The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-06-05

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Maverick, grimly. III will give the house
to be an orphan asylum, and leave the
silver and everything else to the Home
for Decayed Gentlewomen. 1t will be
better there than with COMMON crockery
on Farmer Darrel's 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 to
give herself to the man she loved would
be to estrange from her the only relatives
from whom she had found kindness and
affections
Alice poured out the tea, and the ladies
had just helped themselves TO toast and
marmalade, when Miss Myra gave a slight
scream and pointed to the window opposite
which she was seated.
There between the curtains appeared a
mans face, and as they looked he nodded
and beckoned.
''For heavens sake, Alice" said Miss
Maverick, startled, 'see who it is and what
| he wantsl !"
The girl raised the sash slightly, but be-
fore she could speak, the man-who was
leaning over from the porch-stooped and
said, in low and hurried voice:
"Don't be alarmed. am policeman,
and come to let you know that there are
burglars on your premises. Let us in
quietly, so as not to alarm"
Miss Myra sank pale and trembling on a
sofa. Her sister, seizing lamp in one
hand and with the other firmly clutching
Alice's arm, went to the hall door and
quickly unlocked It.
Two men stepped in-one dapper and
well-dressed little man, and the other tall
and stalwart, wearing a rough overcoat with
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 buttonedi it.
~ am Sergeant Angus, he said, speak
ing in the same low and cautious tone.
''This gentleman-Nfr 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, mol We have only one
our cook--and she was sent for an hour
ago to see a 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 hand
in this matter. Probably she knows
where you keep your valuables, and has
posted her accomplices. 1t is just there
that we can best trap them. l have a
man at the rear and will let him in"
Miss Maverick was shocked and alarmed
out of her possession.
81 would never have dreamed it 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, ''or
they will hear you and take the alarm.
which is your roomW
"The one over this"
'Histw
He held up his hand and listened.
81 think | hear a sound overhead
They are probably at the 'oset. Now,
ladies, whatever happens, keep perfectly
quiet Mr. Martin viii stay by you, if
you object to being left alone"
He examined pistol which he took
from beneath his coat, then softly left
the room.
Mr. Martin looked around.
"Hadnt you better put that silver out
of the way" he suggested, 'and any
yaluables that you have within reach?"
] 'NtINdlulls w ny eiieih = NiAlhh VI ~.
said Miss Maverick, all of a tremble.
And while Alice attended Miss Myra
with vinegar and water, the elder sister,
with Mr.. Martins assistance, tied upithe
silver in a table-cover and thrust it, out
of sight under the valence of theibig,
chintz-covered sofa.
Then she opened a wrRing-desk, and
took out IA roll of bills, which she thrust
deep down into her pocket-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 mantle-piece, and with her
treasures thus secured, stood rigid and
alert, prepared for the worst.
Ten minutes of dead silence ensued.
Then they heard a,step, heavy but eau
tious, coming down the stairs. 1t crossed
the hall, and entered the room next that
they were.
A moment after there was a sound of a
mufiied voice.
MIR. Martin started up, and lhastily
motioning to the ladies to follow, iglided
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,