Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-02-27
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,...syu vu 10 the vault
and when he stood in front Of the
great steel doors, put his valise down
on the floor and after few seconds
work, succeeded in swinging back the
doors. Again there was slight noise
and this time Lavery looked around.
A shadow fitted up toward him and
then disappeared in niche in the
wall.
"Is that yon. John?' asked Lavery
coolly, thinking it must be the watch
man. There was no answer. Layery
was disturbed, but not frightened. He
turned to the vault and with some
haste began to pull out great packets
Of bills. One or two packets he laid
on the ground, the rest he placed in
the valise. His only light was the
tlickering sas jet at the end Of the
passage, but not an inch Of that vault
was unknown to Layery, and he could
have done his work without any light
at all.
Suddenly this Pickering gas jet
went cut. Now Lavery was no fool
He didn't delude himself with any
false ideas. He knew that there was
something behind the gas going out
except draught. He put two and two
together, and concluded that he had
been followed into the vault by some
one. who didn't care to be seen. He
tried to think what he might have
done or said to betray himself or his
plans. He could think of nothing. The
fact remained, however, that he was
at the end of blind passage with a
valise full of the banks money. Who
ever turned out the light knew the
truth. Lavery put his hand in his
pocket and slipped out the revolver
which he always carried when he
stayed late at the bank. His reflec-
tions had occupied less than minute,
and during that time not sound had
come from the passage. Lavery waited
until 1t became impossible for him to
remain quiet another second. The
more he thought the more convinced
he became that he had been cornered
by the officers of the bank. That was
mis- guilty conscience. He thought Ok
his wife. and a certain little baby,
then with an oath, something Lavery
wasn't used to indulging in, he strobe
forward until he had gone about 20
feet. He heard some one breathing
ahead and without moments hesi-
tation, aimed his revolver in that d.
rection and fired three shots in rapid
succession. There was most terrific
outcry. Lavery plunged ahead again,
but before he had gone three steps
something struck him on the back OF
the head. AS he fell he turned quickly
and fired the two remaining shots
from his pistol Then he went slowly
out Of the world with yells Of pain
and shouts of alarm from somewhere
in the distance ringing in his ears as
his mind gradually passed away.
"Lavery saw the light of the world
again two weeks from that night He
came to in his own home and with his
wife bending over the bed. For mo-
ment he couldn't recall anything. Then
like flash it all came back to him.
81 must get away he cried to his
wife. I must get away. Quick, give
me my clothes Oh, my God, my God!'
"Lavery went off into delirium, and
the doctor shook his head and looked
serious when he saw him and heard
what he had said. The next time Law
ery's wandering senses came back to
him there was strong man along
side of his bed and when he tried to
! Jump again he found himself pinned
! down.