Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-08
had succeeded in entering the parlor


window,
There was no possible means of get
ting out by the lower story now, for the
stairs went down Immediately at the
parlor door, and could not escape be-
ing seen should | attempt to descend. l
had almost made up my mind to Jump
from the balcony into the porch, but it
was foolish thought, for it WIS entire
" too high. and would be sure to break
limb or sprain my ankle. and thus
throw myself into the Villains power.
Once more L turned into my room,
and my brain was in such a whirl that
could think of no course to pursue
nothing but to stand and listen. My
heartfluttered. heard soft step on
the stair, and the next moment saw a
| light thrown upon the wall in the en-
! try. He was coming.
wrung my hands and glanced hur-
riedly about. Must l hide myself be-
tween the feather-bed and mattress!
Good Heaven! hadn't time for that,
for he was half way up the stairs.
The closet door stood open, and
springing to it took out the KEY, and
stepping in. closed the door, locking it
on the inside. Peeping through knot
hole, saw the dark form of man step
ping cautiously across the hall to NV
room, holding small lantern in his
hand. When he stood on the threshold,
he threw the light in and peered anx-
iously about. Coming into the room he
examined the bed-he even stopped and
looGed under it, then turned to the ia
BILE and stood looking at my book and
the lamp as if trying to solve, some
mystery He turned over one of my
shoes with his foot, and glanced up at
the open door, f.-o~ 49,.
Mercy! could it be that he was search
ing for meP If so, he would not fail to
examine the closet and if he should sue
coed in opening it-slas! pressed my
hand involuntarily upon my heart to
quiet its wild throbbing.
''Well," l heard him mutter from be
meath his mask, Il am sure L heard a
noise as was coming up. She must be
here somewhere, for there was a light
burning in, here. If / could only find
her-but it may be that
Again ne glanced, up at the door. In
my anxiety to watch his movements /
rubbed against the key, and it fell to
the floor with loud ring Instantly his
gaze was rivited upon the closet door as
he came slowly toward it Taking hold
of the b 1t, he shook it gently and then
stood very quiet for some time, as if
listen 'ng.
''Yes," he said at. length, 81 saw a
bunch of keys down stairs somewhere,
and l guess [ can find one to fit this
OK; if don't, can make use of these
tools on it."
So saying, he turned away, and as he
went into the hall heard him shut my
door and lock it ON the outside.
l felt for the key on the floor, anu
hastily opening the closet, stood and
listened in GREATNESS suspense. Wi
a bold, heavy step he descended into
the hal, and although / had not recog-
niZed him as such, now firmly be-
lieved him to be no her than our
gardener, for he seemed to be aware
that l was the only occupant Of the
house, and to believe thai he lad me
securely locked in my room; but,
strange to say, lie had fCrg )tten the
door leading into the balcony. and step
ping out, l again Looked about me fol-
some means of cape.
tried the front hall door, and to my
delight found it unfastened. From it 9
little flight OF stairs led up into a room
in the roof, where there were two
dOrmer windows.
Hastening up these steps, I raised
one of the windows and stepped out up
on the roof. lowering the sash after me-
The moon was shining brilliantly, anC
l looked up and down the road to see i
any object was in sight; but not a NOV
ing object could l discern from among
the clustering shadows and bushes.
Once more listened, and heard the
intruder coming up the first stair
way, and knew he was coming to breaE
into the closet. / had been thoughtful
enough to lock it when l came out, il
order to keep him employed as long az
possible, hoping aid might arrive be
fore he was gone.
He completed his task at the loci
with remarkable quiekness for l hearc
him come into the hall with distinc
oath, and start to come up the second
flight of stairs. t--f 49,.
Dear mel, Would he suspect what
had done, and come out on the roof Il
look for me? Perhaps he had heard me
raise the window.
Running TO the far end of the house
l saw the limb of tree extending on
cutie near the edge of the roof. anC
thought perhaps might swing dowr
by it. 1t was very small and weak, anC
| was almost afraid to risk it; but per
haps it would sustain my weight until
could reach another limo. But suppose
that it should break? The fall would bt
quite sure to kill me. i,~-, 2f~>C-
Twas almost ready to abandon the
idea and make myself contented upor
the roof until my brother came. allow
the robber TO carry away everything il
the house if he chose, when a loud rat
tie upon the dormer window aroused
me. and without even tn hiking further
of what might be the consequences. !
took hold OF the limb and stepped of
the roof, swinging far out over the
yard n5ih - CIG1li -"h 4.i4S t-o5-
AS looked down 1 grew faint, anC
came near letting 20 my, hold Their,
= | was hanging high up in the air. sus
. pended by a rail limb, and to fal
would be certain death.
Climbing hand. over hand, soor
reached the trunk OF the tree, where
l let 60 my hold and canght on large
limb. Lowering myself from ont