Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-12-22

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mp at this hour of the night. I'll peep
in and scare him.
1t was thoughtless idea, but lucky
through a chink in the door, she saw
the old man lying ON his side by the
fireplace. She was about to shrek out
in her terror, when the door opposite
opened and two men walked into the
room.
They wore masks. and Edith knew al
once that they were burglars One OF
them was tall and stout. the other very
small and slender. Both were meanly
dressed and carried dark lanterns.
She then looked again at her grand
father and saw that his hands and feet
were tied. He was not gagged.
"Oh, why doesn't he shout for helpi''
she wondered. Then she remembered
the isolation of tho castle, and that he
was the only man living there.
eve couldn't find nothin, said the
big burglar savagely, $50 you've got to
tell US where you keep your cash..
That's what you have" ohimed in
the little fellow.
'.If you DON'T" continued the big
one. ''if you don't. why, Well smash
You to pieces. Seer"
"See?'' asked his companion.
81 have no money here" said Mr..
Roulden. ST am rot fool enough to keep
much of it in so lonely place as this.
And the fact is / have not much of it
elsewhere either. -
Edith listened breathlessIy to what
would follow.
'You are lyin, and you know it, "
growled the big burglar. Don't you
think we've been a-watchin you? Why,
my pardner here has followed you
around town for week. He seen you
get big wad of bills at the bank this
mornin. -
"Yes, but are you aware that 1 paid
off some interest ON a mortgage with
it?''
"You are lyin again, and I knows
it. You came straight home from the
bank. -
Mr.. Boulden groaned. twas too true.
You can't fool us" said the little
man exultingly.
mo, you can't. That's fact. went
on his big confederate. "And what S
more, if you don't tell us where it is,
and that purity quick, we'll have to try
little plaster of fire ON yer feet. It's
powerful persuader.
''Oh, what can do? What can do?''
thought Edith as she slipped away from
the door.
She must get help, but where? From
Warwick, of course. But how? Why,
on that dear, blessed bicycle peacefully
stabbed by the front porch. The thought
was inspiring. and, bracing up her cour-
age, she stole down stairs. Carefully
opening the door little bit, she noticed
q team hitched near by which evidently
belonged to the burglars. Her first idea
was to get in the burglars wagon and
drive off, but the sight OF the prancing
horses, which were much scared by the
storm, shook her self confidence, espe-
cially as she knew well her poor ability
as driver. But there was the bicycle
safe and sound. She must get to War
wick on her bicycle or not at all. Per-
haps she could unhitch the horses and
start them off; then the burglars would
be in a fix. She pressed the door farther
open and passed out. As she did SO a
vivid fash of lightning, quickly follow
ed by stunning peal of thunder, star
tied her so that she lost her hold of the
knob, and an accompanying blast of air
dashed the heavy door to with terrific
bang. She knew the robbers would hear
it and rush out to see who it was; so,
quickly getting the bicycle, she hoped
on without stopping to loose the horses
and started away. She was but little
way Off when the front door opened and
the two burglars looked out.
"It's the gal. Catch her," she heard
one cry, as the frequent flashes bright
ened the landscape and discovered her
to them. They jumped into the wagon
and came after her, shouting for her to
stop. But she pedaled down the steep
grade as fast as she could. She had a
fair start and knew she could outdis-
tance them if she could only keep in
the good part Of the road and not upset.
Suddenly she had bad fall, happily
receiving no serious injnries- Mounted
and off again, she soon after had anoth-
er one. "This will never do" she
thought. Her nerves were unstrung by
the tumbles, but she kept on as fast as
ever. How glad she was to turn a cor
ner into the main street of Warwick.
Riding 10 the nearest house, she aroused
the inmates. Three or four men lived
there, and they all quickly dressed and
procured a teaul. Then they made a
dash up to the castle as fast as they
could. Nothing was seen Of the two
burglars on the way, however, and it is
supposed that they decamped out of that
neigbborhood as soon as they found it
impossible to catch up to or stop Edith
in her wild ride for help.
Mr.. Boulden was found Just as Edith
had last seen him. He was soon released
and given stimulants.
When he heard of his granddaugb-
ter's brave exploit. a proud smile went
over his face.
"She is a true Boulden," said he.
''She has all our bulldog tenacity. ]
have some of it, you know. Without
boastiDg. / may say that had made mp
my mind that 1 would suffer any tor
tures rather than disclose where had
hid that money. And L would, believe
me- However, Edith has conquered en-
obstinate old man She shall have her
bicycle, and the best one that money