Ellsworth American., 1883-11-01

did at that moment. My song died on my
lips, while thousand thoughts seemed to
flash into my mind in one instant. lnvolun-
tarily gasped, and then with strong eff
fort of will power, for which l am famous, |
took up the song again and sang it to the
close.
"Among other things | remembered that
the lock was off the library door for repairs.
| remembered the lateness of the hour and
the probability that all the people were in
bed and asleep. | remembered the footsteps
in the dooryard, and-there was fresh,
pungeut smell of tobacco smoke in the room,
a scent Of smoke that was not in the room
when was there and placed the package of
money in my bosom.
"Do you wonder that my brain reeled and
my heart stopped beating for an instant
Beside, whoever the robber was, he would
sJon begin work, not knowing how early my
father and the captain might return. And
should be murdered. Somewhere within
few wards, or few feet of me, the robber
assassin was concealed-either in the recess
behind the cabinet, or under the long, draped,
paper-strewn table.
"A faint sound outside nearly made me
set down the lamp; still had unconscious
itlt ii - SUNK ohh vas
For his bride soldier won her;
And a winning tongue had he
'l knew that temporary salvation power
and liberty to leave that room even-de-
pended upon my appearing unconscious Of
the robbers proximity.
Il got out of the library and found my
self in the sitting room. 4 hasty glance al
the door showed the key absent from the
lock-
al wonder that this new revelation did not
sufocate me. The man on the highway
the injured brother-Thomas had BETRAYED
US. He had overheard about the money.
A lobber was in the house and another was
outside. My retreat would be cut off. How
thoughts ran riot through my mind How
would they Kill me? Would suffer long
At that instant ! was sure that heard
faint creak of the library door at the far end
Of the long hall.
''One swift, despaiIing glance around me,
one wild idea of escape, and extinguished
the light upon the table, and crouching in
the fireplace ! rested one foot upon the and
iron, swung out the lroa crane, stepped the
other foot upon the strong support and rose
up into the hue Something touched my
head. Thank God 1t was the rope with
which the disledged bricks had been hoisted
out. Grasping this carefully with my hands
| held myself Ike wedge in the opening.
Ii had enyied large, noblelooking women
before, now had reason TO be thankful for
my diminutive form and 80 odd pounds Of
ayoirdupol>.
The clock began with sonorous peals t.
strike IL Under cover Of its echoes there
p,,t1E tha i,a' apl . ba
bolt Of the outer door was withdrawn. The
huge ilue must have acted like telephone,
for heard every sound with fearful distinct
ness. First, there was pause by the door
Of the sitting room, then breathing in il.
then whispering.
Il heard Thomas distinctly, when he
said
"'She isn't here she's gone to bed ; hut
the money is in the library
BE cautious, advised a strange voice,
and We may not have to hurt her
They carefully retreated and my heart
struck off the seconds against my ribs in
way that was sutfocating. for | knew that
their search would soon be over, and what
then?
In less than five minutes they were whis-
perng in the room again.
.'Confound her" aspirated Thomas, She
took the money with her.
".1hen we'll have il if
The pause meant all that words could
convey.
The cold sweat was coming out of ever,
pore Of my body. The dust Of creosote pen
eirated my mouth and nostrils. and | had to
take one hand from the rope in their absence
and place finger upon my lips to prevent
sneezing.
"Come, hurry was the angry watchword
exchanged between them, ard | heard the
stairs creaking as they ascended to my
chamber Thomas was familiar with all the
house.
''Why did | not drop down and escape
outside2
First, then, they had locked the outer
door and withdrawn the key to prevent
surprise from without. Second, there might
be third confederate outside. But the
most important reason Of all was, it seemed
to me, that ! never could get out Of the
aperture that had allowed me entrance into
the chimney. | ran the risk Of discovery
and death in any case.
They found me absent from my cham
Der and the adjoining rooms. They no long
er used extreme caution. They hurried from
one apartment to the other. | could feel the
jar Of moving furniture, and the closet doors
were opened hastily. The upper part of the
house h MI funsachso' 'n st anu 'neh they came
uo"ii s'aIls upon 'iic u!.n run lime was pre-
c'ous ~ ''ie,ii nov. M uieiui oatiiS 'ne!
iulnniaseu , t'ie .omef nooiS' an" hna''! re-
'uinru - 'uc Si.tiiis 'oon'
-" III ~. leie 49, s'ti iiiotias, mas
iio, i:is WI. MS i"i.p "oiGsS ''e iooii' anu
hele y " ianip o'i tne 'ao'e.
She mus ha.e Sohe Out
~ ! Wa,eheu ior hef' ana every WIN
uow iS fastened on tne INSIDE men ne
eoasihuIu n.S oufse S nIr sue q wl'cn anu
1alieu l 'ie. s.o1u anu pou,eG GaIns aiter ne
= u u ~! IKE 10 eaech ier now no" ne ground
u"s eti, ueI"ee'i iiis leetn ].
2naii we sehfe" hio'e
u no use we turned oyer every
ulIu6I WHICH IL iubu>c COGiu niue.