Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-11-06
1alfs and skftfhes.
IN A FLASH.
Continue; from yesterday.

i When this was done. it seemed as II
everything possible had been done; and
vet il was next to nothing With both
hands pressed TO nv eyes, stood thinking
as seemed never to have thought before:
/ Then it was that-as sudden, swift and
startling as one of those flashes which
were momently lllumining the outer world
an idea shot through my brain which
F. for an instant or two seemed to cause my
heart to stand still. And yet at the first
blush il was an idea that had about 1t
something 80 preposterous, so iudicrous'
even. that had the need been at all less
imminent. should have discarded it at
once as little better than the inspiration OF
a mad woman. But, preposterous as the
idea might seem. for the life of me
could think OF no other, and every minute
now was invaluable. There was no time
for hesitation. | must discard it or adopt
it. and that without moments delay.
'.I will try it; it can but fail" | said to
myself. with an inward groan.
On the toilet table was jar of white
tooth powder. which had been replenished
the previous day. | shook out quantity
of this powder, shut my eyes. and pro-
ceeded to rub it thickly over my face. arms
and hands. That done. drew the white
coverlet off the bed, and draped myself
! with it loosely from head TO foot; then
unbound nv hair, which in those DAYS
was ebon black and reached below my
/ waist. and shook it round nv face and
/ over nv shoulders in 'most admired dis
order" | was now ready for the role l
had made up my mind to enact.
( Bessie has told me since that she thought
| had taken leave OF my senses. just at
the moment my toilet was completed, and
as turned and advanced toward her, an
other long, quivering flash lighted up the
room. A low shrek burst involuntarily
4 from nv sisters lips. and she shrank away
/ from me as though | was something alto
| gether uncanny.
/ 20 Barbara, dear what is the matter?"
she cried. why do you frighten me so ?'
! 1T is not you ] want to frighten. but
the men down stairs" Ireplied. Then in
a few hurried words | told her my plan.
| She would have tried to dissuade me !;
/ but there was no time to listen. Leaving
her there watching by the window, ready
/ to raise an alarm in case the mounted
constable should pass on his round stole
swiftly and noseessly down the carpeted
staircase. and only paused when reached
the corridor below. | could hear the sub
dued murmur OF voices, and moment
later was startled by noise of falling
glass The burgulars had succeeded in
effecting an entrance. They and were
only separated by the drawing room door,
which, although locked, was an obstacle
that a very few minutes would suffice to
breath | sped quickly past the door along
Al. g.l, L., 7 hn1
the opposite end, where there were two
more doors one of them being that of my
brothers office, which also was locked
and from the lock of which | now with
drew the key. | have omitted to state
that the window of Johns Office was
secured by two stout bars, which was
probably one reason why the thieves had
chosen to effect an entrance at a point
more readily adapted for their purpose
The second door at the end ofthe corridor
shut off short passage leading 10 the
kitchen. This door succeeded in open
inc without noise. | had decided to take
nv stand little way on the inner side of
it. and there await the course of events.
Bv tais time the men were busily at work
forcing the lock of the drawing room
door. A thin thread of light which shone
from under the door showed that
although the lightning was as frequent as
before. they did not find it sufficient for
their purpose.
Scarcely breathing. | waited, | was
too excited, too wrought up, the tension of
my nerves was too extreme TO allow of any
personal fear 1t was all terribly real,
vet with a strange, vague sense of unreal
ty undertaking it. felt as if | should
not have been surprised had | woke up
and found the whole affair resolve Itself
into a dream, while vet fully assured in
my mind that it was nothing OF the kind.
Suddenly the noise at the door ceased the
lock had been forced. The thread of
light disappeared for few moments, all
was silence the most profound Then a
faint creaking, which at any other time
would have been inaudible, told me that
| the drawing door was being opened
and that the crucical moment had come.
pressed one hand over my heart, and fol
few bret seconds an almost overpower.
r ing desire seized me to get back to my
room at any cost and lock myself within
But it was too late by this time the mer
were in the corridor. knew it, although
. could not see them.
p Where's the door we want ?" heard
one whisper to the other.
''On the right-the first door we come
. to-"
As they advanced step. did the
I same
What noise was that p" asked one O.
. them quickly.
Don't be fool. There was no noise.
81 tell you there was. Where's the
e glim?"
But the lightning was quicker than the
bull's-eve. 1t came. shifting the darknes.
and flooding the corridor with the blind
I ing intensity of its glare. Then saw the
! men. and the men saw me, but darkness;
had hidden us from each other again be
fore they had time to make sure that theil
= eyes had not deceived them.
e One of them gave a gasp and whispered
! to his mate what was that tall white
: thing at that end OF the passageP Seemed
to me like ghost"
. Ghost be dashed There ain'tno suct
l. things. Here's the glim. Wen soon see
h what it is" As he spoke the light of hi
: bull's-eye lantern was turned full upoi
e me
advanced couple of PAGES, and th,
!, men tell back in speechless surprise ant
|, terror. have often tried since to pictur,
i to myself the appearance | must hav,