Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1879-01-30

| Gracious powers F! | exclaimed; they
are after the diamonds !
I saw it all. The groom's errand
had been OWNED my brothers abb
sence was known, and, by Jenkins
treacherous aid, the place was being
attacked. l dropped stunned on the
bed. Then l started up.
At any cost-even life-the dia-
monds entrusted to ArtAur's care
must be saved. Hurriedly l dressed,
and while doing so | heard the soft
sound Of persons moving in the house.
Jane l said, having explained all
to the faithful girl, I must get Sir
Etcnin's diamonds
'1ow, miss? If you 60 into the
passage, they will murder YOU
True therefore | must get cut by
the window. They will not hear me-
for they believe the box is in the study
and it will take them long to discov-
er their mistake.
Opening the wiadow I got out on
the veranda. How fearfully it sloped
Could | do its Yes by pressing my
feet against the gutter. Slowly |
went, foot by foot, until | reached
Arthur's window. My heart leaped
as found it unfastened. Quickly |
entered, opened aad relocked the iron
safe, and with the diamonds more
slowly and with greater difficulty re-
turned.
Reaching my own room | did not
enter; for what could two heI plcss wo-
men do against strong, evil men, beat
on plunder? Indeed, | ordered Jane to
tear sheet into threads, having at
tached which to the box, ! babe her to
lower it to me, after | had de ,cended
by the trellis.
She did as | directed, then joined
me. We carried the box between as
We ran from the house.
We had not gone over a dozen
yards before the dread of pursuit and
having the diamonds wrested from US
possessed me.
Jane, said |, this will never DO
Let us make for the hollow oak. We
can put the box in that; they'll new
" find it before heI p comes
Uastcaing in the direction together
We managed to raise the box high
enough to reach the h Die, and toppled
it IN. 1t fell with a heavy thnl.
knew it was safe | then told Jane
to run to HAWTHORNE the nearest
house, arouse the people, and bring
some Of the male servants back. She
wanted me to 90 with her, but |
dared not leave the neighborhood of
the tree, lest any miserable chance
should occur Of the burglars finding
the treasure. Crouching among the
bushes some yards off, | babe her hast
en-.
Scarcely had she gone than a noise
in the house attracted my attention.
My flight with the jewels was discov-
cred. My heart stood still and the
blood in every vein turned cold
With Jenkins, ttere were three Of
them. Through the darkness | could
see that they were beating and search
ing the bushes. They had guessed
we would not carry the box far, and
evidently were in hopes OF finding it
before help came.
Twice, thrice they approached SO
near to where | was hid that my hair
stood on an end The fourth time it
was Jenkins himself-I knew him,
despite his Grape mask-that drew
aside the branches and discovered
me. With a cry | endeavored to fly
but the burglars instntly secured
me. Hardly can | describe the scene
that followed. 1t makes nv flesh
creep with terrcr now. They looked
around for the box, and not finding it,
with awful threats and oaths, bade
me say where it was My only reply
was to shrek aloud until thev
checked me by blows, and finally by
placing a revolver at my head. l i'm
plored mercy but remained firm.
felt my senses leaving me- they too
saw it, and by twisting my arms to
create exquisite torture aroused me-
At last one exclaiy1ed
1T wont do to fire. It'll bring 9TH
ers upon us. Gag her and take Ler to