Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-08-25

like the transient but vivid CLEAN Of
lightning and, too, that Morgan 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 atin-slippered feet carried
her with few swift bounds through
the darkness to Ingraham's door. II
never occurred to her to call any one
now, only to arrest the thief before he
should force his way into his victims
room.
She was not minute too soon. The
man was already fumbling at the door.
Eryine put out her hand in the dark
ness, and, with some fateful surety,
seized both of his.
The captive gave little, half-smoth-
cred Impression of surprise, and made
struggle to free himself; but Ervine's
hands were too strong, and for mo-
ment she held him fast.
She did not scream, nor could she
tell what it was that smothered her with
great fear, a great uncertainty, until
the man wrested one hand from her
clasp, and, with unerring aim, caught at
her throat, demanding, in low, concen-
trated voice:
"Who are you? What are you about p
Ervine knew the voice. The man, at
the first touch Of the fair, white throat,
with bunch of withered roses lying
against the bare breast, recognized the
sex Of his opponent.
1t was the girl who struggled now,
but the mans strong right hand clasped
hers.
"Who are you r. he questioned,
again, but in changed voice.
Still Ervine was mute. Still she strug-
gled to free herself.
81 will not let you go, whispered.
"until I know who you arel Until
His hand slipped up Miss Grancy'
arm, and touched bracelet she wore,
tiny line Of gold, with crucifx dang
ling from it. No one else in the house
wore such trink ct.
Ervinel Miss Grancyl Is it you
Tell me r.
| But she would not. Then he sud
denly threw both arms about her, and
drew her close to his breast. Worn out
by her useless attempts to free herself,
Ervine's splendid figure yielded to his
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 Ervine. "Will
you please to let me go nowT"
{" No; not until you tell me why You
tried to capture me-"
" 1 thought with little constrained
laugh, you were going to steal your
own diamonds. I heard some strange
men, who were fishing in distant part
of the park, talking about diamonds
this afternoon, and how easy it was to
sell them"
| Ingraham commenced to laugh softly,
In the darkness. ssWhy, it was Jack
Valdon and I. Jack is an intimate
| friend of mine, and came to see me on
little business. He only arrived in
the village in the morning, and goes
away this morning, SO could not per
suade him to CONS up here. But we
went fishing together in the afternoon,
and after dancing last evening went to
the hotel and played cards with him
until quite late Coming home it had
grown quite cloudy, and in the park ]
lost my way. When I found the house
all was darkness and stiffness, / went
round to the rose terrace, and thought
would sit on the balcony until some
of the servants were up, rather thar
rouse the house. There, to my surprise
found window open, and SO con
cluded to try to find my room, though
unfortunately, ! had no matches will
me. Where were you ?"
Asleep in chair by the window yor
entered. ] must have awakened by the
time you were half across the parlor."
And how wasit you called no one 2
81 expected you would go directly te
the buffers pantry and / could run w
the stairs and arouse the house. In
stead of that you went up the stairs
too"
Again Ingraham laughed softly.
/" Yes, to steal my own diamonds,
he said.
Whose diamonds were you talking
about q demanded Ervlne.
about Miss Shorts. | was de
scr1blng her to Jack. He thought ht
had seen her In the village, and 1 asked
Il she wore blue dress and great ARA.
OF diamonds.
Well ! have made great goose o
myself, said Erylne, with disgust in he
tones:
And then she Strengthened herself
suddenly remembering that she had
peen standing all this time with In
granams arm about her.
/ Don't say that, retorted her com
panlon, without loosenlng his clasp
Il am glad it has all happened; and
don't mean to let you go yet; for, per
haps, here IN the darkness | shall have