Year: 1872

, "It's no use to keep mum. my dears ;
I'VE know you're there. and we also know
about that basket of silver. That's
what we've came for and you had bet
ter open the door, or we'll knock it
down"


We sat on the edge ofthe bed perfect
ly still. and trembling with fright. Then
they commenced swearing and pounding
the door; but it was very strong and
did not yield particle After little
more whispering, another voice said.


IF you'll open the door. and hand us
the silver. we will go away and not harm
you: but if you don. we'll send you
along with the old man down there, WHO
won't tell any tales"


Ali this was interspersed with oaths
that were dreadful to hear l whispered
to Bessie to get up on the window SILL
and take hold of the end of the sheets
and would let her down. She did not
need much urging. and as steadied her
down. said to the men outside,


"How do you know we have any sill
yer in here ?"


I'VE know. and we will have it. If
you are sensible gal. you will give it
to us. for we'll mash your heads if you
don't"


I By this time l had drawn up the i'm
promptu rope. and tied on the basket
which was bound to save.


wait a moment" said I. for they
beat the door till the board. cracked
and was afraid the hinges would give
way. Then l swung myself down. 1t
was no easy task, and what feeling of
relief it was to land on the pillows safe
and sound. and find Bessie with the
basket ready for a st,rt. We did not
dare try the main road but slipped
through the side gate into the orchard
As we entered. we heard the door give
way, and knew it would be only mo-
ment till they would be after us. But
we were both swift on our feet, and We
knew it was life or death to US.


We soon left the orchard and field be-
hind us, and entered the woods that
separated aunI's farm from the Grey s
the very woods in which we first met
Harold Grey and his friend week be
fore. We were just beginning to feel
safe and slacken our pace a little. when
we heard mems voices in the road that
skirted the woods. We dare not 60 far
lher FOR fear the cracking OF the under
brush might betray us, so we climed into
a tree that stooc near We were hardly
seated in its broad branches, with the
basket between us, when they started
into the woods. and came and threw
themselves down under the very tree in
which we were seated.


They had evidently given up the
search; and the curses were loud and
deep that fell upon our devoted heads.
Although they swore that we were smart
girls to outwit them.


They must have stayed here two hours
talking it ovor-i. seemed an age to me.
We hardly dared to breathe. for we knew
that our chances of life lay in perfect
quiet.


Just before the day broke they left,
and soon after we heard the voices of
Harold Grey and his friend, who, as we
afterwards learned. were coming over to
have us 90 out rowing by sunrise. We
managed to get out of the tree, and Bess
commenced to tell our story. I never
knew how she did it. for tainted for the
first time In my life. When l opened
my eyes. | found aunt I!epzie bending
over me, and that had been sick long
time.


They would not let me talk about it,
and it was some time before discovered
that one of the robbers was the hackman
who carried aunt to the train. Old Han
nah, who was very deaf, slept through it
all. and poor Joseph ives found lying
dead in his blood.


Bessie and l are quite heroines now.
and aunt Hepzie has got over her dislike
to college students. When the double
wedding comes eff which will be next
year, she says the silver we saved shall
be divided between Us.