The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-09-29


into the garden. The sound was outside
the window, and Lima paused to listen.
The iirst word that caught her ear
startled her.
"a thousand pounds, and all the old
woman's jewelry and PLATED" said a
mans voice, in husky undertone.
''Yes, was the reply, in a woman's
yoice-the voice, Lima knew, of Par
kins, Mrs, Harrington's model, soft
voiced lady-like nurse; 'and there
Won't. oe any trouble about it, because
have let the women go away TO stay
all night, and sent the gardener on a
FOOLS errand to misses brothers, TWEEN
ty miles Of"
But this girl that came tonight
what about her?,' asked the man.
80 ''Dh, she "ill 90 to her home pres
emily, and stay there if she is wise,
She'd be no hindrance, anyway silly,
timid little thing. But It's as we'll to
let her get out Of the way" said Par
kins, coolly.
But see here, Molly, why not do it
nowP Then we'll have more time to
get away before daylight" said the
man.
II tell you it's not safe before II
o'clock" Parkins said positively. "Peo-
pie may come in. Sir Robert don't like
her out of his sight for long, and that
idiotic young Marsden may come moon
ing in. Wait till half-past II, and the
west door here will be open. And,
Jim, look here, when you get this Swag,
you arc to take me with you-your wife,
mind"
The voices grew fainter. Evidently
the speakers were moving away from
the house. But Lima had heard enough.
Sick with terror she leaned against the
| pantry wall moment, and tried to
think What did it all mean? Robbery,
murder And no help near. Her first
instinct was to fly out of the house and
across the field to the hall. But her
absence would be instantly discovered.
she knew, and then poor Aunt Mar
| garet would be alone with these wretches.
No, she must not go-but to stand here
idle would do no good She flew like a
bird along the halls and up stairs, Leo
pacing by her side. At Aunt Margaret's
door she paused, and sudden thought
came TO her She would send Leo home
for help.
Where is the spoon, child? How
long YOU stayed. Good heavens. what
is the matterP" cried the old lady, as
she saw the girls terrified face. Lima
began some evasive answer, but instant
ly remembered that Aunt Margaret
must be told the whole story, or nothing
could be done 10 save her, She did tell
it, and Aunt Margaret listened in silent
CONSERVATION, and then burst out i'm
petuously with:
Good heavens, child. Why don't
you run right homeP'
Because | knew Parkins would be
up here in few minutes and find was
gone, and then
"Ah, we'll So you stayed to save the
old woman if you could. What are you
doing, child? Why don't you lock the
door and pile things against it? Good
God if was just able to rise out of thi:
bedr'
But Lima did not speak for moment
She bad found pencil and paper anC
was rapidly writing few words. Wher
she had finished
Now" she said, when Parkin
comes tell her ! am to sleep on he
couch here in your room, and she mus
90 somewhere else. Twill be back in {
moment Leon'
Ont of the room she darted, and down
to the hall door, which she unbarreC
and passed through Then, kneeling il
the shadow of pillar on the portco
she tied the note tightly in her hand
kerchief round Leo's neck.
She put her arms round his neck af
ter that, kissed his forehead, and half
sob escaped her.
"Is that you, miss9" said a smooth
voice from the hall. why, whateve
are you doing in the dark there?"
Lima sprang up as if she had beef
shot.
II am sending the dog home sh'
said, speaking quietly, though th'
throbs of her heart shook her who'll
frame "He is restless here without hi
master Go home, Leo--straight home
sir"
The dog, with one farewell lick OF he
hand, bounded down the steps and van
ished in the dewy darkness of the Sum
mer night
"Oh, God let him GO safely ant
swiftlyr prayed the girl in her heart
Then she went in and helped Parkin
bar the door, and they went togethe
upstairs.
Aunt Margaret lay very quietly o
her pillow, but with her black eye
cleaning.
"Parkins," she said, steadily, as the
entered, Miss Leigh is kind enough t
offer to stay with me here tonight. Sh
, will sleep on your couch, and you, m
| poor soul, can go and get a good night
rest in another room"
; Parkns was silent for one instan
and then began series of smooth, y,
| hte expostulations which no one woul
heed, and finally the civil nurse pre-
pared the couch for Lima and took hel
, self Off observing sweetly:
IF Miss Leigh will leave the doc
l aiar can hear call from this room
and will come instantly
Thanks, Parkins, but hope sha
> not have to call YOU" said Lima, speak
I ing as sweet rs Parkins herself.
Then as she glded to the door as 500
rs it was closed, she turned with u fac
I of dismay, and whispered
| "The kew is pOnpl She took IL Whe