock. Mrs. Wheeler
had told her. and was unable to move
In the stable yard they found horse and
cart tethered, probably awaiting the re-
turn of the thieves with their booty.
BY the time this search was concluded
the rural police and some men from the
village arrived but it was thought best,
as the convicts were known to be desper-
ate characters, to keep them in the safe
custody of the spring till daylight.
Ben Hill. the bell-hanger, was amongst
our friends who came to help, and was
very indignant at finding he had been per-
sonated. The policemen informed us that
VIII Wheeler was out on ticket of leave,
and that the bell-hanger was probably a
''pal'' of his. and had come down from
London for the job.
When day had fully dawned, the police,
assisted by Mrs. Keith, opened the closet
door, and terrible spectacle presented it.
self. Mrs. Wheeler and the two men lay
on the floor in heap, unconscious. Then
first we understood why their shouts an;,
cries had ceased. There was no ventila-
ton in the closet, and they had consumed
the air. They were removed at once but
the old woman was past mortal aid-she
was dead
The men were restored by the wise
means used under Mr.. Denham's directions
and by the time medical aid came had re-
covered consciousness They were taken
away to Jail, viii Wheeler afterward con-
fessed that he had induced his motherto con-
sent to the robbery of Mrs Kieth boards,
on condition that no harm be done to the
old lady-though, if any alarm had been
given, that promise would not have been
Kept. The bell-hanger's fourth wire had
admitted them silently into the bedroom
how decline to explain-and their APP
proach was noiseless because their feet
were covered with felt.
was dreadfuily shocked at having, by
shutting the door, caused Mrs Wheeler's
death; but Mr.. Denham consoed me by
reminding that it was the policemen and
himself keeping them in the closet till day
light, and not by my action, that the catas-
trophe had occurred.
have little more to add. The burg
lars had long term of penal servitude
imposed upon them. Wheeler survived
his wife only few days and they were
buried together.
Mr.. Denham took occasion, from the
crime and misery which the knowledge of
her boards had caused, to lecture Aunt
Helen on the sin of avarice and the love of
money, and she took his rebuke meeklv.
1t has borne good fruit. She has now an
establishment befitting her wealth and sta
ton, and has learned that riches are of no
value except as means Of doing good and
benefitting others.
am now the rector's wife and my aunt's
declared heiress, on condition that we shall
live with her at Boarhunt. Ny husband
has consented, as his poor people are with
in walk The old house has haan 20