Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-04-02


for it was indeed he, suppressing an
oath, as she pulled at his companions
sleeve.
''Yet, 1 am here, Kitty. But what
are you doing up at this time of night"
"Let me report the question to YOU
Hal?' was the reply, spoken with some
bitterness Il find that have need to
be up, if 1 would not see my mistress
robbed and murdered in her own bedw
Don't be squeamish, my DEAR" re-
turned the man, with a gesture of i'm
patience. you are altogether too Sc
we're upon US. You know, Kitty"-here
his tone became rather more tender
bead for the whole world. I love you
too well for that"
'Then why are you here tonight
Answer me that question:"
believe me, Kitty, It Is for your sake
alone that 1 have come" said Hal, ear
nestly. 81 am poor man, you know,
and 1 could not bear to have my bride
endure the miseries Of poverty with me.
Miss Hargraye is a stupid old maid,
and could spare money enough to make
us both happy and never miss it. We
mean no harm to anybody, only we
must have the money"
"And to think, Hail." she broke out
again, ''that should have let you have
that key by which you have broken in
to the house! You said you had lost
it. How could you have deceived me
so?"
He only laughed. But his compan-
ion, who had been a quiet witness of
this scene, now stepped forward.
''This foolishness has gone quite far
enough, Hail." he said, resolutely. 1--WE
did not come here to parley all night,
but for business. What shall we do
with this girl, while we search the
house?"
30, Kitty will be quiet. She will
never peach on US. Go ahead, and
never mind her, Dick"
''But 1 shall mind her," Dick return
ed, drawing a pistol from the breast
pocket of his coat "The least sign of
treachery or attempt to betray us, and
[ will not answer for the consequence.
So show US the way to your mistress
room.'
He placed the muzzle Of the pistol
close to her temple, and she dared do
nothing else but obey. They paused on
the landing just outside the door.
Miss Hargrave received five hun
dred dollars one day last week, and il
Is still in the house." said the man,
Dick, in a hoarse whisper. '"Tell us
where it is to be found''
Kitty hesitated.
"How can II" she returned. "You
must think my mistress has abundant
confidence in me. Of course she would
not entrust such a secret to servant"
Not another subterfuge," interrupt
ed the man; 1--WE are bound to have this
information"
"It is in a safe which is kept in the
cellar" said Kitty, reluctantly.
''And where is the keyY'
my mistress always sleeps with ii
under her pillow"
''You must get it for US, and bring us
her watch and purse. But attempt to
play us false, and your life and hers
shall pay the forfeit"
Miss Hargrave was still sleeping
soundly, as she knew by her deep and
regular breathing, therefore she per
formed her errand as soon as possible,
securing the purse, watch and key, and
then hastened out again, weak and
trembling from emotion.
Dick took them without a word.
Kitty longed unutterably to cry out, OF
make some noise that would alarm the
house, but she dared not. She could
only perform their bidding in silence,
hating Hal with an intense hatred for
all this shame and modification that he
was bringing upon her. o., if Edward
were only there!
After whispering a moment apart,
they gave her the lantern and made her
descend the cellar stairs first, lighting
the way for them to follow. The safe
stood against the wall, and the two
robbers fastened eagerly forward to
unlock it and secure their prize, for the
moment utterly forgetful of the girls
presence.
A sudden thought flashed like light
ming on Kitty's brain-a thought that
God himself must have sent The iron
door on the safe was furnished with a
spring lOck-a sure careful movement.
and she might yet save them all! She
was still carrying the lantern, and, lift
ing it higher in her hands, as if to af-
ford them better light, she suddenly
dashed it at Dicks head, who was near
est to her, and sprang through the door,
closing it with a loud clang and snap,
as the bolt showed into it's socket be-
hind her!
The lantern must have been extin-
guished when it fell, for Kitty heard
them cropping for the door, at first ours
ing and threatening.
But Kitty only remained long enough
to recover from her giddiness, and then
sped up stairs, and had soon succeeded
in alarming the house. The police were
called in and the would-be robbers Sc
cured, Hal Burton entreating the young
girl to save him to the very last.
Edward Wyndham heard the news
early the next morning, and came i'm
mediately to the house. At first he
seemed at a loss how to address Kitty,
and she, observing his embarrassment,
went straight to him and laid her little
hand in his broad palm.
Il can read my own heart as 1t is to-
day." she said, earnestly, ''and, Ed
ward, I am very glad that all this has
happened, for it has saved me from a
lifetime Of misery. 1 honestly believe
that your little finger is more precious
to me than all Hal Burton's pretended
lover
Thus it came about that a wedding
really did take place on the day first