The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-03-07

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 point
more readily adapted for their purpose.
The second door at the end of the corridor
shut off a short passage leading to the
kitchen. This door [ succeeded In opening
without noise. I had decided to take my
stand little way on the inner side of it,
and there await the course of events. By
this time the men were busily at work
forcing the lock of the drawing-room door.
A thin thread of light which shone from
under showed that although the lightning
was still as frequent as before, they did not
find it sufficient for their purpose
Scarcely breathing, | waited. Twas too
excited, too wrought up; the tension of my
nerves was too extreme to allow of any per-
sonal fear. 1t was all terribly real, yet
with strange, vague sense of unreliabilIty
underlying it. felt as if | should not
have been surprised had [ woke up and
found the whole affair resolve itself into a
dream, while yet 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 disap-
peared; for a few moments all was silence
the most profound; then faint creaking,
which at any other time would have been
inaudible, told me that the drawing-room
door was being opened and that the critical
moment had come. / pressed one hand
over my heart, and for few brief seconds
an almost overpowering longing seized me
to get back to my room at any cost and
lock myself within. But it was too late;
by this time the men were in the corridor.
/ knew it, although | could not see them.
'sWhere's the door we want p [ heard
one whisper to the other.
s'On the right--the first door we come
to" q 4sid9 o1
As they advanced step, | did the same
ssWhat noise was that" asked one of
them quickly.
"Don't be a fool That was no noise.
"T tell you there was. Where's the
glim y
But the lightning was quicker than the
bull's-eye. 1t came, shifting the darkness
and flooding the corridor with the binding
intensity of its glare. Then | saw the
men and they saw me, but darkness had
hidden us from each other again before
they had time to make sure that their eyes
had not deceived them.
One of them gave gasp and whispered
to his mate: "What was that tall, white
thing at the end Of the passage? Seemed
to me like ghost.
"Ghost be dashed There amt no such
things Here's the glim; well soon see
what it is !" AS he spoke the light Of his
bull's-eye lantern was turned full upon me-
| advanced a couple of PAGES, and the
men fell back in speechless surprise and
terror. l have often tried to picture to
myself the appearance l must have pre-
sented when seen at such a moment and by
that uncertain light, with my CHASTITY,
death-like face, my dilated eyes, my black,
snake-like locks, my tall figure all in white,
and with one extended arm and finger
pointed directly at the men. | cannot
wonder at their fright.
At this juncture came another flash and
a terrible peal Of thunder startled the air
and shook the house. At the very instant,
impelled thereto by something within me
that | was powerless to control, burst
into a wild peal of maniacal, blood-curdling
laughter. One step nearer advanced; but
that was enough With yell of terror
the men turned and fed by the way they
had come. I heard crash of shattered
glass, and after that l remember nothing
more till I came to my senses, to find
Bessie supporting my head on her lap and
pressing her smelling-salts to my nose.
But Johns ninety pounds were saved,
and it is hardly necessary to add that
Dethel, the ex-gardner, was never seen in
those parts again.