Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-11-14

suspended on ACCOUNT OF the arrival OF
Captain Boswell and this important bust
ness affair.
would have enjoyed immensely TO
kindle a sparkling fire in the huge,
wide fireplace. but as affairs were
could not. So unused in darkness for
hours. really took no heed of time,
until my quick ears caught the sound of
a football approaching, close up to the
doorstep, | could have taken my oath.
1t was so light an echo that | sprang to
my feet, thinking my cousin Milly, alb
sent when my father called, returning
later had come down to stay with me.
/ sprang up with smile TO answer
her knock, albeit l was bit jealous of
her pretty face; but no knock came,
and the eches died out. and altogether
i concluded that | had deceived myself
in regard to them. Anyhow, | would
light the lamp. | did so, and was
startled to find II past ten O'Clock.
had gotten sufficiently aroused from my
reverie now to want u book from the
library shelves. / took up my lamp and
went Singing into the room.
81 obtained the desired volume,
stepped down from the stool, and
''If any one ever felt themselves dying,
/ did at that moment. My song died on
my lips, while thousand thoughts
seemed TO flash into my mind in one in
slant. Involuntarily gasped. and then
with strong effort of the will power,
for which | am famous, l 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 door
yard, and there was fresh, pungent
smell of tobacco smoke in the room. A
scent of smoke that was not in the room
when was there and placed the pack
age of money in my bosom.
"Do you wonder that my brain reeled
and my heart stopped beating for an
Instant Besides, whoever the robbel
was, he would soon begin work, not
knowing how early my father and tho
Captain might return. And l should
be murdered. Somewhere within few
yards, or few feel of me, the robbei
assassin was concealed either in tho
recess behind the caSinet or under the
long, draped, paper-strewn table.
IA faint sound outside nearly mad,
me drop the lamp from my hand; still
had unconsciously left my first song and
was singing:
For his bride n soldier won her,
And winning tongue had he.'
- knew that temporary salvation
power and liberty to leave that room
even depended upon my appearing
unconscious of the robbers proximity.
~ got out of the library and fount
myself in the sitting-room A hasty
glance at the door showed the key alb
sent from the lock.
"Treacheryl
IL wonder that this new revelation
did not sutfocate me. The man on the
highway--the inn lred brother-Thoma.
had betrayed us. He had overheard
about the money. A robber was in the
house and another was outside. Ny
retreat would be cut off. How thought,
ran riot through my mind. How woulC
they kill meP Would suffer longp A
that instant / was sure that / heard ;
faint creak of the library door at the fal
end Of the long hall.
Zone swift, desparing glanc,
around me, one wild idea of escape
and cxtinguished the light upon The
table, and, crouching in the fire place
l rested one foot upon the andiron
swung out the iron crane, stepped tn,
other foot upon the strong support anC
into thn nnn al
touched my head. Thank God! il wa
The rope with which the dislodgeC
bricks had been hoisted out. Grasp
ing this carefully with my hands, l helo
myself like n wedge i'm the opening.
l had envied large, noble-lookin:
women before, now had reason to b,
thankful for my diminutivc form an,
ninety odd pounds of avoirdupois.
Il had little time, however, TO con
slider anything excepting the imminen
danger of dislodging fragment o
brick or mortar, and thus diScoverin,
my hiding-placc, for the clock begal
with sonorous pcals to strike eleven
Under cover of its echoes there wer
swift, soft steps in the hall, and tn
bolt of the outer door was withdrawn
The huge flue must have acted like
telephone, for i heard every sound wit
fearful distinctness. First, there was
pause by the door of the sitting-room
then breathing in il, then whispering.
- heard Thomas distinctly whcl
he said:
She isn't here; she's gone to bed
but the money is in the library
BE cautious advised u strang
voice, and we may not have to hur
her
"Thcy carefully retreated, and m
heart struck off the seconds against IN
ribs, in u way that was suil'ocating, TO
l knew that their search would soon b
over, and what thenp
Z" In less than five minutes they wer
whispering in the room again.
Curse her' aspirated Thomas, 'sh
took the money with her.
"'Then we'll have it if
The pause meant all that word
could convey.
"The cold sweat was coming out q
every pore of my body. The dust G
the creosote had penetrated my mout
and nostrils, and l had to take on
hand from the rope in their absence
and place a finger upon my lips to pre-
vent sneezing.
Come, hurry, was the angry watch
word exchanged between them, and
heard the stars creaking as they ascend
ed to my chamber. Thomas was ia
miliar with all the house.
"Why did l not drop down now an
escape outsider"
First, then, they had locked tn
outer door and withdrawn the key, {
prevent a surprise from without Sec
ond, there might be third confederat
outside. But the most Important res
son of all was, it seemed 70 me that
never could get out of the aperture tht
had allowed me entrance into the chin
ney. / ran the risk of discovery an
death in any case.
"Oh, why did not my father and hi
companion returnP 1t might be houl
| first.
"They had found me absent from m
chamber and the adjoining rooms
They no longer used extrer.e caution
They hurried from one apartment to tn
other. could feel the jar of movin
a. n