Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-02-03


hidden by the turn, and, slipping out
through a very small aperture-for l
was afraid the door might creek II
opened widely got safely to where
Charley stood. He had not heard me
move, and he started when he saw me.
What splendid ghost you make.
Bah! You really half scared mel" he
said.
'Oh, Charley" whispered anxious
ly, did you hear what the wretches
said about the diamonds? What can
we do? Do let me call Markham.
"It's no good now. dear-,t's too
late. Never fear though. They shall
not pass me, even if they try, which L
doubt if they will when they see me.
At any rate, can defend myself-look
here;" and he drew a pistol from some
part of his clothing.
'Oh, Charley, don't kill them-pray
don'tn'
Not /, dear. Even If fire, shall
take care only to disable them. Don't
stay if you are frightened. pet. You
can easily get away now. Hark how
merry those fellows arel'-ls bursts OF
smothered laughter came from the
pantry.
As il l would leave him to face the
danger alonel But that was Charley all
over. He never thought of himself.
"Of course l shall not leave you,
Charley" answered.
"Very well; then go back to your
post. You will judge what is the
proper time to show yourself"
obeyed, and had only just reached
my hiding place when the pantry door
was once more opened, and out came a
most ruffianly- looking man, followed by
Jane. She looked back to say
''Put out the gas; we don't want 1t
now, and it will be safer.'
The man was step or two In advance
Of Jane beyond the door ofmy staircase
What attracted her attention will never
be known, but she glanced at the stair
case Of the western wing, and through
the partially opened door caught sight
of me, as l stood with faint light
shining upon me from the lamp which
was on the stairs behind me in the place
where | put it when l went to Charley.
With slnothered shrek she staggered
back against the wall. Her companion
turned upon her with savage oath.
"COme on there" he growled, "or
it Will be worse for you! What are you
stopping for?"
s'It's the ghost!" she moaned.
'Ghost? Gammonl Ghost or no ghost
you'll take me to find them di'monds.
Come, look alive!"
And, roughly seiZing her arm, he be-
gan to drag her TO the other staircase,
without looking in my direction But
somehow Just then the keys ] held In
conformity with my ghostly character
jingled, probably because | was trembl
ing with cold and fright combined. The
sound arrested the mans attention
Dropping James arm, he turned toward;
the western staircase, and at the samt
moment the other two came To the pan
try door which faced me.
With the courage born OF despair,
came gliding down the staircase with
cut makhw . uUnsR3, 1ln1ks 60 zr !,
wooIlen boots. For one second the
men glared at me as though paralysed,
while Jane, in hoarse voice, said
Its the ghost OF the west wingl"
81 hain't afraid sf ghosts." said
James tyrant, with a terrible oath,
dead men tell no tales" he added
significantly; and there was murder II
his face.
1 felt as if should die; but sount
from the other staircase caused all eye
TO turn towards it as l reached thu
| bottom stair. There was yell or hor
ror. and, dropping everything they
carried, away the men flew, helter'
.kelter, with Charley after them in ful
! chase.
Away they went, through one cella1
into the other, which opened into "th'
wilderness. A rush of cold air told
me that one at any rate, had reached
the door. Jane, apparently paralySe,
by fear. could not get away so fast a
the men. With a piteous cry, Tom
help mel" she seized the coat OF tn
man who had been so rough to her
| But the rufIian shook her off, and sh
fell to the ground with a wild scream
as Charley rushed past her. Then cam
the report of a pistol, followed by !;
groan, as the last man disappeared II
the darkness outside.
1 had Joined Charley in the cellar b.
this time.
"I've winged one of the wretches,
he said, $50 dare say he will be caugh
But don't care much how it is, as tn
booty Is saved. We have got this wo
man too. l dare say she will turl
Queens evidence. l must get thes
togs off-they are so hot"
As he spoke he sluDg OF part OF hi
hideous disguise. appearing in coo
costume of shirt sleeves. Then h
looked about for some rope, saying b
would tie the woman's arms and leg
lest she should escape.
The wretched creature lay as she fe
neither speaking nor moving. Though
she was probably too frightened t
speak which was hardly TO be wonders
at. She must by this time have dis
covered that we were flesh and blood
but she was in an awkward position
Charley found some rope, and boun
James wrists and ankles. She mad
no resistance, but kept quite still.
s.Don't leave her here, Charley"
urged; sit is so fearfully cold. She WI
be safe in the kitchen"
''All right; don't wish to be cruel
though she does not deserve any mercy,
he said; and he lifted her and carrie
her along the passage to the kitchen.
There we found the gas alight, an
there was blazing fire, with kettle
singing merrily. On the table wer
preparations for a sumptuous rep1st.
"well," eJaculated Charley, "lf eve
heard of anything so cool as thi:
How balked the fellows must feel, hay
ing lost their support"
At this idea we laughed merrily. BIT
our laughter died away when we glanc
ed at James face. She was positivel
CHASTITY, with livid look l had nevt
seen before, and evidently insensible.
"Good heavens Charley cried,
he looked first at me, and then at Jam
whom he had laid upon the hearth-ru
in, front of the fire.
"What is it, Charleyf Tell mel"
urged.
II think she's deadp' he said hu
k'ly.
''Oh, Charleyr' waited moment
then asked. "Did YOU shoot her?"