Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-12-04


to the DRESSING table. heard him
rather noiSily strike a match. then with
a lighted candle In his hand he once
more approached the bed. This time
he bent very low indeed, and felt the
heat of the II !me as he passed it softly
before my closed eyes. lay still how.
ever not movement, not hurried
breath, betrayed me.
heard him give short satisfied
sigh. Again, candle in hand he return
ed to the dressing-t table. Once more
I heard the clinkng sound o: ms
trinkets as they fell through his fin.
gers.
There was pause, and then-fOr no
reason that ever could eXplain-he
left the trinkets untouched on the ta-
| BILE. and went to the door.
lie opened the door and went out.
know not what he went for-perhaps
to fetch a companion, certainly TO re-
turn-but | did know that my oppor.
tunity had come.
In an instant quicker ti.an thought
had started from my feigned slum.
btrs / was at the door,I had b0lte1
md locked it. There were several
bolts to this old fashioned door, there
were even chains.
drew every bolt. made every rus
ty chain secure. was not an instant
too soon. / had scarcely fastened the
last chain, with frgers that Urembled,
before the thief returned.
He shw that he had been outwitted,
and his savage anger knew no bounds.
He kiched at the door, he called on me
wildly to open it lie assured me that
| he had accOmplices outside, that they
would soon burst the old door from its
hinges, aud my life would be the for
| felt.
J To my terror, l perceived that his
words were no idle boast. The old
door, secured by it's many fastenings
on one side, was weak on the other ;
its hinges were nearly eaten through
with rust they needed but some Wig
orous kicks to burst them from their
resting. places in the wood.
knew that I was only protected for
few minutes, that even if the thiei
was alone he had but to continue 10
assaiI the door as vigorously as he was
now doing for IA little longer, to gain g
fresh entrance into my chamber.
rushed To the window, threw up
the sash, and bent half out. Into the
clear calm air of the night | sent ny
strong young voice.
"Help. help Thieves = fire dan
ger help, help!'
l shouted these words over and over,
Int there was no response, except at
echo. My room looked in.o a distant
shrubbery : the hour was late, the
! whole household was IN bed.
The thief outside was evidently max.
ing way with the rusty hinges, and |
was preparing: at the risk of any con-
sequences, the moment he entered the
room to leap from the window, when
| heard dog bark.
| rednubled my cries. The bark oil
the dog was followed by footsteps
they came nearer. treading down fallen
branches, which cracked under the
welcome steps. The next instant 8
man came and stood under the window
and looked up at me. l perceived by
his dress that he was a Ylllager, prOba'
bly, taking short cut to his lrouse.
He stood under the window he
seemed terrified perhaps he took me
for the gh 'st. He was not, however,
all a coward, for he spoke.
"What is wrong ?'' he said.
"This is wrong" l answered 81
am In extreme danger extreme dan
gel. There is not a moment to lase.
Go instantly y-instanly, and wake up
the house, and say that |, Mrs. Craw-
ford am in extreme danger in the
Tapestry wing. Go at once-at oncer
spoke distinctly, and the man seem
ed to under stand He flew away, the
dog following him.
l instantly threw myself on my
knees, in the terrible moments that
followed l prayed as had ueyer pray
ed before. Would the man be in timei
Must my young life BE- sacrificed ? AhI
no. God was good. l heard joyful
sound the thief's attack on the door
ceased suddenly, and the next instant
the squire's hearty voice was heard:
LET me in, Honor What is wrong
child ?"
did let him In, and his wife, and
several alarmed. looking sci wants who
followed after.
We instantly began to look for the
thief, but mystery of mysteries-he
had disappeared.
The terrible man with the black hail
and white lock over his forehead bad
vanished as completely as though he