Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-28

window was, and if yer make one
sound, as sure as yer alive he'll stran-
gle YER And with this ominous men
ace he disappeared.
Debonnaire was in darkness and a
prisoner. What could she do to alarm
the house? Should the burglar find
his way into General Calnards room
he might easily be awakened. No
doubt the diamonds were lying in their
| cases close beside him on his dressing
table. But her lover would not re-
linguish them without Struggle, and
this man was armed. She knew where
General Calnard's' room was, for he
had taken her all round the mansion
| that afternoon, and she remembered
that the one she occupied was down
| a short passage from the main corridor
and not far from the back stairs If
! only she were free, she thought, she
would have the courage to descend by
| these, make circuitous route on the
/ first floor, returning up the front
| stairs near the other end of the house
She tugged at her hair with all her
1
might, hoping to loosen it and drag it
through the interstice by main force,
regardless of the pain it caused her
But her efforts seemed only to tighten
the knot, and time was precious
Could she reach her scissors on the
dressing-table? 1t would be a sad
| sacrifice, but that was the only way.
With all her strength she pulled her.
| self forward. Thank heaven, the
drawers moved, making but little
sound over the thick carpet. One more
pull, and yet another, and her fingers
touched the table; last final effort
and the scissors were in her hand.
| Glorious hair! I love it." The
thought flashed through her mind as
the shears did their work of destruc-
ton. Something like a sob escaped
her, standing upright and free once
more.
f. Then she gathered her gown more
closely around her. With bare feet
and noiseless tread, and arms out
stretched in front of her, with ears
sharpened to catch the slightest
sound, she was outside the room, and
creeping as quickly as she dared to-
wards the friendly staircase.
How dark it was downstairs. how
hollow the empty passages, how every
crack resounded upon the boards, and
now her limbs shook as she began to
ascend once more!
At last the corridor was reached,
and there was no glimmer of light nor
sound OF movement; so far she was
safe. The man was in some room,
evidently, seeking for the treasure. A
few more yards and she would reach
the door.
At that instant the merest flash il
Illuminated the end of the passage: she
was only just in time
Her fingers grasped the handle;
thank God, the door was not locked.
With two steps she was beside the
bed, and was shaking the sleeping
man by his shoulder.
"Bertram, Bertram, get up!" she
whispered.
Good Lord, Bonnie, what are you
doing here?"
Hush, hush, it's a burglar, and he
has a revolver. For heavens sake
take care
Then, having accomplished her mis-
! sion from womanly weakness her
nerves gave way; she staggered back
wards with a little cry, and sank in
a heap on the floor.
Five minutes afterwards bells were
ringing, lights were flashing along the
passages, every one was wide awake.
A shot fired from General Calnard's
window had alarmed the household,
and warned the burglars that their
presence was discovered. Excited
women rushed about inside. whilst
enterprising visitors and men SER
wants, led by General Calnard,
searched the gardens and avenue out
side; but the thieves had made off
and got clear away with some booty,
jewels removed from some of the
guests rooms while Debonnaire was
struggling to free her tresses from the
tolls.
The diamonds, however, were quite
| A -" WOOhS 1dCSI Iu0y S0TN0Q
TO crown radiant bride.
But as Debonnaire stood before a.
mirror in the drawing-room upon her
wedding day she surveyed her short
ened curly locks regretfully, signing
as her husband touched them lovingly.
A woman's glory they say. Alas,
the pity of it. Mine has gone"
rEn
man, he answered, "and you are mine
forever, love."-Chicago Tribune.