Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-08-20

INK Win iIutSNti.N
A boy had brought it 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 course" cried Aunt
Judith, as l entered the breakfast
room. Il don't believe earth ever pro-
duced so gallant lover" she contin-
ued in her teasing way. And what
have you now. pray, turtle dove:'
NO. carrier pigeon: and Larry
says it is trained one, too" replied
referring to the letter-a dainty billet
which had accompanied the gift.
Il wish Larry had sent her a big
bulldog instead of the bird" said papa
as he helped himself to the toast.
why. papa l gasped. How I'M
| poetical.'
Very useful. my dear: especially
| just now, when there are SO many
burglars about"
Il hear Mr.. Sayre's house has been
| robbed, and Golden's, the jewelers..
too" said Aunt Judith. Goodness ne,
/ hope they won't come here. We're
in such lonely, out-ofthe-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 a more secure place."
I've been thinking about that very
thing" said papa. I'VE shan't need
them till Meg here" turning to me
with smile becomes Mrs. Lawrence
| Carroll. So l might as well take them
to the bank and lock them up in the
| safe
"Rut what IL thAv h-Aab int" Tho
bank" l asked.
Papa laughed derlsively He was al.
ways boasting of the safety of the
| bank.
Larry didn't spend that evening with
me. and so l went 10 bed quite early.
When l awoke | had a smothered,
suffocated feeling that made me gasp
for breath. Thinking that the bed
clothes were lying across my face,
reached up my hand TO draw them
away, and found there. instead. a
handkerchief saturated with a subtle,
empowering scent.
Chloroform. Yes, that was 1t. l
sprang from the bed and went to the
door.
1t was slightly ajar. and through the
| opening a 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, dra G.
ging along my dear old father.
You Williams. What is the use of
this I heard poor. dear papa say. Il
shall never, never. do it,
You won't see the sun rise again.
them" said one of the men, with an
oath.
I'D rather die than have you succeed
in your nefarious plan"' 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 wagon" ordered the leader.
Papa's struggles We're Of no avail
and, gagged and bound. he was carried
out of the house and soon l heard
wheels rolling away.
Two of the burglars stayed behind
to ransack the house, l supposed
Hearing their voices, turned and fled
into my room, locking the door behind
me.
Just then little rustic in one corner
of my room made my heart beat will
renewed terror: but relief came in
stantly, when l perceived that thu
noise was made by my little PETITE
carrier pigeon.
knelt down beside its cage, sobbin:
softly.
Suddenly, like a divine revelation
there came a thought
Could not Bijou, the pigeon, carry :
message TO Larry?
With trembling fingers l seized pencl
and paper, and wrote the follow.n!
words:
Larry. Larry. For Gods sake go +
the bank. Take plenty of men will
you. Burglars have carried papa ther
TO compel him TO open the safe. Hurry
Your NEG.
"P. 81 send you this by Bijou."
This l put in an envelope. and tie
the latter round the birds neck. A
quietly as possible I opened the wiz
dow and put the bird on the sill.
For minute it stood there. turnin
its pretty head irresolutely; ther
spreading its wings, ii slowly rose an
scared away-O Heaven be thanked. :
in the direction of Elmwooi.
Just then there was n violent racke
at the Goor-a succession of kicks
which soon splintered the panels.
An instent later, as stood there pa
alyzed by terror, two burglars bur:
into the room.
Curse it, cried one, that chlor'
form didn't fix her, after ALL"
Bind and gag her like we did th
old lady; then I'll bet she'll be safe
said the other.
Then rough hands seized me and
knew no more.