The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-21

oiiS ehio ID NY lIleuu huolpnuS. line
fellow, but under cloud Just now. His
grandfather, the Earl, won't pay his club
debts. However, he'll come round after a
while. This is bliss Kitty, Dolph."
Dolph made bow, and backed against
the wall
''Come In, said Amy. "Every one IS
out. Oil isn't this lovely %
'Heavenlyl" said Theodore, looking at
the bronze ornaments on the mantel and
letting his gaze rove to small ornaments.
''So you are alone, eh7 How delicious
say, this is fine place. Not so fine rs we
ere used to at home, but pretty good for
America Your father must be well Off,
Miss Amy2"
eyes" said Amy, "I believe he is.''
"Lots of silver, and all that ?" said the
nobleman. "You ought TO SEQ the plate
at-at the CASTLE"
eyes," said Amy. "The silver is all
up stairs now, though. Ma locks it up
when she goes out. There's a great closet
between the rooms above. She keeps her
jewclry there. 1t is quite nice place,
for burglars wouldn't be apt to find the
door if they didn't know it. 1t slides in,
you know. Pa says it is better than a
safe"
"Why, 1t must be-" said Theodore;
Chow ingenious There SIT down, and lot
lis chat; or suppose you play for us"
"l'd rather talk" said Amy, sentiment
ally.
Meanwhile Kitty was growing very mis-
cradle. The person introduced as Adol.
phus was awkward and said little. lie
was not handsome like Theodore, and he
smelt of tobacco and whisky. His grand
father, the Earl, must have been angry
with him for some time she thought. She
began to wish that something would hap.
pen to break up the party, that they would
at least 90. Neither Of them were gentle
man, she folt assured. They stared around
them oddly. Theodore arose and dropped
the silk curtains over the windows. The
mon exchanged glances, Could not Amy
see that something was wrong2
At that moment Theodore pushed the
door into the hall quite shut, and returne d
to Amy's side. AS ho did so he put his
hand into hlspockel and took out sponge.
".Cur Gus, isn't itr" he said. 81 think
a sponge is such curious object. See the
little cells.
''I'vo got one, too" SAID Adolphus
huskily. "Have you ever seen such big
one2"
"It Is large" said Amy.
Kitty, who had been expecting somo
love- making, and was disappointed, only
curlcd her lip; but the next moment both
girls sat staring speechlessly at each other,
each with great sponge thrust into their
mouths.
''Tie her to chair, Dolph, "cried Theo.
dore, rapidly binding Amy's arp1s and
ankles with a cord he took from his pocket.
':Now, young ladies, you are not going to
be hurt. Well just help ours Ives to the
pretty things Of value that can be carried
off easy, and get the silver out of the slid
ing closet above, and be off. Dont't try to
scream-you can't. And don't kick-you'l
only hurt yourselves. Day-day."
Away they went up the softly carpeted
staircase. Amy heard the sound Of open.
ing drawers aid doors overhead Kitty
thought she even heard the clink Of silver.
But they could neither movo nor cry out.
In few mo.nen'e the two thieves accomp-
lished their purpoye and descended the
stairs again, each with bundle on his
back.
"Good evening, young ladies'" said
Theodore. "We're sorry we must 60, but
pa might como home unexpectedly. By
by"
They were of. The door changed shut.
The servants at their little supper knew
focated. Their slehdcr wrists, cut by the
cords that bound them, remained fastened
to their chairs.
Glad were they when the good. .hu mored
voice of Miss Hess was heard bidding some
one good night on the doorstep, and when,
bustling into the house, she threw up her
hands with exclamations of horror, called
for help, and as soon as possible dragged
the sponges from the mouths, cut tho cords
that bound them, and asked for the terri
bic story, which, with many tears and sobs,
Amy told truthfully.
There had been heavy robbery-money,
silver and Jewclry were gone. -Vainly
papa strobe tho floor, scoldlng his dauyht-
or and bewailing his ''ducata.'
81 never thought English noblemen
could do such things" sighed Amy. ''No-
boIy could think that, papa"
"English noblemcn |" laughed tho do
tectlve, who had appeared upon the scene.
"Irhey were two English thieves, Miss, and
this is their regular dodge-making love to
young ladies and then get ing lot in. 1t
has to be the servants in England, but tho
American young ladies are such flirts, and
so easily taken in, they've changed their
plans"
"I, at least, will not be 80 easily taken
in again, and shall flirt no more" said