Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-10-26

SHE robbed the Office sale and shot
at the clerk, Miss Corboy. We
chased him in here"
"Heaven pity mep moaned Leo
Elskamp, unconscious that anyone
was near to hear bis anguish.
"Mr. LISingtonw gasped Marga-
ret Fisher, regarding both Ella and
Matte with awakening suspicion.
"Doh't let him escape !" ratified
from between Miss Steele's tremb-
Ing lips, as she started helplessly
at Ella.
"YOu bet l won'p answered the
watchman. "Jdst let him make
one move, and I'll shoot"
In her agony Ella heard nothing
but Leo Elskamp's words, saw
nothing but that terrible expression
in his eyes as hs looked at her and
believed her guilty Of the burglary.
AS the watchman spoke, Leo
turned and abruptly left them.
Matte again put in her plea for
the life of her friend:
"It's Ella!" she screamed, turn
ing to the watchman-"Ella Robin
SOD. Please don't shoot her Mr..
Kelly. She's as innocent as you
are"
"Ella!7 cried Miss Steele and
Miss Fisher in chorus.
Mr.. Kelley almost dropped his
weapon.
"P,e had many thrilling *
perience in this school, but this
beats me-" he averrel
80 Miss, tnat accounts for the
young man l saw entering your
room," Miss Steele said in hard,
measured tones, turning her eyes
full upon Ella.
an .dam," said Ella, IN a tone
that commanded .he respect of
every one bat the inexerable Miss
Steele, 81 put on these clothes this
evening for no other purposes than
a joke, and deeply regret it. But
whatever the crime is that has
been committed, | am entirely in
nOcent.
"Did YOU say you followed her
directly here from the oflice!' Miss
Steele asked of Mr.. Kelley.
eyes, ma'am."
"There will be a crowd here in
moment. We will keep her in her
room over night and Miss S ee'e
led the way to Elias room.
Now" she SAID, with a terrible
glance at Matte Norton, as there
seems to be sOrt of partnership
between YOU, we will leave yOu
together over night. But let me
warn Won that both door and will
dow will be guarded, anil 1t will
not be well for You to make an at
tempt to escape"
And the two were left alon3 in
Elias room.
For full two minutes they stared
into each Others eyes without a
wOld.
Matte was the first to voice her
terror.
"Isn't it awful"
"Perfectly dreadful 70 Ella as
sented.
"And if he killed Miss CorbOy
they'll hang Us d-d-d-dead!'
Matte sobbed.
The sooner l d-die, the bet
bet better wIll-boO - hOo-Oo-
oo-oo" Ella was CRY ing for the
first time.
"And perhaps Mr.. Elskamp
won't never believe you're inno'
cent" cried the unsedsh Matte, as
she buried her face in her hands
"Will never, DEAR" Ella cor
rected, brushing away two great
tear drops that chased each other
down her flushed cheek.
The next moment there came a
rap at the door. 1t vas some time
t before Ella could summon the
strength to open it, bnt when she
= did, there stood ElSkamp.
Il beg pardon, Miss Robinson
lie said, stepping in withOnt wait
} Ing for an invitation, "0uJ have
! come to relieve your anxiety. The
robber has just been captured half {
, mile away with all the stolen goods
. on his person. | have seen all o
s those who heard of your escapadc
and they will keep tia secret. And
e 80 do not thlnk you have any
e thing to fear, more than perhaps
r private lecture in the morning from
It Madam. And Miss Norton il, o
e course, free now to 60 to berroom,
he added, smiling.
k Miss Norton surmiscd tn It he
]. freedom TO 20 amounted to
e special license for this case, an
n she soon awaited herself of it, i
% spite Of an appeaIlDg look fTOL