The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-06-20
kindle sparkling fire in the huge wide
fireplace, but as affairs were I could not.
So mused in darkness for honrs. 7

fireplace, but as affairs were could not,
So ] mused in darkness for hours, I
really took no heed of the time, until
my quick ear caught the. sound of o
football approaching, close up to the
doorstep, could have taken nv oath.
1t was so light an echo that sprang to
my feet. thinking that my cousin Milly,
absent when my father called, and re-
turning later, had come down to stay
with me.
II sprang up with smile to answer
her knock, albeit I was bit jealous of
her pretty face; but no knock came, and
the echoes died out, and altogether
concluded had deceived myself in re-
gard to them. Any how would light
the lamp, did so and was startled to
find it past 10 o'clock. I was sufficient
ly aroused from my reverie to want a
book from the library shelves. / took
up my lamp and went singing into the
room.
II obtained the desired volume, step
ped down from the stool, and
"If ever any one felt themselves dy-
ing Ibid ut that moment. My song die,l
on my lips, while thousand thoughts
seemed to fash into my mind in one in
instant. Involuntarily l gasped and
then with strong effort of the will
power, for which am famous, took
up the song again und sang it to the
close.
Among other things I remembered
that the lock was off the library door
for repairs. ! remembered the lateness
of the hour and the probability that all
tho people were in bed and asleep, I re-
membered the footsteps in the door
yard, and-thcre was q fresh, pungent
smell of tobacco smoke in the room. A
scent of smoke that was not in the room
when was there and placed the pack
age Of money in my bosom.
do you wonder that my brain reeled
and my heart stopped beating for an in.
slant? Besides, whoever the robber
was, he could soon begin work, not
knowing how early my father and the
captain might return. And should be
murdered. Somewhere within few
yards or q few feet of me the robber as
sassin was concealed-eitller in the re-
cess behind the cabinet. or under the
long, draped, paper strcwn table.
"a faint sound outside nearly made
me set down the lamp; still 1 had I'M
consciously left my first song and was
singing; g.. II. ,,,.,.,, -, ;, -. ....., ,...
And winning tongue had he.
II knew that temporary salvation
power and liberty to leave that room,
even--depended upon my appearing un-
conscious of the robbers paroximity.
IL got out of the library and found
myself in the sitting room. A hasty
glance Mt the door showed the key alb
sent from the lock.
"Treachcry!
81 wonder that this new revelation
did not suffocate me. The men on the
highway-the injured Thomas
had betrayed us. He had overheard
about the money. A robber was in the
house and another was outside. My re-
treat would be cut off. How would they
kill me? Would 1 suffer long? At
this instant 1 was sure that heard
faint creak of the library door at the
farther end of the long hall.
Gone swift, despairing glance around
me, one wild idea of escape, and l en-
tinguished the light upon the table, and,
crouclling in the fireplace, rested one
foot upon the andiron, swung out the
iron crane, stepped the other foot upon
the strong support and rose up into the
tiue. Something touched my head.
Thank God! 1t was the rope with which
the dislodged bricks had been hoisted
out. Grasping this carefully with my
hands held myself like wedge in the
opening. If I had envied large noble
looking women before, now had rea-
son to be thankful for my diminutive
orm and ninety odd pounds of avoirdu-
pois."
II had little time, however, to think
of any thing except the imminent dan
ger of knocking down q fragment of
brick or porter and thus discovering my
hiding place. for the clock began with
sonorous peals to strike II. Under cover
of its echoes there were quick, soft steps
in the hall and the bolt of the outer door
was withdrawn. The huge ilue must
have acted like q telephone, for I heard
every sound with fearful distinctness.
First there was pause by the door of
the sitting room, then breathing in it.,
then whispering.
II heard Thomas distinctly, when he
said:
"'She isn't up; she's gone to bed; but
the money is in the library
"'Be cautious advised strange
voice, and We may not have to hurt
her.
''They carefully retreated and my
heart struck off the seconds against my
ribs i'll q way that was sufiocating, for
knew that their search would soon be
over and what then?
In less than five minutes they were
whispering in the room again.
"Confound hcr!" aspirated Thomas,
she took the money with her.
'"Then we'll have it if
"The pause meant all that words could
convey.
"The cold sweat was coming out of
every pore of my body. The dust of
the creosote had penetrated my mouth
and nostrils, and had to take one hand
from the rope in their absence and
place finger upon my lips to prevent
sneezing.
Come, hurry, was the angry watch
word exchanged between them, and 1
heard the stairs creaking as they ascend
ed to my chamber. Thomas was fa-
miliar with all the house.
"Why did not drop down and es-
cape outside?
"First, then, they had locked the
outer door and withdrawn the key to
prevent surprise from without. Sec
ondly, there might he third confeder-
ate outside. But the most important
reason of all was, it seemed to me, that
l could never get out of the aperture
that had allowed me entrance into the
chimney. ran the risk of discovery
and death in any case.
"Oh, why did not my father and his
companion return? It might he hours.
''They had found me absent from my
chamber and the adjoining rooms
They no longer used extreme caution.
They hurried from one apartment to
the other. I could feel the jar of mov-
ing furniture and closet doors were
opened hastily. The upper part of the
house was ransacked and then they
came down stairs upon the run. Time
was precious to them now. With dire
f,1J rafIc tl,nu A., 1o,,o,.