The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-04-18
MISCELLANY.
MILES ADVENTURE.

"And now, Millie." said my father, as he
stood at my side on the porch one lovely
summer morning, "you must keep up your
courage while am away. l shall return as
soon as possible yet, with all expedition, ii
will DO at least day before l can be home.
dislike leaving you alone in the house with
only the servant girl; but, my dear, l see
no other way. Lawyer Dale has telegraphed
me TO come ON at once, or | may lose the
Grandson Farm, aud that is the place which
intend fitting up for you and Frank. He
is good boy, my daughter, and l think you
will be happy together"
"And you'll be sure to co ne home in the
morning, papa" I persisted, anxiously.
"Sure, my dear. So good-by"
And kissing mo tenderly, he sprang into
his buggy aud was off for the station.
Father and were all alone mother had
long been dead, and we lived in large,
rambling country house with spacious
grounds, some distance from the nearest
village.
We Ike )t two servants woman, Mary by
begged so earnestly for days holiday that
my father had foolishly consented; and
then the peremptory telegram had arrived,
and father must 90, leaving me alone with
Mary.
As he drove away, intending to leave his
horse in the village until his return, felt
my heart sink strangely. l began to wish
that Frank Melville would call, aud l would
lsk him to bring his sister Laura to stay
With me.
Frank and were betrothed, and he lived,
with his widowed mother and sister, over
three miles away.
But he came not, and tho hours dragged
themselves by somehow Sitting on the
porch late in the afternoon, I saw a man
enter the gate and come slowly up the
gravel walk stranger to me, and carrying
small yalise in his hand. When he reached
the porch he removed his hat and bowed
profoundly.
"This is Mr.. Cummings house, is it not 2"
he asked.
nodded in the affirmative.
Mr.. Dunning sent me here 10 repair a
lock-" the man continued, and noticed that
he did not look me full in the face, :" he
told me that there is one on the door of his
study which needs repairing, and so, miss,
IL you please, I'll go right to work"
Somewhat surprised that my father should
send the man in his own absence, l arose
with some hesitation and led the way to the
study, small, octagonal room in the wing
of the building.
Mary was there busting the furniture Wig
orously and as saw her an awful thought
darted into my mind.
My father had placed in a drawer in his
escritOire day or two before, my marriage
portion. We were no longer wealthy, and
he had with difficulty gathered the sum to-
gether; but there it was, five thousand dol
lars in cash, and all my mothers jewels,
diamonds worth, perhaps, three thousand
more.
He had not thought to remove these yalu-
ables, never dreaming in that secluded place
of possible burglars, but somehow as / en-
tered the room my heart grew full of strange
forebodings. My eyes fell Involuntary
upon Mary, and scanned her earnestly.
She was oale-faced, pale-haired woman
with eyes of tho same negative hue, almost
expressionless. l had never really liked or
trusted her; as I gazed at her now chill
crept over me and turned away.
The man had knelt down TO examine the
lock upon the door, and opening his valise
drew forth some tools with which he began
to work upon the lock.
remained in the room, watching him in
tently he worked diligently for time, and
then he arose.
~ havs finished, miss" he said, respect.
fully; /" will see Mr. Dnnning in the vii
lage for my pay when he comes back"
So he knew that my father had gone away
from home. AS the thought entered my
mind, bringing with it an inexplicable fore.
bodine, the man turned to leave the room,
and as he passed Mary, I distinctly heard
him mutter, though very family:
GAN right"
My awful suspicious seemed verified. I
arose and followed the man saw him safely
through the gate and then returned to the
study.
had made up my mind that this man
was burglar, and Mary his confederate,
David also, in all probability.
He had wished to learn the situation Of
the room and the escrit0ire, with its valua-
ble contents and so had pretended to mend
the lock.
l examined it now attentively. Great
Heaven he had deity loosened the screws
in such q manner that the least pressure
would serve to open the door; a skeleton
key would give access to the esclit0ire and
all our treasure would be in their possession.
Heart-sick and faint with terror, I stood
still in the center of the room. I could not
summon Frank to my assistance for 1 recol-
lected now that he had told me of masonic
meeting to be held in the village, some fiye
miles dista It, to which he was going that
evening, and would not return until late.
might have taken the money and jewels
and sought reguge at the house of the Mel
villes, but it was SO far distant, and my faith
er had taken our only horse, and it was get
ting late now.
/ 1 sat down in perplexity and fear, while
the last sunrays faded from the sky, and
thought over my desperate situation.
made up my mind at last Gt was sort
of Hobson's choice, you see) that must de-
fend the money and the jewels, my mar