The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-10-15
A MIDNIGHT INVASION.

Madame Carrelle's school was remark
able institution, and the Madame was a
remarkable woman, l was of, what
Byron calls, the bread-and- butter-age,
therefore, did not appreciate these things
much; but l did appreciate the four
lovely girls who were my intimates. Yes
tella Raymond was my favorite.
shall never forget an incident related
by her brother
She and her mother lived alone on their
estate, and were one day alone in the
house-the servants being all out-when
n struggling ruffian entered the parlor
where they sat and demanded their money
and jewels.
Mrs, Raymond was paralyzed with fear.
Nestella fegned excessive terror; and
taking small box from her pocket,
she handed it to him with the key, saying:
eve were preparing for journey and
had packed our jewels. believe this box
contains them; will you open this and
see? My fingers tremble so cannot un-
lock it."
The man laid his pistols on the sofa for
the purpose of unlocking the box, when
Vestella snatched them up, and com
manded him not to stir hand or foot
1t was his turn to be appalled,, for there
was no installing the will flashing from
those eyes, and there was no trembling in
the finger that pressed the trigger.
He remained motionless.
In few moments the servants entered,
and he was secured.
This was Vestellas style, and she man
ifested it in various ways among us. But
the steely vigor of her character was
softcned and rendered lustrous by the
glittering polish of mirthfulness and
frolic.
Her merry conversation was our unfail-
ing antidote for homesickness. So cheer
full and affectionate, so warm-heartcd and
conlldng. And what sarcastic observa-
tons she would make, not exactly upon
men and things" but upon things in gen.
eral and the Madame in particular.
AT her instigation we five formed our
selves into a society for the mutual
discussion and preservation of all such
secrets as it seemed unadvisable to COM
municate to our many friends among the
other young ladies i'll the school"
Our rules provided that there should be
no reserve upon any subject between the
members; that any interview with a gen
tleman should be faithfully reported, and
all that transpired at said interview; and
tI,f ha, Of in,
should have her hair cut short and woven
into bracelets for the other four.
Vestella was a rogue, a mischief, a very
Amazon. She could skate, ride, swim,
and oh dear, l cannot mention half her
exploits. Yet when | remember how she
hung over me through the long nights,
when was racked with fever, away from
home and friends, how nearly she
filled the place of IL mother to me,
felt persuaded that, if the members of our
society had an opportunity to fall in love,
| she would be the first one to improve it.
The house was built in u style uncom-
mon in this country. Its popularity con-
sisted in two square towers upon the
! front-one upon each corner-giving it
the appearance of an Episcopa! church
| Nestela called it the double-barrelled
school house. The house proper was
three stories in height and the towers rose
/
of each story opened upon a broad veran-
dah extending across the front Of the
house and quite around each tower, and
| these piaZZas were supported one above
the other by slender pillars.
The upper story in each tower had
formerly been used as u deposit for old
| furniture and other rubbish, but when
Vestella entered the school her rambling
disposition led her into one of those rooms
and nothing would do but it must be
| fitted up for her occupation.
She had such a taking way with her,
and the increasing popularity Of Madame g
establishment had SO often forced upon
her mind the propriety OF shortly enlarg.,
ing her buildings, that Festelln carried
her point, and was installed in the tower
top"
It suited the society, for we could discuss
our secrets without danger OF being over
heard, and could vent the explosions OF
mirth which they often elected,
without risk of a visit from the hall.
teacher.
The lawns and gardens extended in
front of the house Tor u great distance
with great slope, terminating III circu
lar pond, surrounded by an artificial
grove. Ii was my delight in the aitsr
Moons, at such hours as were not required tc
be in our rooms, CT at recitation, To take
my book or fancy work, and slip away tt
the shade of the grape vines.
was seated here one afternoon when
, was startled by mems voices OH the o:hcl
side of the paling.
My first impulse was to run; but
thought, perhaps, might gather some
thing to report to tn society. caut!oGsl.
parted the vine leavt and pecped thrUugt
3 creak in the board
There were two ,ouug men, whom
recognized as members OF the toliegiat,
/ Institute. One OF them, Il tai ,raceIul4y
formed young fellow. with Il lauGhin!
blue eye, was conversing ana gesiicull u
ing with great animation.
81 can do i'll tell You can TO il;
will wager dozen baskets Of champaign
: that can do it"
, Ozone! !" exclaim(d the other, graspin
his hand. but no, on earth aye yoa t
t get up there
"Just as Cleth yles got into I'll
; chamber at Miss Kings. He chmLed Ii
| the pillars to the baiustrade III front G
the second story, then he had TO take tIi
water pipe to the third There was Il IL
tie projection there; he crept along tha
S and got in at the window. Now, this Is
nothing TO that"
But here there are four stories"
: A cold shudder orept over me and my
. heart beat so fancied they must hear It
for | began to have some idea of their in
+. tentions.
Yes, there are four: but just look al
, it. Here, you see" as he pointed toward
!, the tower, :. is broad piazza under eacf
row of windows-good resting places
the pillows are just The right size t
II climb. But was telling you about Cleth
:, He bet with Paul Fakes real savage
y jealous-tempered fellow, just as bet witt
5 you now. He got in and got out. and NJ
n one in the school ever knew It. He tool
" faithful note of everything, PARTICULAR.
C the features of the occupant He cut of
# one of her curls and carried it to Paul
He had no idea that Paul had the remotes
i acquaintance with any of the girls. Blu
o knew all the time that Paul had bee!
introduced to one of them. and had beel
i flirting desperately with her for 81!
: months Now, it happened that he
chamber was the very one. Cleth foun'