The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-08-19
Il!sl I!1l
| |

lIl lGlU and its arching neck glcam
ing with iridescent hues.
A boy had brought IL over from Elm
wood that morning in dainty willow
basket, lined with pink cotton wool
and its handle adorned with bows OF
pink ribbon.
From Larry, of courser' cried Aunt
judith, as l entered the breakfast
room. II don't believe earth ever pro
duced so gallant a lover"" she contin-
ued In her teasing way. "And what
have you now. pray, turtle dove?"
NO, carrier pigeon; and Larry
says IL is trained one, too" | replied,
referring to the letter-a dainty billet
which had accompanied the gift.
II wish Larry had sent her n big
bulldog instead of the bird" said papa,
as he helped himself to the toast.
why, papa" | gaspcd "IIow un-
poeticalr'
Very useful, my dear; especially
Just now, when there are so many
burglars about"
Il hear Mr.. Sayre's house has been
robbed, and Goldcn's, the jewelers..
too," said Aunt Judith Goodness me.
l hope they won't come here. We're
In such lonely, out-of-thc-w place,
too! Thomas" turning to my father.
don't you think that you had better
take the spare silver and the family
diamonds to more secure placeY
1--WE been thinking about that very
thing" said papa. 1--WE shan't need
them till Meg here" turning To me
with smile, becomes Mrs. Lawrence
Carroll, SO i might as well take them
to the bank and lock them up in the
safe"
But what If they break into the
bankS" l asked.
Papa laughed derisively. He was al
ways boastng Of the safety of the
bank.
Larry didn't spend that evening with
me, and so | went to bed quite early.
when | awoke | had n smothered
sulfocated feeling that made me gasp
for breath. Thinking that the bed
clothes were lying across my face.
reached mp my hand to draw them
away, and found there, instead
handkerchief saturated with n subtle.
overpowering scent
Chloroform Yes, that was II. |
sprang from the bed and went to the
door.
1t was slightly ajar, and through the
opening light shone family, l crept
softly out into the hall, and, leaning
over the railing, looked down. oh
heaven! what did see?
-Four strong men. wearing black
masks, and armed with revolvers. drag
ging along my dear old father.
You Williams! What is the use of
thisT / heard poor, dear papa say. IL
shall never, never, do it,
You won't see the sun rise again.
then" said one of the men, with an
oath
I'D rather die than have YOU succeed
In your nefarious planr was papa's
reply.
That's game" said another rough
voice. but wait till we get there.
We've got the cashier in our clutches.
and when he caves in, you will too"
Gag him, boys, before we put him
In the wagonw ordered the leader.
Papa's struggles were OF no avail.
and, gagged and bound. he was carried
out of the house and soon | heard
wheels rolling away.
Two OF the burglars stayed behind
to ransack the house, supposed.
Hearing their voices, | turned and fed
into my room, locking the door behind
me.
Just then a little rustic in one corner
OF my room made my heart beat with
renewed terror; but relief came in
stantly, when l perceived that the
noise was made by my little PETITE
carrier pigeon.
knelt down beside its cage, sobbing
softly.
Suddenly, like a divine revelation.
there came n thought
Could not Bijou. the pigeon, carry a
message to Larry?
With trembling fingers I seized pencil
and paper, and wrote the following
words:
Larry. Larry! For Gods sake 90 to
the bank. Take plenty of men with
you. Burglars have carried papa there
10 compel him to open the safe. Hurry
Your MEG.
: up. 81 send you this by Bljou"
This / put in an envelope. and tied
the latter round the birds neck. AS
quietly rs possible opened the win
dow and put the bird on the SILL
For a minute II stood there. turning
fts pretty head irrcsolutely: then.
spreading its wings. II slowly rose and