Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-10

|
FIR II foundry stack. We had cheerful
pen fires later on; but the house being
m ancestral pile, WAS getting somewhat
Ilapidated, and the partition separating
be llnes in the large chimney had fallen
n Men had been set to ear out thr
ubhish and make repairs, but the work
lalf done was suspended on account of the
arrival OF Captain Boswell and this impor
tant business affair.
| would have enjoyed immensely to
have kinded IA sparkling fire in the huge
wide fireplace, but as affairs were could
not. So | amused myself in darkness fol
hours. | really took no heed of time,
until my quick ear caught the sound of IL
fuo' fall approaching close up to the door
step, could have taken my oath. 1t was
so light an echo hat sprang to my feet
When my fal her called, returning later
had come down to stay with me.
sprang up with smile to answer her
knock, albeit was II bit jealous Of her
pretty face; but no knock came, and the
echoes died out, and at last | con
cluded | had deceived myself in regard
To them ANY hon, would light the lamp
| did so, and WAS startled to find it past
ten o'clock. | had gotten sufficiently
aroused from my rqverle now to want IL
book from the library shelves. took up
my lamp and went singing into the room.
l obtained the desired volume, stepped
down from the stool, and
If ever anyone felt themselves diving, |
did at that moment. My song died on
my lips, while thousand thoughts seem
ed to flash into my mind in one instant.
lnvoluntarily gasped, and then with
strong effort of will power, for which
am famous, took up the song again and
sang 1t TO Il close.
Among other things, remembered that
The lock was off the library door for
repairs. rendered the lateuess Of the
hour and the probability that all the peo
Pile were in bed and asleep. remember
Ell the footsteps in the doorvard, and
there was fresh pungent smell oftobacco
smoke in the room. A scent of smoke
that was not in the room when | went
and placed the package Of money in my
bosom.
Do you wonder that my brain reled
and NV heart stopped beating for an
instant! Besides, whoever the robber
was. he would soon commence work, not
knowing how early my father and the
captain might return. And | should be
murdered. Somewhere within Il few fee
OF me, the robbtr assassin was concealed
either in the cabinet, or under the long
draped, paper stewn table.
A faint noise outside nearly made NE
drop the lamp from my hand; still | had
unconsciously left my first song and was
singing
| For his bride soldier won her
| Aud awnning tongue had he'
| l knew that tempor ~ salvation
power and liberty to leave the room even
depended upon my appearing unconscious
OF the robbers proximity.
l got out of the library and found
myself in the sitting room. A hasty
glance at the door showed The key absent
from the lock.
Trearhery!
wonder that this new revelation dld
not suff cate me The man on the hish-
way--the murdered brother--Thomas
mad betrayed US. He had betrayed US
He had overheard about the money. Al
Rubber was in the house and another
outside. My retreat was cut Oft. How
thoughts ran riot through my mind How
would they kill meP Would suffer long ?
At that moment | was sure | heard IA
creak of the library door at the long hall
One swift, despairing glance around
me and | eXtlnguished the light
upon the table, and crouchng in the
fireplace, | rested one foot upon the
andiron, swung out the IRON crane, stepped
the her foot upon the strong, support and
rose up into the ilue Something touched
my head Thank God! 1t Was The rope
with which the dsoiged bricks had been
hoisted out. Graspiug this carefully with
my hand, held myself like Il wedge in
the opening. 1t l had enved large.
noble looking women before, now had
reason to be thankful for my diminutive
form and ninety odd pounds OF avoiid du.
pos.
l had little time, however, to consider
anything excepting the imminent danger
o. disclosing my hiding place, for the
clock began with sonorous peals to strike
eleven. Under cover OF its echoes there
were swift, soft steps in the hall, and the
bolt of the outer door was withdrawn. !
The huge flue must have acted as u
telephone, for heard every sound with |
fearful dstinctness. First, there was IA /
pause by the door of the sitting room,
then breathing, then whispering.
| heard Thomas dscinctly, when he |
said;
She isn't here; she's gone to bed; bu,
the money is in the library
BE cautious advised strange voice,
and 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 | knew
that their search would soon be over, and
what thenp
In less than five minutes they were
whispering in the room again.
Damn herr aspirated Thomas, she
took the money with her.
Then we'll have it
The pause meant all the words could
convey.
The cold sweat was coming out of every
pore of my body. The dust of the creosote
had penetrated my mouth and nostrils,
and ! had to take Que hand from the rope
in their absence, and place finger upon
my lips to prevent sneezing.
Come, hurry was the angry watch
word exchanged between them, and |
heard the stairs creaking as they ascended II
to my chamber. Thomas was familiar
with the house.
Why did l not drop down now and
escape outside?
First, then. they had locked the outer
door and withdrawn the key, to prevent Il
surprise from without. Second, there
might be third confederate outside. But
the most important reason of all was, II
seemed to me that never could get out OF
the aperture that had allowed me entrance
into the chimney. ran the risk of dscov
cry and death in any case.
oh, why did not my father and his
companion return? 1t might be hours ,
first.
They had found me absent from my I
chamber and the adjoining rooms. They |
no longer used extreme caution. They
hurried from one apartment to another
I could feel the jar OF moving furniture,
and closet doors were opened hastily. ;
The upper part ofthe house was ransacked,
and then they came down the stairs upon s
the run. Time was precious TO them now. II
With direful oaths they rummaged the 7
lower floors, and finally returned to the A