Harper's Young People, February 21, 1882 / An Illustrated Weekly

JESSE'S VALENTINE.—Drawn by W. St. John Harper.

The voices went on, but Jesse's power of listening seemed gone. He had to clutch the ladder for support. What could he do?
It was clear to his mind that Bill had come back for some evil deed. What was it he had come to steal? Jesse shook with terror, but tried to remember just what Bill had said, and just where this hidden treasure lay. The cupboard to the right of the fire-place, under the floor. It was always locked, he knew that. Oh, if only he dared move!
The wind and rain seemed to make the most unearthly noises as poor little Jesse crept to the door and sped across the yard. There was no light in the old kitchen but that of the fire. At first he was glad of this; it seemed to protect him from Bill and his wicked companion. But on second thoughts he remembered that if they saw the house in darkness, they might conclude it safe to come in for their evil purpose; and so he lighted two candles, placing them on the table near the window. This done, he went to the cupboard door, and looking at it in perplexity and terror, wondered what he ought to do next.
His one distinct idea was that he must in some way save Miss Holsover's treasure, whatever it might be. He did not care how or with what he wrenched the cupboard door open; but when it fell back there was a new difficulty, and every sound outside seemed to increase his nervousness and dread.
Nothing of importance was on the shelves; but Bill had said under the floor . How could he move the flooring? Finally, taking the screw-driver he had used in forcing open the door, he put the edge of the instrument into the crack, and to his delight found that the old plank yielded.
He searched narrowly, and there, protected by a wooden box, lay a smaller one of tin, and a package tied with faded ribbon.
Jesse did not stop to look at what he had found. Blowing out his candle, he gathered them up as quickly as his trembling fingers would allow, and then, with one hasty thought what to do, he rushed to the front door, and sped away in the darkness.