The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-11-01
II heard Thomas distinctly, when

"I heard Thomas distinctly, when
he said:
"'She isn't here; she's gone to bed,
but the money is in the library
"'Be cautious,' advised Il strange
voice, sand we may not have to hurt
her.
"They carefully retreated, and my
heart struck off the seconds against my
ribs in a way that was sutfocating, for
1 knew that their search would soon he
over, and what thenp
''In less than fivo minutes they were
whispering in the room again.
"'Confound herl' aspirated Thomas.
she took the money with her.
Then We'll have it if
"The pause meant all that worls
could convey.
"The cold sweot WAS coming out OF
every pore Of my body. The dust of
the creosote had penetrated my mouth
and nostris. and had to take one hand
from the ropa in their absence and
place a linger upon my lips to prevent
snceZing.
"'Come, hurry,' was the angry
watchword exchanged between them,
and L heard the stairs crealling as they
doCCllNtct W lily CllttllDoE. InOllllS was
familiar with all the house.
'Why did l not drop down and es-
cape outside?
First, then, they had locked the
outer door and withdrawn the key to
prevent surprise from without. Sc
cond, there might he 4 third confeder-
ate outside. But the most important
reason Of all was, it seenlel to me, that
| never could get out OF the aperture
that had allowed me entrance into tho
chimney. | ran the risk Of discovery
and death in any case.
"Oh, why did not my father and his
companion return? 1t might be hours
first.
''Thcy had found mo absent from
my chamber and the adjoining rooms.
They 10 longer used extreme caution.
They hurried from one apartment to
the other. I could feel the jar OF moy-
ing furniture, and closet doors were
opened hastily. The upper part Of the
house was ransacked, and then they
came down stairs upon the run. Time
was precious to them now. With dire
full oaths they rummaged the lower
floors, and finally returned to the sit
ting-room.
~ saw the light here last,' said
Thomas, moving with his lamp across
the room, 'and here is the III mp on the
table,
'.'She must have got out
mo; watched for her, and every
window is fastened on the inside.'
Then he continued: Curse her! she's IL
witchl' and bahled they stood and
poured oaths after me. 'I'u like to catch
and knife her myself now How he
ground it out between his teeth.
Shall we search mOre?'
"st's no use; we've turned over
everything under which mouse could
hide
"'What, then? Shall we waylay the
old man and fix him?'
'They haven't the morey; it was
left hcre.'
'''Tne cellar suggested the voice.
"Once more they dashed out, only to
return in hot haste now, for there was
the tt OF and rumble of Il horse and car
riage on the bridge between us and the
city.
"'Stay,, urged the stranger, trump
up some kind Of a story, and we may
secure the money yet
"'I would returned Thomas, sbut
the girl s witch, and am just as sure
thapshe is somewhere near us all the
time, and would hand me over to JUS
tlco-'
"Ihere was a scamper outside and
the sound Of feet running toward the
river came down tho wide mouth at the
top of the chimney. Father and Cap
tam Boswell drove into the yard and up
TO the door, just as the clock struck
twelve.
'Thomas!' called my father, in his
ringing tones, come and take care of
tile horse
"Receivrng no response from his usll-
al punctual factotum, he sprang up the
steps, and uttered an exclamation of
horror at finding the door open.
" Boswell said he, we certainly
saw light here when we came down
the hill.'
"'Quick, JASON said the captain,
there has been foul play here
"'Foul play? My God! my poor
'Father,' strove to call, but the
tlrSt attempts, chOked in the dust and
SCOT, ended III hysterical hiecough.
"'Where is that? What is it2' called
my distracted father, and both men
dashed for the library.
II now stroye to descend. but the
movement brought down bushels of
mortar and broken bricks from all sides,
and closed up the tlue. [ bethought
me Of the rope, and by sticking my toes
in here and there went up the chim-
ney hand over lland.
"Agile as a cat, when reached the
top OF the low chimney I sprang down
upon the roof and began calling loudly
for father.
You should have heard them run
through the house and halloo before
they located my voice. At last the
captain came out Of doors.
- Will you get me a ladder, please
said l., 1 want to- get down from here
" ~ ladder, Jason,' shouted the cup
tain, the little girl is on the roof
"'For the love of heaven, girl, how
came you there?' said my father, as
landod upon tho ground and began
shaking tho SCOT from my clothes.
"I went up there through the CHM
ney, papa. But you had better put up
the horse-you will have to groom him
yourself to.night-and then 1 will tell
you all about it.
"The captain led me into the house,
for | was trembling violently.
""Now,' said father, being absent
ONLY a moment or two without Inttino