The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-08-29

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l1notted hair into it, and with a dex-
ferrous movement closed the drawer,
locked it, and put the key into his
pocket.
Then he blew out the candle, and.
with small lantern in one hand and
his revolver in the other, went to-
wards the door.
''I've got my pal below there" he
said, nodding his head to where the
open window was, "and if yer make
one sound, as sure as your alive he'll
come up and strangle yer" And with
this ominous menace he disappeared.
DebOnnaire was in darkness and a
prisoner. What could she do to alarm
the house? Should the burglar find
his way into Gen. Calnard's 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 relinquish them without a struc-
gle, and this man was armed She
knew where Gen. Calnard's room
was, for he had taken her all around
remembered that the one she occil-
pied 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, re-
turning up the front stairs near the
other end of the house.
She tugged at her hair with all
her might hoping to loosen it and
drag it out 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
sad sacrifice, but that was the only
way. With all her strength she
pulled herself forward. Thank
heaven, the drawers moved, making
but little sound over the thick car
pet. 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 sob escaped
her, standing upright and free once
more.
Then she gathered her gown more
closely round 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
towards the friendly staircase.
How dark it was downstairs, how
hollow the empty.a0assages, how
every crack reso~#ded upon the
boards, and how 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 treas
ure. A few yards more and she
would reach the door.
At that instant the merest flash
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?"
has revolver. For heavens sake,
take care"
Then, having accomplished her mis-
sion, from womanly weakness her
nerves gave way; she staggered
backwards with little cry, and sank
in heap on the floor.
A shot fired from Gen. Cal
nard's window had awakened the
household, and warned the burglars
that their presence was discovered.
Excited women rushed about in
side, whilst enterprising visitors and
men servants led by Gen. Calnard,
searched the gardens and avenues
outside; 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
safe. A few weeks later they served
to crown a radiant bride.
But as Debonnaire stood before
mirror in the drawing-room upon her
wedding day she surveyed her
shortened curly locks regretfully,
signing as her husband touched them
lovingly.
"'A woman's glory they say.
Alas, the pity of it. Mine has gone"
'The woman is the glory of the
man," he answered, "and you are
mine forever, love."-Chicago Trib-
une.