The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-06


said he, consulting the -d,ning-room
clock. II can stay n little longer. Have
you got anything to eat? I'm hungry
as an Indian"
"Oh, yes" said Mrs. Beveridge, her
heart futtering with hope that she
could detain the monster until some of
the male servants should return and
capture him. "There are cold meats,
preserves, good bread and butter.
pickles.
''By Cory" interrupted the burglar,
his mouth watering, you're real nice
woman. I'LL try some of your ,victuals.
Hustle 'em right on
Lighting small hand lamp, Mrs.
Beveridge led the way into the pantry
and began to prepare a luncheon for
her grisly visitor. The burglar imme-
diately addressed himself to the edibles
with gusto. AT every other mouthful
he complimented "the lady," as he
called her, upon the excellence of the
"grub."
But" he ventured, sit would go bet
ter if had something to wash it down.
Now, you don't mean to tell me you
amt got some nice old brandy?"
YES" replied the handsome widow,
who had been obliged to seat herself on
the opposite side of the table. "Dut
would you not prefer some wine? We
have in the cellar vat of pomcgranate
which my husband imported from
Spain"
Mrs. Bcvcridgc picked up the hand
lamp, and saying: Bring that silver
tanlsnrd on the buffet" led the way to
the cellar. The burglar followed, hav-
ing left the bag of valuables on the din
ing-room table. Tho stairs were spiral
in construction, and after they reached
the cellar floor there were several dark
and winding passages to traverse be-
fore coming to the wine watts.
where the devil are you leadin' me,
anyhow" qucried the burglar. There
was note of suspicion in his tone
"A few more steps will bring us to
the wine chamber" said she, with no
sign of the agitation she felt Here is
the vat of pomegranatc."
Yes, and it smells like n big bou-
quot of posics," slid the burglar, as he
stopped over the edge of the vat to dip
mp u full tanllard of the sparkling
vintage.
Now was Mrs Bcvcridges moment!
She had been waiting for it with in
credible self-possession. With all her
might she pushed the cause of her
nights torment and alarm head fore
most into the wine vat. The burglars
body and head were completely sub
merged, but she did not pause to watch
his struggles. Blowing out the light,
she cautiously but speedily made her
way through the cellar and gained the
spiral steps. Mounting them in panic
stricken haste, she closed and locked
the door communicating with the
kitchen and placed against it several
pieces of furniture as an additional bar
ricade
For several minutes she heard no
sound of the I:.an she had SO clcyerly
imprisoned. Then she heard his voice
family from below. He had managed
to climb out of the vat and was trying
heard him tottering up the ee Stars, fs are
~ roaring with rage and uttcring the
most furious explosives.
Suddenly the burglar reached the
landing behind the cellar door, on which
he began to thump and pound and kick
with all his vigor, course he would
vary by begging to be let in, promising
he would offer no violence and that he
would leave the house without taking a
single article of the plumber he had
gathered together.
For two hours Mrs. Bevcridgc re-
manned in the kitchen watching and
praying for daylight and assistance.
Worn out by fatigue and excitement
she finally lapsed into 4 faint, in which