East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-03-28

:
blazing fire; the flames leaped right Joy
fully up the chimney, and the green log
sizzled and cracked in the heat lik,
things Of life. Out doors, the wind wa
bowling drearily, and the snow falling
heavily; but Milly cared not, for it onl.
made the fire more cheerful.
There came a rapping at the door.
"How strangel Who can that be a
our door in this wild night?" she said tC
herself, as she rose and went into thc
little entry.
The rapping was repeated
"Who is there?n she asked.
"For heavens sake, let me in; l am
freezing to DEATH, was the reply.
"Who are you? and how came you in
the lonely place on scch an evening as
this:"
81 am atravelcr, from below; lost my
way, aud am dying with cold. For PHYS
sake let me in, or | shall perish!'
Milly hesitated She was alone, and
it was three miles to the nearest neigh
boris. What should she do? She paused
III perplexity.
90, save me--save me! | am dyingr
were the words that met her hearing
There was a heavy fall against the sill,
and then low means. Her woman nature
could stand no more; true to the instinct
Of her being, she unbarred the door and
threw it open. \ closel y-muilled figure
reeled by her into the room, and shut
ting the door she followed. On reaching
the fireplace, the stranger threw off his
disguise, and stood erect and strong,
without a sign Of Inconvenience from the
weather. Milly retreated from him in
amazement; but recovering herself, and
putting the best face on the matter, she
tremuously addressed the man
81 am sorry, sir, you are SO cold. 1t
is bitter night to be abroad. VIII YOU
not sit by the fire" And she pushed a
chair forward
The man made no response, but stoop.
ing over, ran his fingers through the
blaze. Then he turned and stared at her
with look which made her blood run
cold. \ bright thought came into her
mind. She would pretend there were
Others in the house, for she already felt
afraid Of the man, and bitterly regretted
having admitted him.
w ouid you like 20 see some Of the
men folks, sir:' she inquired. "lr SO,
| will call them from their beds
The man laughed hoarsely and replied: F..
Chilly Dean; for that | believe is your
name, you caunot deceive ne. You
are all alone in this house took par
Gcuiar care to ascertain that before !
came. 50 you may as well make your.
sell easy on tina. score and ID as l bid .
YOU"
DO as you lid me, exclaimed Milly, |
in terror "what do you want Of mc!
81 want the twelve hundred dollars in
gold your husband received for his pro-
luce TWO days ago. You probably know
where 1t is
Milly sprang into the entry and would
have He'd, but the stranger cought her by
-he wrist and dragged he roughly back.
\ on cannot escape me, young woman,'
nc SAID. You will find it most con.
'cnlont to make clean breast Of it at
Jncc. 1t vii! be better for YOU
Milly strove to release her arm. The
'ough treatment she received aroused
Icr temper, and Indignation overcame
vi other feelings.
"Let me go, You scoundrel let me 90,
II l will call for help she cried.
"Cali, you fool, said the brutal fellow,
md much good may it DO you. Keep
.ourselt still and tell me where the money
So
~ VIII not !" she exclaimed, her eyes
lashing fire.
"lou will not" lie then replied; eve
hall see
lie released her wrist so violently that
lie reeled half across the room. Then
le seized that sleeping infant from its
radle, aud held it, arms length almost
nto the blazing fire, so that the terrified
mother expected to see its light garments
atch the llame.
"Now, then, where is the money! ,
speak out quick or hear your baby shrek |
With pain. will burn it to death be-
ore your eyes if you do not tell me where
he money ls." 4
NiohotSl, give Ile my Chlloi, snllSheu
lilly, endcavorlng to reach the little one.
Let me have my baby. II
But every effort was frustrated, for Z
gain and again the strong hand OF the ,
obber thrust her back.
"See, its clothes will be on fire in a {
minute" said the man, putting the help
esS innocent closer to the flames The .
mother looked into his eyes. She saw |
here the look OF heartless determination
She became aware that the cotton garm- ,
,nts OF the child were smoking with the
leat.
"How shall it be?" asked the ruflian.-- |
Hurry, or the child dies. have no
ime TO waste here"
Anything, anything, only give me /.
ny childp she cried. The next instant
{ was handed to her, aud she sank upon
he floor and folded it to her bosom.
"Come," exclaimed the man, touching
Ter rudcly with his foot, "you have not
old me where the money is
"ln the box on the upper shelf she
'eplied, pointing to the closet.
The man found the box, placed it on
he table, and opened it, saying
SO far well. 1t is nearly all gold.