The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-08-27

I
but there was no moon; the room was
cold and damp and black, and she was
trembling and her heart was throbbing
violently.
She drew herself up and tried to
think, and then sudden faint, soft
sound brought her swiftly to her senses.
Some one was in the room-some one
had come in at the opened window, had
passed her in the darkness without per-
ceiving her, and was cropping way
across the parlor.
She grew calm at once. It was a
burglar, of course; but the house was
full of people, and she had but to let
him go his way and then steal softly
after and arouse some one. He could
not do any harm, and he should not
even escape, with her on his track.
She gathered her black tulle skirts
closely around her, and guided by the
stealthy footsteps which sounded dis
tinct enough to her alert senses, moved
as noiselessly as spirit across the
great room.
AS she approached the hall she hest
tated. She had supposed that the
burglar, if he knew anything about the
house. would make directly for the
buffers pantry, where we're locked stores
OF solid silver. But he was apparently
feeling for the foot of the staircase.
Yes, he gained it and commenced
ascending. IRVINE followed, scarcely
drawing breath lest she should be
discovered. The head of the great stair
case reached, the man CROPPED his way
along the corridor until he came to q
second corridor, where he turned.
Quick as fash it came to IRVINE
that Morgan Ingrah&m's was the room
sought; and then the words required to
her which she had heard, dreamily,
in distant part of the park that after
noon:
Diamonds I should say sol You
see, diamonds can always be disposed Of
to advantage Just take them out of
their setting and there is nothing to be-
tray their former owner, and you can
get full value for them"
| Morgan ingraham wore magnificent
diamonds. His watch was monogrammed
with them, his sleeve-buttons were Of
untold value, and his studs, though
small, were Of the choicest water.
All this passed through her mind
| like the transient but vivid CLEAN of
lightning-and, too, that Morgan's room
opened on balcony, from which any
desperate man could easily jump to the
velvet sward below.
The thought was no sooner framed
than Ervine's satin-slippered feet carried
Ior Nth lie VI
the darkness to Ingraham's door. It
never occurred to her to call any one
now, only to arrest the thief before he
should force his way into his victim
room.
She was not minute too soon. The
man was already fumbling at the door.
IRVINE put out her hand in the dark
ness, and, with some fateful surety,
seized both of his.
The captive gave little, half-smoth-
| cred imprecation of surprise, and made
struggle to free himself; but Ervine's
hands were too strong, and for a mo-
ment she held him fast.
She did not scream, nor could she
tell what it was that smothered her with
great fear, great uncertainty, until
| the man wrested one hand from hel
clasp, and, with unerring aim, caught al
Der throat, demanding, in low, concen-
trated voice:
"Who are you? What are you about %
IRVINE knew the voice. The man, al
the first touch of the fair, white throat,
with bunch of withered roses lying
against the bare breast, recognized the
sex of his opponent.
It was the girl who struggled now
but the mans strong right hand clasped
hers.
"Who are your" he questioned,
again, but in changed voice.
Still IRVINE was mute. Still she strug-
gled to free herself
81 will not let you go, he whispered
"until [ know who you are Until
His hand slipped up Miss Grancy'e
arm, and touched bracelet she wore
tiny line of gold, with crucifix dang
ling from it. No one else in the house
wore such trinket.
Ervine! Miss Grancyl Is it you
Tell me2'
But she would not. Then he sud
denly threw both arms about her, and
drew her close to his breast. Worn ou
by her useless attempts to free herself
Ervine's splendid figure yielded to hi'
embrace. Only her heart throbbed
madly. For moment the two stood
thus in the darkness, the mans pulses
quickening and answering to her beat
ing heart.
81 know you," he said presently
"and I think I have frightened you
Did you take me for burglar?"
"Yes," whispered IRVINE. evil
you please to let me go now"
"No; not until you tell me why yor
ried to capture me"
81 thought, with little constrained
laugh, "you were going to steal you
own diamonds. I heard some strang'
men, who were fishing in distant par
of the park, talking about diamond
this afternoon, and how easy it was t,
sell them"
Ingraham commenced to laugh softly
in the darkness. "Why, it was Jacl
Valdon and I. Jack is an intimat,
friend of mine, and came to see me OF
little business. He only arrived il
the village in the morning, and goe