Nevada County picayune., 1886-06-09

opening of a window, but as All re- mained quiet afterward,, 1 put it down to my imagination, and went on trsnquilly with my work.
 After some time I was startled to hear a step, stealthy, but dis tinctly audible on tho landing out side, while under the door appear cd the shadow ofsome one moving.
 "PerhAps Mrs. Brown has re. turned" was the thought in my mind as l sat gazing at the door, but then I turned cold with fear, for the handle was turned softly, and . strange man looked ina young man, with . pallid, greasy, lesfng face, ornnmehted by a thievish looking twist of hair on ssch side, while limp cap of semi. military cut was stuck rakishly o6 the side of his head.
 I noticed these details mochani- cally as I sat petrified with surprise and fright, and I also noticed that his long dirty neck was without tie or collar, shabby frock coat be. ing buttoned up to his chin, aud that his dirtier hands sported moro than one ring.
 This invididual, after darting a swift glance around the room, slipped in and locked the door, saying:
 "slickw Popsy.vopsy, don't be frightened! Pm not going to hurt you-not a bit of it! But, you see -etop thatw he growled, as he approached mo. I recovered my. self . little, and save a good loud scream.
 Quick as thought he had his hand over my mouth, holding my chin and nose in suoh a manner that I was nearly sufOcated; then he gave me shake, saying:
 ''It you do that again, I'll pay you out, you little fool! There she is going to be nice and quiet now, ain't shef A pictsr of good behaviour, l calls her,"
 Talking thus, he gagged mo de1. terOusly with some of my work which, however, was pleasantcr than his hand-ugh, that grimy hand!-.en my mouth, and then producing some cord from his pocket, and in . minute or two l was-poor little feeble thing bound hand and foot in my chair.
 He grinned at me as he remark ed:
 "Now, yon know, ducky, I wouldn't have served you so if you'd have tho sense to keep quiet l never could bear to be rough to tue ladies-never! Bat time is short, and you might have been hard to persuade; SO perhaps, it is the best way after all."
 While speaking thus, the flip pant rascal kept running his eyes around our neat little room. l read disdsin ip his glance, and at that moment a suspicion dar:ed in. to my mind that he had come with the object of stealing some ofTed's wOrk-perhaps the jewsled brace. lets which were then under my feet. With this thought there came to me Q firm resolve to save my brother such a loss, if pOssi- ply could; sy, even though I had to endure tortures. ] would not speak. I set my teeth hard and watShed the man. His wandering glan&es soon reverted to me.
 "LOok here, dear, if loosen this cloth bit, and you take breath, will you speak to me nicelyi On ly don't scream again. It makes me quite nervous to hear you scream, and can't do no good" How we'll I knew that, in back room in . quiet street "There, siu't it much more comfortable r' loosening the cloth. Tell me now, popsy, your brothers got some vsllyblcs here, here, ain't hei"
 lshook my head.
 "Oh. but he has, so you needn't jog your noddle like that. Better toll nc where ne puts them. It will save lots of time, and be more pleasant for you."
 But I only shook nay head the more.
 Did you ever sec sich stubborn ness" mnttered the fellow, tying up my mouth again. "I'm afeerd I shall have to make you speak di-