Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-04-11

Margaret Lee is in the Vault" she
said, excitedly.
"No; l saw Miss Lee come out before
closed it."
''she ran back. Fear her! Open it
at once, please"
"Rut<I cannot. The combination is
set, and do not know it," he said, gag.
ing at Janet in growing uneasiness.
"Where is Mrs, -lAdams1" cried Janet
to the girls who were gathering near.
"Ste hasn't gone home, has she2 Bring
her-quick! Margaret is shut up in the
safe!D
A chorus of dismay rose, while a num-
Ter of the girls hurried to seek Mrs.
Adams, who was the only employe who
knew the combination.
"Margaret." cried Janet, going close
to the door.
Eyes, Janet, here l ami"
80 Margaret, you're not frightened,
are you?"
''No,' Margaret replied; ''but why
| don't they open the doora''
"They will, in minute. You see,
the combinations sprung, and they're
bringing Mrs. Adams to open it."
81 hope she'll hurry"
"she's coming now Well have you
out at once.
Mrs. Adams, intercepted just as she
! was going out, was brought back in hot
haste. She uttered little scream when
she was told what was the matter.
"Why, l can't remember the combina
ton! Where's. Mr.. Barrow7 Where's
Mr.. Price!"
Quietly and firmly equal to the every
day demands upon her, Mrs. Adams
failed completely in the moment Of this
emergency. With another cry of dis
tress, she sank down IN hysterical con.
dition.
"Why, the girl will smother-she viii
die in therel" she exclaimed
"Where is Mr. Price2" Janet asked
in desperation.
"Mr. Price has gone TO lawn festi
val over in Elm Park" said Mr. Ives.
"Telephone to him, and tell him it is
life Or death whether he gets here i'm
mediately."
"Margaret!" again called Janet.
| "Yes?"
"Have patience a little longer, dear
There is delay in opening, but every
thing is being done to get you out
Courage, Margaret! Speak to metz
Janet" Margaret called, "tell Mr.
Ives"
Eyes, here am"
"I--I-I've found -
The voice SCENE d<to die awev.
"Go on, Margaret, screamed Janet
But no answer came, save an occasiona
gasping murmur, and Janet crouchet
upon the floor in speeches. agony
There seemed no hope. Mrs. Adam
was more hysterical than ever, and coul
recall nothing of the combination. Th
telephone rang, but Mr. Price could nc
be reached.
After the closing of the door, Mar "a
ret had turned and glanced about her
half-expecting to see some rays Of light
But the absolute blackness frightened
and oppressed her.
Il SHOW dark" she said II neve
!, really knew before what real darkness
/ is"
She heard Janet's call family through
the thick door, and after exchanging tn
first few words with her, waited wit
/ such patience IS she could summon.
The confusion of excited voices out
side very soon conveyed to her though
that her danger Of sufocation might b
greater than she had in the frst few
moments imagined.
= A slow terror crept to her heart, 6
, the sounds seemed to take on increase;
, agitation, and one or two screams reache
her strained ears Her heart-beats cam
slower, and her breath already SCENE
| difficult to draw.
Janet called again, and each one c
her reassuring words seemed to tell ane'
Of the fate which might be closing abou
her.
: 4 She guessed too well what the delf
must mean. She knew that Mr.. Barrow
SNY1t NJ