The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-03

might be robbed and murdered without our
friends ever knowing of our fate. In the
midst of my cheerful reflections it consoled me
a little to see the guard pass by slowly outside
at intervals, with his lantern cleaning on the
rcd band of his cap.
Suddenly, my ears sharpened by the silence,
l heard a stealthy step approach the inner door
OF our prison, and the quiet grating of Key III
the lock was distinctly audible. My heart
seemed to stop beating with fright. and then.
TO my unspeakable horror the door softly
opened and the eyil-looking man with the
gFizzied. hair whom / had seen through the
window of the coffee-room, crept IN with am
lantern in his hand.
Lsten.n he said in hoarse whisper.
fixing me with his wicked eyes. If you are
quiet will do you no harm, but If you scream
or make the least disturbance / know how TO
silence you. l want the ring your friends
pretty finger wears, and whatever money and
other valuables you have about you. Make no
resistance, as you value your life"
l suppose / grew very white and trembled,
for Mabel said in a surprisingly firm voice
Don't faint, Ellie, but give the man the
valise to search; our lives are worth more than
the trumpery it contains"
The robber set his lantern on the table and
began Gndoing the straps of our yalise. placing
il on the floor before the door at which he had
entered. Where was the guard outside, that
his light did not shine again through our
window? lie might have rescued us; but he
did not come.
Efie,n said Nab, in whisper to me-she
need not have whispered, for the robber could
not understand our language am not going
TO give up my ring without struggle This
man evidently thinks the other door locked
on the outside and safe against our opening it /;
otherwise he would not let US stand so close to
it. have my hand on the bolt now; there-I
have slipped it, am going to dash the rob
ber's lantern from the table with this bundle of
shawls; III the darkness we can rush out upon
the platform and call the guard. Don't lose
your head or try to detain me, for | am quite
resolved. Be ready TO lily when / give the
signal.
Before I could recover from my asto9ishment
at this bold plan, there was a cr-sn OF glass
upon the floor, darkness, a yolley OF Italian
oaths and my sister and ! were tearing madiy
down the deserted platform.
Guard, guard we shriekel with all the
energy Of despair, but from some inexpIcable
cause he could not or would not hear US, though
we saw his form quite plainly ii the distance.
Steps were heard in pursuit of US aud 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 its peculiar note rang out like a
clarion on the still air.
The sound OF hasty footsteps approaching
from another direction became audible; but
whether they were for good or i'll we conld not
tell. Nab had lost her courage and was leaning
on me, half fainting, when a voice calling in
English Halo! What is the matter? What
are you raseals doing?" seemed TO put new
life into her.
Two men ran towards us, one of whom, to
cur aIiazement and delight, we recognized as
Sidney Weir, our travelling companion.
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 an
other belated traveller they had whiled away
the night smoking and walking up and down
upon the road near AZ hand. he had not told
us Of his change Of plans, thinking il might
annoy rs. When he saw the rough lot of men
who collected about the codee-room, he was
very glad he had waited for he thought we
might be subjected 10 annoyance, if nothing
worse. The sound Of Mabel's whistle had
reached his cars as a signal Of distress, and he
would never feel sufficiently thankful that he
had given her the little toy.
What ] fail TO understand is this rascally
guard deserving has post sOshameinlIy, said cur
rescuer. ringing a huge bell which hung near
Presently an astonished group OF walters and
porteTs gathered round us with lights and
began asking thousand questions One OF
the new comers stumbled over something lying
in dark corner.
II hat is thisg" lie cried: Moser, tie guard
in q drunken sleepl lie viii lose his place for
this, and deserves il, tool"
II was afterwards discovered that Anton
Moser, the real guard, had been dragged by two
rGfiiaas. one of whom had stolen his lantern
and cap, while the other made his daring at
tempt upon Mabel and me.
We had lost ali interest in the fete at San
Vito, and. like frightened disobedient children
cur only wish was to return home, if the little
I hotel that we had left could be called home
+ Sidney Weir accompanied us; and, when Uncle
I Wallace returned, he found a sutton for MabePs
hand awaiting his approval. Tie approval
4 was not withheld, as Mab's face betrayed that
/ her heart had found its idol