The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-06-14


had only made an exception in our |
favor. Furthermore, we must make up |
our minds to dispense with light, as
every one went away but the guard, and
the place must be left in darkness.
This was appalling, to be locked up
for four hours in 8 pitch-dark room;
but there was apparently no other alter
native,
At last, by a judicious fee, I prevailed
upon the man to allow us to bolt one
door on the inside, 80 that we would
not feel quite in durance vile.
The clock struck, and the porter, hur-
rying us into the dreary little den, went
away with his light before we could get
more than glimpse of our surround
ings.
"It ia a consolation to know that the
guard is on duty outside" / said,
trying to sti6e sigh.
"Perhaps we are not alone in this
dreadful place, after all" said Lefty,
stumbling over a chair; "and some one
may Jump at us out OF the darkness"
At this cheerful suggestion l be-
thought me of some wax matches in my
satchel, and lighted one, shielding its
|
tion outside.
We hastily explored our prison-a
tall iron stove, table, some cane chairs
and two long benches with hard leather
cushions, none of them inviting repose;
but of other living presence than our
own there was no trace.
Pillowed upon our waterproofs and
each other, we tried to snatch an hours
sleep, but /, at least, became prefer
naturally wakeful Here were we, two
unprotected women, dropped down at
an obscure little wayside station at
dead of night, with not soul nearer
than the le-distant hotel to help us
in case of need. There were suspicious
characters lurking about, and our only
protection a glass door and the guard,
who might be coward or knave We
could be robbed and murdered, and no
one would know.
The guards slow, heavy step passing
at long intervals, and the CLEAN OF his
lantern on his scarlet cap, gave me q
little sense ofsecurity, but 1 was very
miserable nevertheless, and heartily
wished we had not disobeyed papa. In
the midst of my reflection, heard
stealthy steps approaching the inner
door of the waiting-room and the graf
ing OF key quietly turned in the lock.
l began trembling violently, and the
, next instant, to my horror, the door
opened and the dark. faced man whom
| had seen through the window of the
codee-room, crept softly in with dim
: lantern in his hand.
! "Listen," he said, in German, in 6
> hoarse whisper, fixing me with his evl
eye, ''if you are quiet and sensible
- will do you no harm; but if you make
the least disturbance, know how tt
]. silence you " and he showed a murder
= ous-looking knife at his belt. 81 hav,
= come for the diamond the young on
wears on her finger and any other jewel
1 and money that you may have abou
= | you. Be quick and silent; give M
these things, and make no resistance a
you value your lives"
!, l suppose l grew very white an(
: trembling, for Lefty said in firm voic
that astonished me:
7 "Do as he says, Helen-our live
:, are worth more than few trumper
: jewels"
Il 1 pushed our small portmantea
q toward the robber with my foot h
!. put it on the floor just before the doc
! through which he had entered, set hi
IS lantern on the table, and began undoin
It the straps of the portmanteau.
q How eagerly and vainly we listene
) for the tramp of the guard at this
d moment, but he appeared to hay
vanished from the face of the earth.
is "The rascal evidently thinks tn
d other door is locked on the outside, 8
he is not watching u.s." said Letty
re gliding like phantom toward the doc
% next the platform.
"a While the man busily overhauled OF
" effects she slipped the bolt with as littl
= noise as if it glided over velvet, an
e. then said to me:
" clam going to make one bold effo,
+ to save my ring; shall dash that man
lt lantern TO the ground with this bundl
If of shawls-in the darkness we sha
~ have the advantage of him, as no oh
stacle is between us and the door. W
"a can rush out and scream for the guarC
Of and I am sure this wretch will not dal
re- to follow us"
RS "Oh, but Lefty, the dangerl"
II, moaned; the man could not understan
ID us, so we could say what we chose.
"Don't think of the danger, but |
AZ ready to open the door as 1 smash I'll
ar lantern"
n: Lefty, with well-directed aim, ser
4 our thick roll OF shawls flying over I'll
- table, and we were all in darkness.
h. The next instant my sister and 1 wei
nd rushing ike mad creatures down tt
platform, shrieking for the guard who's
rk slouching figure we could see in tn
wv distan ce.
Ie Strangely enough he did not or woul
h. not hear us, and, horror of horror
,is the burglar was hurrying after us, I'll
nd light of his lantern cleaning upon h
knife blade
,at Lefty, in despair, put her silv'
Id whistle 20 her lips ana pie" I'LL its p