Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-07-14

awhile. Dear friend, the cord. "
The last words were addressed to
the masked woman, who up to this
time had been mere looker-on, but
who now started into sudden activity.
She placed Margaret with her back
to large iron pillar which supported
the ceiling, and then, producing from
some hidden pocket coil of long, thin
cord, she proceeded to tie Margaret
firmly to the pillar.
Her arms were left at liberty till the
last, when they were bound together
at the wrists with n band of some
strong woven stuff, which held them as
securely as if they had been riveted
there.
You see, l would not cause you un-
necessary pain, said the courteous
burglar, when all was made fast "and
to have fastened your arms down to
your sides for a couple of hours would
have been the refinement of cruelty.
but one point still remains. You
must give me your word of honor that
you will not cry out, nor in any way
call for assistance while here; other
wise l shall be under the unpleasant
necessity of having you gagged
81 give you my word, ossented the
doorkeeper's daughter, after moment
of silent thought, mot to cry out while
l remain here.
She began to breathe more freely
when they left her to herself, as they
now at once did, with no other com
pany than the tiny, faintly-burning gas
jet already mentioned, by which she
could Just make out the familiar features
Of the old-fashioned but richly-fur-
nished private Office of the banker
brothers.
A few desperate efforts to free her
self only served to convince her of their
futility. Then she resigned herself to
her bonds and began to think.
She knew that before a single dollar
in the BangshOw Brothers strong box
could be touched the burglars would
have to force open two iron doors OF
immense strength, and knowing but
little of the modern improvements in
the science of HOUSEKEEPING, she made
no doubt that these doors would prove
impregnable to oil attempts.
Many dreary minutes passed and
her cramped attitude and the tightness
Of the cords that bound her gradually
caused her such intense pain that she
could scarcely refrain from crying out ;
Suddenly, in the midst of her tor
ture, a thought flashed into her brain
that left no room for anything else
but surprise and delight. There right
before her eyes was suddenly revealed
to her at one glance a sure and speedy
mode of escape.
The piller to which Margaret was
tied was within a short yard OF the
desk that had been broken open; and
right upon the edge of this desk was
the upright gas pipe from which
sprang the small jet, still burning, OF
which mention has already been made.
By stretching out her arms Mar
garet could hold her wrists directly
over the desk and let tho flame burn
away tho band by which they were
bound together.
She knew the terrible scorchlng that
1t would inevitably cost her, but she
did not hesitate an instant She ut
once thrust out her hands with swift
movement, and 80 held them extended,
while the jet OF blush fame played on
ner wrists and the bands that secured
them.
She shut her eyes, held her breath,
locked her teeth, and her eyebrows
came together in wreathing frown of
supreme anguish.
Over and round the delicate skin
and beating pulse the scorchlng fire
snake wound and wound, with its
soaring bite, its excruciating embrace,
and presently the encompassing band
burst into fame. Even then she did
not falter. though it seemed that her
very soul would shrek forth from its
tenement
Tn few moments-moments that
seemed hours-the blazing hgature
gave way. Her hands we're free but
blackened, blistered, almost cindered'
they fell helpless to her sides Then
she gave a great sigh and almost
tainted.
But the returning knowledge OF her
peril and of the great work she had set
out to do (her fathers situation IN the
bank might depend upon itl' renewed
her, and with great effort she began
to pull herself together.
In spite of the pain in her wrist she
began with nimble fingers to loosen
one of the knots in the cord by which
she was fastened to the post. lhis
offered no great opposition TO ner
efforts; and the first knot loosened'
the rest quickly followed.
IL