The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1895-03-29
| THIEF In The NIGHT.

| A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.
There was large party at the Chateau
| tic kerdall, near Names.
The Marquis de Kerdall and his young
! wife had just returned from tour of
the world on their yacht, during which
they had paid flying visits to Africa,
America and Oceanica, and they had Gel
"brated their homecoming by gathering
together all their friends and relatives at
their beautiful country house.
Among the guests was old DR.. Cornu-
huc. an iliuStriouS member of the Acad-
envy of Metaphysical Sciences, so orig
inal. 50 absent-mintled, so venerable in
his blonde peruke and his costume of the
fashion of 1850. Then there was Mme
dc Lartigues, an old school friend of the
marQ,rise, Il brilliant and ccquettish Pa
risirnne. And there was Miss Haw-
thornc. an English maiden lady with
youthful prownsities And there were
amusement to their hearts content at
ktruall.
Outside of the ordinary pleasures of
life. there WAS some unusual attractions.
In the first place the host and hostess
had seen and experienced SO much that
"VS loNtl lItI COLI
Hersatlcn was always fascinating. Then
the rooms of the castle constituted Il
veritablt museum, being stocked with
rare and curious objects from the two
continents. And. finally. a menageric
had been created in one corner Of the
park and stocked with the various ami
mails which NJ. de Ker,lall had picked M
during the voyage and brought back to
france tor the purpoSesOf acctima tiZation.
There were sazelleS. antclopes. Thibct
goats. Nile ibises, rose tlamingoes, opos-
sums, beavers and an Asiatic ape of the
nlndrill species. as mild as Il lamb, but
as miscellaneous as all his kind An iron
lattice sage had been built for him close
to the conservatory.
dali Was Il veritable Eden, but this fact
did not prevent little Nine. de Lartigues
from dreading the isolated position of
the place among the wide eNpanSc of
woods and fields.
Il should be afraid to live here all the
year round" she said.
Afraid of what, my dear?" asked the
oh. of robbers; they would fairly
revel here"
Robbers! In this mansion filled to the
caves with guests and servants! Every
boo Knocked at the young woman, and
old DR.. Cornabuc told horrible stories
about burglars and assassins until Nine.
de Lartigues. ashamed of her chimerical
fears. was the first to laugh, and when
the retiring hour came, she mounted to
her sleeping apartment OF the second
floor supplied with a goodly stock of
hercism. Within short time all the
occupants of the chateau were in the
land of dreams.
How long Nine. de Lartigues slept she
knew not. She was awakened by Il rat
J,<~r, :.1~ r.
half opened on account of the heat.
What was her terror when, in the fec
bic starlight she saw a form climbing
noiselessly through the window. She
tried to scream. but her throat was
rarched with fright, and she could not
utter sound.
The man had entered the chamber
Then the poor woman hastily buried her
her head beneath the bedclothing. Half
turnal visitor going and coming across
the carpet with mutfled steps. 1t seemet :
as though he must have removed his
shoes in order to tread softly.
Bathed with cold perspiration and her
teeth chattering she awaited the mortal
blow from the invader. But it did not
come.
After about quarter of an hour she
timidly peeped out She could see and
hear nothing. Slightly treasured she
recovered the use of her voice, and
started il. series of shrcks, 50 sharp,
piercing and terrible that in an instant:
the entire chateau was turned topsy-
turvy. Everybody rushed into her cham
Der with lights in their hands, NJ. and
Nine. de Kerdall at the head.
What is it? What's the matter?' they
cried
She recountcd her horrible vision. They
would not believe her; she had been
dreaming. Who would have climbed into
this chamber so high above the ground,
without ladder?
did you see him plainly?" asked the
marquis, with touch of suspicion in
his voice.
las plainly as 1 see you; and it even
seemed She hesitated.
"Whaty'
1T seemed as though I could recognize
DR.: Cornabuc in his blonde wig and
rCdingotc.'
Everybody laughed. What! Dr.
Cornabuc! A man of his age and char
actpr scaling windows at midnight! 1t
was certain now that Nine. I.artigues
had been dreaming. They tried to dis
sipate her fear. and she was just about to-
persuade herself that she had been the
victim Of an hailucination, when she hap
pened TO cast her eyes upon the bureau
where she had left her jewels.
They were gone! 1t had truly been a
robber!
The laughing suddenly ceased and they
looked at one another in CONSERVATION.
All at once another cry was heard.
a piercing shrek coming through the
stiffness Of the night: 1t appeared to ema-
nate from Miss HawthOrne's chamber
There was rush for her apartment and
the English lady was found standing in
the middle of the room, with frightened
eyes.
'"rhere! therev' she cried. pointing to
the window: "a man! He escaped, but
l recognized him.
"Who was it?'' '..
"Dr. COrnabuc!'
The doctor again! This time nobody
laughed. COrnabuc was looked for
among the persons who had been at
tracted by the excitement: but he was
not there. He was the only occupant of
the chateau who was missing.
Come. let us go to the doctors room,"
said the marquis, knitting his brows.
'He will doubtless solve the mystery for
u.s.
All followed Kerdall-the men half
dressed, the women in their white night
robes, all carrying candles-a weird pro-
ccssiOn.
Upon. the entrance of the crowd the
doctor hurriedly wrapped himself in the
alone being visible over the top. and the,
convulsed by anger into a comical grim
ace. The candle-lght was reflected from
his bald pate, which shone like old ivory.
rs this some ill-timed joker he
stormed. What is going on? Is the
chateau on fire.. heard terrible cutlery
and was just about to inquire into it,
You must come and join us, DOCTOR"
said Kerdall.
''And how shall I do it?' cried the
doctor, furiOusly. "SOme rascal has run
off with my clothing and in exchange he
has left me this and he savagely hurled
a white object into the middle of the
room.
my corsats!'' murmured Miss Haw-
thorne, modestly lowering her eyes.
And this!' continued the doctor, wild
" brandshing another article.