Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-07-12

! ru Uuv la,.,os. ana from this fate II ap-
peared Mr.. Mauleverre had narrow escape.
| He had behaved "splendidly,' SO the Dasents
said; and as my nephew-elect was proud to
| hear it.
Upon further investigation it was found
that, while the robbery at Enfield Court had
been most carefully planned and premedi-
tated, the fire had evidently been an
accidental part of the thiesss pro-
gramme, as a hastily done-up burdle, con-
tanning some valuable articles, IVES discov-
cred just outside The supperroom win
dow, as if dropped in a hasty exit Happily,
the fire had been subdued in time to save the
greater portion of the house, but the damage
DONE TO say nothing Of the immense loss
cause by the robbery, was very consider
able La due tire two detectives came down
from London, and the excitement continued
undated in the neighborhood while they
remained, but nothing transpiret.
Gradually things seemed to settle down,
and the robbery at Enfield. was replaced in
my mind by my entire absorption in Any,s
enga gen.n TO which had gwen quak.
flied consent, on the condition that Mr..
Mauleverer's family were satisfied with the
connection, and that pecuniary matters were
properly adjusted. Now that he had actually
declared himself, felt emboldened to ask
questions and ascertain everything possibly
could as to the antecedents Of the man who
was to be my darling's husband.
He was well connected. His m0tler was
dead but his father was alive, and lived u
great secluSion at his own property, vhich
was situated in Yorkshire. He was feplted
4. Y -
definite information Still, remembering
Lady Dasent's very well off," l was not
much troubled on the score Of money mat
ters i told him frankly that Amy had very
little money OF her own-something less than
e, 600; but at my death intended to leave
her everything, which felt sure he would
approve Of being tied up aud strictly settled
upon herself.
thought his expression changed a little
when mentioned this. and still more so
wien casually asked him in friendly way
If he always meant t. be al idle man, for he
hal left the army, it appeared, and was
anxious, for Amy'S sake, to see some symptom
OF his wishing TO get an appoiitmentor occu
patton.
Meanwhile, Amy seemed satisfied, but my
donbts-born of my extreme affection for her
Mr. Maueyerer had written to his father
announcing his engagement, but as yet
neither line nor message from the old gen
tleman had reached US
Ia the meantime Mr.. Naulsverer rsceived
one morning a telegram, which, he informed
ms, contained the news OF the illness Of an
old friend of his in London. He must start
Immediately if he wished to see him alive
If did not mind he would leave his heavy
luggage behind him and only take a small
portmanteau.
On the morning Of the second day after he
had taken his departure, Amy joined me,
radiant with a letter, the first she had ever
received from him, very ardent and gen
tlemany epistle, | was obliged to own; salts
factory, too as it conta ined the information
that be had heard from his father, who, ON
certain condit ions, which he saw his way to
comply with, had promised to consent to the
marriage. A letter to me from old Mr.
Mauleverer had been enclosed in his letter TO
his letter to his son; but the latter preferred
delivering it to me personally; consequently
would not receive il until his return to us.
Amy had an enga cement that afternoon 10
visit the Dasents. who were now installed in
small house they had at some distance from
the Court, while the latter was being repaired.
She was to drive over taking our small
groom with her, and I was not to expect her
back until O'Clock. SO | was to spend
solitary eveninr. After she left me wrote
q few letters; then tried to read, but my
attention wandered. A slight drowsines
came over me, and suppose fell asleep.
All at once l woke up with a CONSCIOUSNESS
Of some one standing just outside of tbs
closed window, gazing into the room, and
discerned distinctly the features Of a mans
face pressed closely against the window
pane ! was not generally nervous, but con.
fess thrill of fear passed through me then
and for a moment l was almost too terrified
to stir The next instant | got up, ano
simultaneously with my doing 50 the face
vanished summoned one Of the servants
l mentioned the circumstance to her, and en-
joined extra care that night as TO our bolt
and bars. Though we had neither gold plate
nor diamonds to attract thieves, still there
was enough silver to satisfy moderate Gu
pidity, aud it was wonderful how such facts
got abroad. After the Enfield Court robbery
one could not be toe car eful.
A sudden storm had come on. About
O'Clock a message arrived for me from Lady
Dasent, telling me that the storm WAS Sc
severe they had ventured to detain Amy foi
the night; in the morning she void be with
me early.
The evening wore slowly on, and as 10 o clocl
struck went to my room 1t was directly
over the drawing-room. Next to mine was
Amy's and on the other side of the landing
was the spare room, which had so recently
been occupied by Alfred Mauleverer. Above
slept the servants. | heard them go to bed,
and while could hear them moving about
overhead, | was tolerably comfortable but
soon stiffness reigned over the Wren's Nest.
Ny domestics were asleep. The best thing
could do was to follow their example, which
after time, | suppose did, for was awak'
enei by a noise, distant sound from the
hall below. | scarcely breathed. could
hear my heart beating as | lay listening with
strained ears, and recalling with mortified
terror the face had seen at the window.
need hardly say that | was thoroughly
awake. Every nerve was strung to such
pitch Of tension that if a pin had been
dropped feel sure | should have heard
it. 1t came again-the sound from
b4low-dul this time, but distinct;
and presently | heard stealthy foot
steps coming rapidly and quietly up stairs
evidently shoeless feet but none the less
audible to my ears. Never since | had lived
at the Wrens Nest had ! locked my bed
room door had dread Of doing it, and
despite my nervousness on this occasion,
had not departed from my rule. II was too
late to attempt to accomplish it now. Be
Sides looking back, think sort Of tempo
rary paralysis had come over ME. ] heard q
hand laid upon the handle: it was turned
cautiously, and the next moment. from my
curtainei bed. distinguished man hearing
some sort Of small lamp-his face concealed
by . mask ENTER. -. sEE
It was matter Of lfeor death TO me torst
main quiet He approached the bed. raised
his lamp, flashed it for a second on nv closed
eyes, and then withdrew it, appar-
entity satisfied that | slept 1t must
have been cursory glance, for
could not have sustained the deception for
more than moment. Only the lower part
of his face WAS covered. So | could see his
eyes, small black and piercing, with some
thing familiar to me in them. even then.
Almost noiseessly he vanished, and heard
him proceed into Amy's room next-thank
God, il was empty--then into the spare
room, where he remained.
All at once it flashed across me that. by
little courage I might save everything and
secure the thief In former days, my spare
/ room had been a nursery, ami the windows
were barred so as to make all exit from them
impossible II | could slip out OF bed, get
across the passage, in one second i could
lock the door, and, secure from any attack,
raise an alarm.
A moments pause acqiainted me with thes
fact that the rniscreans was busy; heardi
him throwing out things al over the hoor
| He was searching Mr. Mauleverer's port