The Lincoln County herald., 1868-06-04

blazing Ere the flames leaped right joy.
fully up the chimney, and the green legs
sissled and cracked in the heat like
things Of life. Out doors, the wind was
bowling drearily, and the snow fallisg
heavily but Milly cared not, for It snly
made the fire more cheerful.
There came wrapping at the door.
"How strangei Who can be at our
door in this wild night 2" she said to her.
self, % she rose and went into the little
entry.
The wrapping was repeated.
"Who is there 2" she asked.
"For heavens sake let me in I am
frsezing to death II was the reply,
"Who are you, and how came you in
this lonely place on such an evening As
~ am traveller from below I lost my
way, and am dying with Geld. For PHYS
sake let me 10, or I shall perish y
Milly hesitated. She was alone, and
it was three miles to the nearest neigh.
bor's. What should she do F.? Shc paused
in perplexity.
20, save me-savs me i I am dying I"
were the words that met her hearing.
There was . 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 tho door aud
threw it open. A closely mufled figure
reeled by her into the room. and shutting
the door she followed. Un reaching tho
fireplace, the stranger throw off his dis.
guise, and stood erect and strong without
o sign Of Inconvenience from tho weather.
Milly retreatcd from him in amazcmcnt /;
but recovering herself, and putting the
best face on the matter, she trenulously
addressed the man.
~ am sorry sir, you are 50 cold. It is
bitter night to be abroad. Will you
not cit by ths frs?" And she pushed =
chair forward.
He made no response, but STOPPING over,
ran his 6ngrrs through the blaze. Then
he turned and stared at her with q look
which made her blood run cold. A bright
thought camo into her mind. She would
pretend there were others in the house,
for she already felt afraid Of the man, and
bitterly regretted having admitten him.
"Would you like to SEQ ssme Of the
men folks, sir?" she inquired. If 20
I will call them from their BEDS"
The man laughed hoarsely and replied
"Milly Dean, for that believe is your
name, you cannot deceive me. You are
alone in this house. I took particular
care to ascertain that before came. 50
you may as we'll make yourself easy on
that score and do as bid you"
"Do as you bid me-" exclaimed Milly,
10 terror; "what do yo1 wart me to do p
~ want the twelve hundred dollars IN
gold your husband received for his pro.
duco two days ago. You probably know
Milly sprang into tho entry and would
have fed, but the stranger caught her by
the wrist and dragged her roughly back.
"You cannot escape me, young woman,
he said. "You will find it most convc.
nicnt to mako clean breast ut once. 1t
will be better for you"
Milly strove to release her arm. The
rough treatment she received aroused her
temper, aud indignation overcome all 9th.
or feelings.
"Let me 60, you scoundrel let mo 60,
or will call for help" sho cried.
"Call you fool" said the brutal fellow,
"and much good may it do you. Keep
yourself still and tell ne where the money
is."
II will not" she exclaimed hor eyes
flashing 6re.
"You will not" ho then replied; i've
shall see."
"He released her wrist so violently that
she reeled half across tho room. Then
he seized tho sleeping infant from its era
die and held il to his arms length almost
into the blazing fire, so that tho terrified
mother expected 10 see its light garments
catch the fame.
"Now then, where is the money q
Speak out quick or hear your baby shriek
with pain. I will burn it to death before
your eyes if you do not tell me where the
money is."
"Monstcr, give mo my child" shrisksd
Milly, endeavoring to reach the little one.
"Let me have my baby"
But every effort was frustrated, for
again ana cgoln the etrooS nan0 OF the
robbsr thrust her back.
''Sce, its clothes will bs On fire in
q minute" said the man, putting the help.
less innocent closer to the flames. The
mother looked into his eyes. She saw
there the lock Of heartless determines ation.
She became aware that the cotton gar.
msnts Of the child were smoking with the
heat.
"How shall Il bsi" asked the rufFian.
"Hurry, or the child dies. have No
time to waste here" .-.-
Anything, anything, only give me my
was handed to her, and she sank upon the
dosr and folded it to her arms.
"Coms," said the man Touching her
rudsly with his foot, "yeu have not told
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