Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-06-20
esided and the one adjoining.

IN true spirit OF Womaniy lnoeren-
dence, they endeavored to supplement
the modest income derived from the
other by diligently cultivating the large
garden and orchard; and the sale Of
produce, in addition to the profit OBJ
tanned from a couple Of COWS. exceeded
their first anticipation.
After completing her round and giy-
last look at the heap of potatoes, which
only that day had, with the aid of their
factotum, been unearthed and set in
readines for dispatch to the market, Ella
fingered for a few minutes to enjoy the
calm beauty Of the late autumn even
ing.
AS she turned to go her sharp ears
detected a sharp, rasping sound which
came and went with mechanical rapidity
and apparently proceeded from some
part of the bank.
From sheltered corner Of the garden
she was able to get glimpse of the
premises, and on going there was alarm.
ed to sec light shining through the
window of what she knew to be the
strong room.
With her heart in her mouth she
bravsly clambered to the top of the
boarded fence, and with the help of a
friendly apple tree let herself down on
the other side and noieely crept along
beneath the overhanging ivy until che
reached q point q few yards distant
from the window.
She did not dare to venture nearer,
as she would have been observed, but
from her hiding place she could hear
distinctly the steady grating sound
which had first attracted her attention,
and which she was convinced was caused
by some one attempting to file open the
safe.
In an instant her mind was made up.
How often had she wished for the chance
of doing some especially brave or good
action a long way after her favorite
heroine, and now she flushed with ex-
citement as she recognized and deter
mined to sieze her opportunity.
Chrissie in her turn was busilyengaged
in meditation, although possibly her
thoughts were less adYenturous,if more
sentimental than those Of her sister had
when the latter quietly glided in and
without more ado. locked the door and
put the key into her pocket.
Now Chrissie, you are not to faint or
scream, for Chrissie was the one ele-
ment on which she could not rely in
the undertaking she had set herself to
perform.
Chrissie went near disobeying as she
calculated:
>Oh, Ella, know shall. What is
the matter2 Has Peter fallen IN again?
NO.
Then there is a spider in my hair.
Oh
'Chrissie, be quiet
Tell me quickley, then, what is the
matter
u will on condition you don't make
any disturbance, and that you promise
to do what I wish
Yves, promise if it is nothing too
dreadful
Well, then. Chrlssie, there is a burg
lar trying to open the bank safe.'
The reality was evidently not 50 ap-
palling to Chrissie as the catastrophe
she had imagined for she only said;
Is that allT
Not quite, for you and I are going to
capture him.
Oh, Ella, how can We? Two helpless
women!'
YES we can. Now just listen to me;
have thought it all out. Mr.. McDon'
aid does not sleep on the premises, as
you know
Chrissie could not see in the dusk the
slight blush which spread over her sis.
ter's face as she mentioned the name.
Mr.. Mcdonald was the bank manager
Scotchman of some thirty years of age
handsome and unmarried. He had
always been friendly and chiyolrous in
his bearing towards the two sisters, but.
somehow, lately, Ella had imagined
But there. it is not for me to reveal
the unspoken thoughts Of a woman's
mind especially when those thoughts
concern a handsome, young and single
Scotchman.
Mrs. Vinall,' she proceeded, the care
taker, Is as deaf as a post, and in all
probability shut up close in her own
apartments. Her husband and son are
most likely away participating in the
festivities of the village club at High
Halden, and will not be home until near