St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-02-28

In the log cabin in the valley Of the
stream!ct, Milly Dean sat alone. Her
husband had gone to distant town
and the young wife was left with her
baby. Accustomed to the solitude,
she felt safe, and sat in contcntmcnt
before the blazing fire the flames
leapcd right .joyfulIy up the chimney,
and the green logs sized and cracked
on the hearth like things of life. Out
doors, the wind was bowling drearily,
and the snow falling heavily but
Milly cared not, for it only made the
fire more cheerful.
There came rapping at the door.
How strange! Who can that be
at our door in this wild night :" she
said to herself, as she rose and went
into the little entry.
The rapplng was repeated
"Who is there ?" she asked
For heavens sake, let me in ; |
am freezing to death was the reply.
"Who are you? and how came you
in this lonely place on such an evening
as this ?"
L" am traveller, from below
lost my way, and am dying with cold.
For PHYS sake, let me in, OF | shall
perish
Milly hcsitated. She was alone,
and it was three miles to the nearest
ncighbor's. What should she do
She paused in pcrpleXity.
80, save mc-save me! am dy-
| ing " were the words that met her
hearing. There was a dull fall against
the sill, and then low moans. Her
woman nature could stand no more
true to the instincts of her being, she
unbarred the door and threw it open
4 closely mullled figure recled by her
into the room, and shutting the door
she followed On reaching the fire
place, the stranger threw off his dis
guise, and stood erect and strong, with
out Il sign Of Inconvenience from ct-
teets of the weather. MilIy rctrcatcd
from him in amazcment but recover
ing herself, and putting the best face
on the matter, she tremulUuSly ad.
! ureSScu tue man
- | am sorry, sir, you are SO cold
1t is a bitter night to be abroad Will
you not sit by the fire 2" and she
pushed chair forward.
The man made no response, but
STOPPING over, ran his fingers through
the blaze. Then he turned and stared
at her with look that made hcl
blood run cold. \ bright thought
came into her head She would pre-.
tend there were others in the house
for she already felt afraid Of the man
and bitterly regretted having admit
ted him.
Would you like to see some o.
the men folks, sir ?" she inquired. ''I
so | will call them from their beds"
The man laughed hoarsely and re-
piled: .....
"Milly Dean, for that | believe is
1 your name, You cannot deceive me
You are all alone in this house.
took particular care TO ascertain tha
before | came. SO you may as wei
make yourself easy on that point anc
do as bid you"
"Do as you bid me-" exclaimed Nil
ly in terror what do you want 0
me 2"
/" want the twelve hundred dollar
in gold your husband received for hi
: produce two days ago. You probabl,
) know where it is.D
Milly sprang into the entry an
would have fled, but the strange
l caught her by the waist and dragge
: her roughly back.
= " You cannot escape me, young VIC
c man." he said. "You will find
4 most convenient to make a clca
5 breast of it at once. 1t will be be
d ter for you"
Milly strovc to release her arm
a The rough treatment she receive
aroused her temper. and indignatio
&C ovcrcame all other feelings.
n LET me SO, you scoundrel, let II