Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-10-09

morning VIC MSAS oSoeO& AN WIZ S-"0
room, discussing an important matter.
A iar-away cousin of Aunt James had
been a collector of rare jewelry and
plate, and had left his valuable treasures,
the result of years of purchase and selec-
ton, to her.
"And the whole lot has been sent
here" said Aunt Jane. 81 am not
coward, but l have let it be we'll under
stood in Westonville that never keep
money in the house, have very little
plate and few Jewels. There is nothing
discourages burglar more than GER
tainty that there is nothing 10 steal"
.Does any one knowl" asked.
ssThe editor Of the WestOnvillc Ga
se,te published the whole story on Satur'
day. He must have seen some OF the
servants who heard us talking over the
lawyers letter"
'I'll run up to the city aud arrange to
send the boxes to safe-deposit COM
pany," said.
500! Go now! You can come back
on the $780," said Susy. 81 shall not
sleep wink if they stay here. Oh"
and her very lips were white, "if Saw
burglar. 1 believe l should die"
And looking into her white, terrified
face, I believe SO too, although Ssron ma
SAID, loftily:
"What nonsense you do talk, Sasy."
But, Aunt Jane consenting, I went
upon my proposed crranl, arranged to
have the boxes seat for the following
day, and was on my way to the depot
when met al old friend and patient.
The ten minutes chat that followed cost
me the loss of the $3.50 train. Not
another one stopped at Westonville, ex-
cepting the midnight express, uatil the
next day.
Frctting, reproaching myself, lpassed
the time as best could until midnight,
nv heart sinking at the thought of the
three lonely ladies at Westonville. There
was but one man on the place, and he
slept in a room over the stable. What
if any thief attempted to obtain the valu-
able boxes piled in the hall! Serena
could be trusted to be cool and col
lected; Aunt Jane was no. timid; but
Susy-poor little Susy!-she would die
she said; and l feared she would. As
the train sped on, this thought Of SusyS
terror became almost maddening; and
when. at last, was at the little waysidc
station, quarter of mile from Aunt
James, I started on a run for the house.
The hall-door stood open, and | heard
q sound in the sitting-room that seemed
TO chill the blood in my veins. Throwing
open the door, saw Susy-little SuSy!
-clingiDg at the throat Of man roughly
dressed, who held Aunt Jane in chair,
while he tried to shake of Susy's arms,
at the same time keeping Aunt Jane
down. Serena lay in dead faint on the
floor.
"You shall not hurt her!" Susy cried,
her slender arms strained to choke the
sufferer. "Les 90, you wretch! I'll kill
you"
One blow OF the top Of his head from
nv heavy walking-stick brought the fel-
low down iusensible. Susy dropped her
arms and stood white as death, but per
fectly calm, facing me.
"Can you find me rope to tie this
fellowl' asked.
She nodded, sped away, aud returned
with a coil Of clothes-line.
"Listenl' she said, speaking quickly.
"There is another one in the china
closet, locked in. He is 'rying to kick
the door down. Do you see, this is
Jamesp
James was the one man-servant Aunt
Jane employed. Tying him firmly,
gave my next attention to Aunt Jane,
whose whole face was covered with blood
from wound In the head. Knowing
how the sight of blood always sickened
susv. I tried to keep her back, but she
said, quietly:
"Tell me, please, what you want and
how to help you"
I sent her for water, rags, laudanum,
and while we bound up Aunt James head
and restored her to consciousness, Serena
came to her senses and sat up, white and
Snaklug.
"oh, Susy, that man will kick the
closet door downp she cried, as the
blows from the next room became more
violent.
1t seemed as if he would, and started
to quiet him, when Susy grasped my
arm.
sDon't open the doorI' shc said.
ssThere may be more than one man there.
You see, we were all sitting up here,
hoping you would come on the midnight
train, but Aunt Jane had not told James
TO 70 to the station because she thought
YOU had rather walk up than have US
alone. So | suppose James thought you