Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-21
He might have rescued us; but he did not

He might have rescued us; but he did not
come.
g ffe," said Nab. in o whisper to me-she
need not have whispered. for the robber could
lot understand our language-'1 am not going
to give up my ring without a struggle This
man evidently thinks the other door locked on
the outside and sefe against our opening 1t;
otherwise he would not let Us stand so close to
1t. have my hand on the bolt now; there
have slipped it, l am going to dash the robbers
lantern from the table with this bundle of shawls:
in the darkness We can rush out upon the plat
form and call the guard. Don't lose your head
or try to detain me. for am quite resolved. Be
ready to fly when / give the signal"
Before / could recover from my astOnishment
at this bold plan there was crash of glass upon
the floor darkness. volley of Italian oaths and
my sister and were tearing madly down the
deserted platform.
ergy Of despair. but from some inexplicable
cause he could not or would not hear u.s. though
we saw his form quite plainly in the distance.
Steps were heard in pursuit of US, and the
angry curses OF the burglar reached our terror
stricken ears when an inspiration seized Mabel.
She put her little silver whistle to her lips and
blew till It's peculiar note rang out like clarion
ON the still air.
The sound Of hasty footsteps approachin e
from another direction became audible: but
whether they were for good or ill We could not
tell. Nab had lost her courage and was lean
ing on me, half fainting, when a voice calling In
English "Hallo! What is the matter? What
are you rascals doing?" seemed to put new life
into her.
Two men ran toward US, one of whom, to our
amazement and delight, we recognized as Sid
ney Weir. our travelling campanion.
We chung to him. and lowered over him with
tears, hysterical laughter and incOherent thanks.
and did not notice that during our explanations
both robber and guard disappeared. Mr.. Weir
said that he had felt uneasy at leaving us alone
in the little station, and finding another belated
traveller, they had whiled away the night smok-
Ing and walking up and down upon the road
near at hand. He had not told US of his change
Of plans, thinking 1t might annoy us. When he
saw the rough lot Of men who collected about
the coffee-room he was very glad he had waited,
for he thought we might be subjected to annoy
ance. II nothing worse. The sound of Mabei's
whistle had reached his ears as a signal OF dis
tress and he would never feel sufficiently thank
full that he had given her the little toy.
What fall to understand ia this rascally
guard deserving his post SO shamefuy," said
our rescuer. ringing huge bell which hung
near.
Presently an astonished group of walters
and porters gathered around us with lights and
began asking thousand questions. One of the
new corners stumbled over something lying in a
dark corner.
What Is ths?" he cried; s'Moser, the guard.
IN IN drunken Sleep He Will lose his place for
this, and deserves 1t. tOO!'
1t was afterwards discovered that Anton
Moser. the real guard had been drugged by
two ruftlans, one of whom had stolen his lantern
and cap while the other made his daring at
tempt upon Mabel and me-
We had lost all interest in the tste at San Vito
and, like frightened, disobedlent children, our
only wish was to return home, If the little hotel
that we had left could be called home. Sid
ney Weir accompanied US; and when Uncle Wal
lace returned, he found sutton for Mabes hand
awaiting his approval. The approval was not
withheld. as Mabs face betrayed that her heart
had found its idol