Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-09-22
stepped outside to get a drink.

And, then, when they were alone,
the success of their plot occurred to
them so forcibly that they stood for
long time discussing what had al
ready been done, and their plans for
as yet to come.
And now" Ella said, as they
turned into the great hall that ex-
tended from front to rear, dividing
the dormitory midway with door
at either side, 1--WE must keep quiet
until she-o
/" Bang bang! bang !"
A fusilade OF shots, a scuffiiDg OF
feet, chorus of shots and cries.
The two girls stopped shot in
their tracks.
A little scream broke from Mat
tie, but seemed frozen on her lips
with terror.
But Ella, whose courage seemed
always equal to the occasion, was
herself again in moment.
Gomez she said, grasping Mat
ties arm, 1--WE mustget into my room
before any one comes here.
But before they could move, a
man dashed into the hall, barehead.
ed, and with revolver in either
hand.
Glands up!' he ordered, on see
ing the girls, but before they could
comply-and indeed they were too
frightened to move-the man, who
was evidently as terrified as the girls
themselves, had sprang past them
and out at the other end of the hall.
They heard rapid footsteps ap'
preaching the front, and knew he
was pursued. And then, even Elias
heroic spirit seemed almost over
come. The walls seemed to spin
round her head like a whirlpool.
Darkness seemed to settle over her.
But with an effort, such as only a
nature like hers could make at such
a moment, she said. "We cannot
reach my ROOM"
They ran toward the door, but be-
fore they reached it--Ella Robinson
prayed that she might die where she
stood and be spared the misery and
humiliation that were to follow
there stood Leo Elskamp, holding in
either hand revolver leveled at her
breast.
Tall, straight, powerful, dark-eyed,
dark-haired he was, a man whom any
woman might love at the first sight.
Hold up your hands |" he order
ed. "None Of that, you scoundrelP'
Her trembling hand, he imagined,
was meving near her pocket to draw
a weapon. 6 Move that hand an
other inch and I'll fire."
Then for the first time, Matte
Norton found strength to speak.
Throwing herself at Elskamp's feet,
she moaned:
For the love of heaven, spare
her, Mr.. Elskamp! Don't you see
it's Ella Robinson? Think of her
poor, bereaved parents. Think OF
her mother! Spare her lifel Spare
her!"
And now, the bronzed cheek
which but a moment ago was flushed
with anger, blanched to the hue of
death /; the pistols dropped from his
hands, and Leo Elskamp staggered
against the door for support.
At the same time the night watch
man entered the hall by the front
door, and Miss Steele by the other,
while Margaret Fishers door opened
and she joined the group.
What in the world" began
Miss Steele, addressing the watch
man.
Keep away from him." the man
interrupted, for Miss Steele had ap.
preached the unhappy Ella. 4" He
robbed the office safe and shot at the
clerk, Miss Corboy. We chased
him in here"
Heaven pity me p moaned Leo
Elskamp, unconscious that anyone
was near to hear his anguish.
"Mr. Livingtonl' gaspcd Marga-
ret Fisher, regarding both Ella and
Matte with awakening suspicion.
Don't let him escaped" ratified
from between Miss Steele's tremb-
ing lips, as she stared helplessly at
Ella.
=" You bet / WON'T" answered the
watchman. "Just let him make one
move, and I'll shoot"
In her agony Ella heard nothing
but Leo Elskamp's words, saw moth
ing but that terrible expression in
his eyes as he looked at her and be-
lieved her guilty Of the burglary.
As the Waterman spoke, Leo turn
ed and abruptly left them.
Matte again put in her plea for
the life of her friend
/" It's Ella 70 she screamed, turn
ing to the Waterman Ella Robin
son. Please don't shoot her Mr..
Kelly. She's as innocent as you
are /"
"Ellal" cried Miss Steele and Miss
Fisher in chorus.
Mr.. Kelley almost dropped his
weapon. s
1--WE had many q thrilling expert
ence in this school. but this heats