Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-03-22


ued, counting out the contents of the
purse, and throwing it back empty, in
/ exact imitation of Janetta's own ges-
ture. That's very little. my dear;
what have you got besides?"
Not farthing," said Janetta;. you
are at liberty to look"
The man. still keeping a wary eye
on Janetta, came and tossed over her
+ drawers pocketing a bracelet or two.
+ and taking her little watch from its
stand with many ordinations of dis
gust that his booty was so small.
I'm wasting my time here; now
We'll go to the other one" he said
roughly.
Then Janetta's enforced self-control
broke down.
Not you-not you" she pleaded
passionately. "She's very delicate; a
sudden shock might kill her, and it
would be bad for you if it did. I'll
creep into the room and bring you
ont everything OF value in it"
The man stood with his back against
the door Il don't trust woman,
much less a pretty one; you've some
dodge in your head"
Il swear my only object is to save
Miss Seymour's life. and, in so doing.
/ probably your neck. as WELL" retorted
Janetta She's asleep. I could get
her money and jewels without waking
her"
You shall do it on one condition."
said the man. with a brutal laugh.
"Ill stand at the open door and cover
You with my pistol If see YOU play
ing me false in the slightest degree,
going near the window. or trying to
rouse the house. I'll shoot both you
and her. remember"
I've given my word; I'll not play
you false" said Janetta.
He opened the door and let her pass
before him. with a mock bow. follow
ing close upon her heels. Janetta won
dered if the humping of her heart
would wake Clarice; it sounded like
a cannon in her own ears.
She took the prccaution of slipping
off her shoes at Clarice's door and set
il wide. so that the burglar in the
doorway had command of her every
movement At the opening of the
wardrobe where her jewel case was
kept. Clarice turned and moaned in
her sleep. and Janetta paused. her fin
ger uplifted for a moment: but the
next instant she was satisfied that
Clarice had dropped off again So
quick and def was she that to collect
every article of value in the room did
not take her more than five minutes
Wen go back together, my dear,
and just look 'em over" said the bur
glar, with his hand on her arm. push
ing her before him III leave the
cases ana such for a keepsake. | al
ways do the thing handsome when |
get hold of an obliging female like
yourself. Thirty pounds in gold. Yes.
l understood as she'd had a little
cheque cashed tonight; and these jew
els haven't been overrated They are
first-class. Now. my dear, you'll swear
to me. honor bright. that the old one
hasn't anything worth my waking her
up for, The less people awake over
this business the fewer to tell tales.
ehp
lie was retreating rapidly down the
staircase with his spoils carefully
packed away in a black bag: and he
saw Janetta's eye travel towards the
gong that hung halfway down the
stairs
No You don't" he said, reading
her meaning. If you make any effort
TO wake the house I'll silence you for
good and all. You'll give me ten min
utes' start, and then you can set the
town crier at work if you like"
Now, a word before We part Tell
your parlor maid TO look better after
her windows. That big one in your
drawing room was not even latched.
I didn't have to break pane of glass
Ten minutes, mind. On second
thoughts, you'd better make it a quar-
ter of an hour. as far as you can
guess it without your watch"
Janetta stood breathleSs. at the top
of the stairs. watching the burglar
pass out of sight into the drawing
room. Much must still depend upon
her silence. She turned at last to go
back to her room. when TO her horror
She saw Clarice in dressing gown and
slippers. hurrying towards her with
a lighted candle in her hand.
Janetta caught her in her strong
arms. almost lifted her back into her
bedroom, and locked the door behind
them.
For heavens sake. keep quiet. dear.
Our lives may depend upon it," she
whispered. And then, as she placed
Clarice in a chair, the light grew
blurred and dim. and Clarice's white.
frightened face seemed receding into
the far distance; there was a singing
IL her ears, a cold hand clutching at
her heart, and Janetta fell fainting
to the floor
CHAPTER X