West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-05-16

'N'iNN' SIuniNs II VIII give the mouse
to be an orphan asylum, and leave the
silver and everything else TO the Home
Tor Decayed Gentlewomen. Ii will be
better there than with common crockery
on Farmer Darrers table"
AT this moment Alice entered, bearing
the tea tray, an office which she had
taken upon herself in order that Nancy
might have liberty to visit her sister.
She was a slight girl, with a fair, sweet
face, and gentle, appealing look, CON
trasting with Miss Mavericks determined
expression. She did not look happy.
How could she, when she knew that 60
give herself To the man she loved would
be to estrange from her the only relatives
from whom she had found kindness and
affection7
Alice poured out the tea, and the ladies
had just helped themselves TO toast and
marnalade, when Miss Myra gave slight
scream and pointed TO the window opposite
which she was seated
There between the curtains appeared
mans face, and as they looked he nodded
and beckoned
"For heavens sake, Alice" said Miss
Maverick, startled, "Sec who it is and what
he wants."
The girl raised the sash slightly, but be-
fore she could speak, the man-who was
leaning over from the porch-stoopcd and
said, in low and hurried voice:
Don't be alarmed. lama policeman,
and come TO let you know that there arc
burglars on your premises. Let us in
quietly, SO rs not TO ALARM
Miss Myra sank pale and trembling on
sofa. Her sister, seizing n lamp in one
hand and with the other firmly clutching
Alice's arm, went TO the hall door and
quickly unlocked il.
Two men stepped in-one dapper and
well-dressed little man, and the other tall
and stalwart, wearing rough overcoat with
a large cape.
The moment he passed the threshold, he
turned the key and withrdew it from the
lock.
"They won't escape by this way" he
muttered, and cautiously followed the
ladies into the room they had just left.
Here he opened his overcoat, displaying
policeman's shield and uniform, and
again buttoned IT,
81 am Sergeant Angus, he said, speak
ing in the same low and cautious tone.
This gentleman-Mr. Martin-has just
informed me that he saw two men enter
your house awhile ago"
by the cellar window in the side
yard, replied Mr. Martin, who looked a
little timid and uneasy.
Sergeant Angus nodded and again adj
dressed Miss Maverick:
at is possible the servants may have
let them in
"Oh, dear, no! We have only one
our cook---and she was sent for an hour
ago to see Il sick relative"
The Sergeant smiled--a peculiar smile.
That's an old trick, taking oneself
out Of the way to avoid suspicion Twill
warrant, ma'am, the servant has n hand
in this matter. Probably she knows
where you keep your yaluables, and has
posted her accomplices. 1t is just there
that we can best trap them. have a
man at the rear and will let him in"
Miss Maverick was shocked and alarmed
out Of her self-posscssion.
81 would never have dreamed IL Of
Nancy. But it's the silver they're after.
Part Of it is here, as you see, and the rest
in the closet Of my room, locked in an
old leather trunk. / wouldn't lose it for
the world. Oh"
''Pray be quiet, ma'am!" said the
Sergeant, almost authoritatively, cor
/ they will hear you and take the alarm.
, which is your roomT'
"The one over this"
"Hist!"
lie held up his hand and listened.
81 think ] hear sound overhead
They arc probably at the 'oset Now.
ladies, whatever happens, keep perfectly
quiet. Mr.. Martin will stay by you, il
| you object TO being left alone"
He examined a pistol which he took
from beneath his coat, then softly left
/ the room.
/ Mr. Martin looked around.
Hadn't you better put that silver out
Of the way he suggested "and any
valuables that you have within rcach?"
/ Certainly. Why didn't think Of it7'
said Miss Maverick, all Of tremble.
And while Alice attended Miss Myra
/ with vinegar and water, the elder sister,
with Mr.. Martins assistance. tied up the
silver in table-cover and thrust il out
Of sight under the valence Of the big
chintz-covcred sofa
Then she opened n writing desk, and
TOOK ont a roll Of bills, which she thrust
I deep down into her pOckct-adding TO
them her own and Miss Myra's mourning
breastpins and rings
Next, she seized upon the family Bible
and various photographs which hung
above the mautlc-piecc, and with her
treasures thus secured. stood rigid and
alert prepared for the worst
Ten minutes Of dead silence ensued
| Then they heard q step, heavy but eau
tious, coming down the stairs. u crossed
the hall, and entered the room next that
in which they were.
A moment after there was a sound Of
mufilcd voice
Mr.. Martin started up, and hastily
motioning TO the ladies 10 follow, Vlidcd
out Of the room.
In her fright, Miss Maverick forgot
even the precious silver under the sofa.
and laden with the rest Of her treasures.
while Alice supported the limp and
trembling form Of Miss Myra stumbled
out into the pitch dark hall
At The moment some ono rushed past
fhern Nffeo MorrrfrL ,.rae ,.,,rI,l .-..r.f.