The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-12-06

bang. Every one looked round. A
growl of distant thunder, and faint.
Hash OF lightning accounted for it next
moment. More blows and a long
ominous roll, and the lightning playing
across the great armoire; then an ava
lanche of rain and hail-all strange and
incongruOus on this fine evening. The
room was nearly dark. One of the men
spoke: '1s there step-ladder in the
houseP" 1t was brought. 'I'll try the
top, with your leave, ma am. All, if |
had light now!" He was given taper
from the library table. ''Bill-to his
companion-look here; hold the light
and keep a hand on the side" He lifted
the Ratchet and gave a swinging blow
another-an awful clap of thunder and
the next flash showed every white face
to the other. Quick steps in the hall,
and the door flung wide; a wild, wet
figure threw the key among us, and fell
in heap upon the floor. With wrench
the man on the ladder tore off the upper
holding and half the roof of the arm
DIRE. Mrs. Lester took up the kew,
fumbled with the lock, let it fall with a
shrek. Barker caught it from her, put
it in and turned it. "Open it," she
whispered to one of the men; Il can't.
She turned away, sick with dread. 1t
was opened, showing nothing but the
terrible inner door, whose spring was
only known to the master, lying sense
less on the floor
Take off more here, " one of the men
shouted; sit will give air till the doors
got open"
Good thought. They worked savagely,
Mrs. Lester was on her knees by her
husband. 80, get brandy. Get him
to speak. He could tell us how" They
did what they could William! 0,
speak to me. How can 1 open it, the
spring-the inner door,"
The white lips moved, and the head
with its dripping hair rolled to one side,
but no sound came. The men worked
wildly now. All thought of sparing the
beautiful front and brass-work was for
gotten. They tore and hammered at
the inner door, whose smooth, polished
surface presented no crevice or joint
where to strike first-where to insert
chisel or direct blow. As they worked,
consciousness returned to Mr. Rester;
he half sat up, supporting himself
against the door, but no words came,
though his lips moved and his eyes
looked with intense eagerness at the de-
struction of his precious armoire, He
lifted his hands and looked mutely at
his wife. She put her head down to his
lips. "What is it? What shall | tell
them to do?' He beat his hand upon
the floor.
Kate sprang forward 81 know! l
know! Strike on the floor, at the foot
of the inner door! 0, remember, it
was theren'
Davis felt with his hand all along the
polished surface of the lowest shelf.
Here, press here; give me a hammer "
He felt slight rise, and struck grad
ually all about the spot Kate showed
him. A deafening clap of thunder, and
flash, binding us for the moment, and
we all crowded close, and then came .
creak, drowned in the awful thunder,
''It's open," said one of the men.
Kate slid to the door, twisting my
dress about her head.
Davis turned from the door. 81
daren't look" he said. 'Do YOU" to
the carpenters man. "Open it gently"
Barker stretched forward, turned
round, tried to say something, and burst
out crying.
Il can't see," said the man, with a
strange, thick voice. Bring the light,
some one" For ten awful seconds
there was silence in the dim room, then
a cry, and heavy fall.
''Saleen," said voice close to me,
''do you know it's a quarter-past seven,
and you are are due at the Testers at
half-past; and not even dressed. Here $
your book fallen down"
/ had been asleep over an hour.
If felt like conspirator at the Les
ters' pleasant dinner it is not surprising,
but did not mention my dream.