The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-03

shake her resolve. Her only answer was
the repetition Of her determination never
to enter family without welcome.
The painful interview was ended at
last by Mrs. Ely's hurried entrance with
a message brought in hot haste from
Mrs. Melville. The squire had been
found unconscious on the floor of his
library, and the frightened wife had
sent for her son where past experience
taught her he could be found.
There were several days of grave anx-
iety for the family and much excitement
and sympathy among the neighbor.
Then for time all danger was over, and
Mr.. Melville, pale, broken and aged,
was seen driving about again. But it
was well known that the family doctor,
summoned by telegraph at the time Of
his seizure, had said that his life de-
pended upon an equabae, quiet routine.
Any sudden event or shock might be
fatal to him.
For a dozen years the great social
event Of the summer in Snowden had
been lawn party and evening dance at
Melville Court, given always on the
Fourth of July. Mr.. Melville enjoyed
overwhelming his country neighbors
with his magnifcence, 30 no expense
was spared on music, refreshments, dec
orations and fireworks. And even now,
while he was only pale shadow Of him
self, he insisted upon preparing for the
usual entertainment. c,ss
The only house of any pretension in
the whole pretty village where cards
were not left was Mrs. Ely's. Grace
Melville had run in at dusk one night to
make hurried protestation of her own
and her mothers innocence of the omis-
sion, and to tell her dear Lefty of Jacks
grief and rage, which had to be re-
strained because of the fathers critical
condition.
1t was clear, balmy Fourth of July.
Screened by the luxuriant vines which
veiled the parlor window, Lefty sadly
watched the guests go by, their faces
bright with the promise of pleasure in
which she could have no share.
Night fell darkly, with no light but
the soft gleam of stars. The fireworks
would have superb setting of black
ness. Heavy foliaged, low growing
trees, forming what the neighbors had
always called the grove, covered that
part..of Melville Court which touched the
widows garden. Creeping after night
fall under the dense shadow, Lefty stood
with black waterproof thrown around
her to obscure her white dress, and
watched the preparations for grand
pyrotechnic display. The music of the
band at first prevented her hearing any
other sounds, but when it ceased, and
the dancers poured out of the hall door
to join the guests who were crowded on
the terraces to watch the fireworks, she
was conscious of voices whispering very
near. Without the aid of her eyes she
knew that James, the new butler, was
one of the speakers.
Remember" he was saying hurried
ly, "you are not to let yourselves into
the little side door till you see that light
go out in that diamond shaped window
on the third floor. Keep your eyes on
that, mind"
can after we's got ourselves inter de
house how's we goin' to be sure we don't
run into nobodyy said brutal voice.
Because the moment the first fire.
cracker pops there won't be q living sin
ner from cellar to garnet that won't run
out to see the fun, that is, except Mr..
Melville. He amt near as well as no
thought he'd be. Everybody thinks he's
in the crowd somewheres, but I've Just
helped him into bed an must run back
to stay within call. Here's the key of
the missus' closet in the dressing room
an the key of Miss Gracie's bureau.
But you're not to go near the squire, it'll
be killing if you do, for a shock will be
his death"
Then James hurried off and Lefty list
ened, petri6ed, to a conversation which
showed that the two men near by were
quite aware that the squire's room, from
which they were warned off, contained
much the most promising booty, and
were not to be deferred from entering it
by any consideration for his life. On
the contrary, they planned to surprise
and threaten him with their pistols if he
did not surrender to them certain bonds
they believed to be in his private safe.
"Never, under any circumstances,
shall Lefty Ely enter this house again."
was the sentence the squire had pro-
nounced in reply to Grace's intercession
for her brothers sake, and now the
words were vividly present to Lefty as
she stole away from the grove, and
skirting the fence to the right, hastened
with the speed of deer to the house.
She entered into the hall by the back
way, flew up the stairs, ran along the
halls and into Grace's room. 1t was
empty; so was her mothers sitting room
beyond.
A quick step sounded in the distance.
1t was James going down the stairs. He
had been up to darken the diamond win
dow. From behind a portiere she
watched till he disappeared.
She fingered uncertainty, hardly know
ing what to do next. Should she run
down stairs again and out on the lawn
to summon help? Perhaps even in the
time she was gone the squire's room
might he invadad Rafora sha could