Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-05-31
Selected STORY.
Saved by q Pigeon.

1t was the sweetest little thing you
ever saw-a wee carrier-pigeon with
pure white breast, its wings a soft
pearl gray, and its arching neck
cleaning with iridescent hues.
A boy had brought it over from
Elmwood this morning in a dainty
willow basket, lined with pink cot
ton wood, and its handle adorned
with bows of pink ribbon.
From Larry, of course ! cried Aunt
Judith, as l entered the breakfast
room. i don't believe earth ever
produced so gallant lover T she con-
tinued in her teasing way. i believe
he sends you a present every day,
Yesterday it was a beautiful bouquet
of flowers, the day before that-well
let me see-he came himself! And
what have you now, pray, a turtle
dove?'
NO; a carrier-pigeon and Larry
says it's a trained one, too,' l replied,
referring to the letter, a dainty billet
which had accompanied the gift.
Aha! Now we shall have tender
missives flying over our heads, | pre-
sume! Away with prosaic postage
stamps, and all that!'
i wish Larry had sent her big
bulldog instead Of the bird said
papa, as he helped himself to the
toast.
why, papa" I gasped. How un'
poetical!'
very useful, my dear, Especially
lust now when there are so many
burglars dDOuI.
4 hear Mr.. Sevre's house has been
robbed, and Golden's Jswelry store
too. said Aunt Judith. Goodness
me, hope they won't come here
We're in such a lonely, out-of-the-
way place, too Thomas " turning tt
my father, don't you think that you
had better take the spare silver and
the family diamonds to a more secure
place .
I've been thinking about that very
thing, papa. We shan t need them
till Meg here turning to me with 8
smlle,) becomes Mrs. Lawrence Car.
roll. So might az we'll take them
down to the bank and lock them "
in the safe
But what if they break in the
bank ask.
Papa laughed derisively He was
always Boosting Of the safety of the
bank.
They couldn't open the safe unless
the cashier and | were both there
It's one Of the best combination lockt
made. I'm positive that anything
put in that sale'is perfectly secure.
Poor papa! How little he thought
but there, that's Just like me, al
ways getting ahead of my story
Larry didn't spend that evening
with me, and so went to bed quite
early. | soon fell asleep, but some
how didn't rest very we'll, and was
glad when l awoke, for | was dream
ing that Larry and | had an awful
quarrel.
But the sick, wretched feeling did
not pass away with my awakening.
had a smothered, suffocatel feeling
that made me actually gasp for
breath. Thinking that the bed
clothes were lying across my face, !
reached up my hand to draw them
away, and found there instead a
handkerchief saturated with subtle
overpowering scent.
Chloroform ! Yes, that was it. But
what did it mean Shivering with a
nameless terror, but with my senses
all aroused, | sprang from the bed
and went to the door.
1t WAS slightly ajar, and through
the opening a light shone family.
crept soft out into the hall, and lean
Ing over the railing looked down.
Oh, heavens! what did see.
-Four strong men, wearing black
masks and armed with rcxolvers,
dragging along my dear old father !
you williams What is the use Of
this!' ! heard poor, dear papa eay.
! shlll never, never do it,