St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-03-26
VOLUME 80 NUMBER 1870

t She opened the gate, flung over the G
stlrrup, stepped up on the gate and leaI
2 ed on.
Past the house and garden. Undo
t the shadow of the orchard trees, trottin
faster and faster. She has the mare we
IN hand. There is only one thought i
her mlnd-to get to Brame's. She call
to the mare, and breaks her into a rur
From that it is one long hurling flight
all the nine Gathering miles. Along til
clear high road, by fields and orchards
level and slope. Down through Treacl
Hollow, mile-long tunnel of gloom, thrc
over-arching trees. Up again-out thrC
the hills-out with rush, and away
Hill and level, dip and rise, straigh
stretch and winding curve, no break O
halt, horse and rider as one, flying, flying
The painting mare stopped at the taver
door.
"HalIoa.," she called, ''Quick ther
-halloa,"
The Squire came out with frighten
ed face. He knew the voice. He saw
his mare Skylark. lie looked in Nell
face. lie knew what it was.
'Aln't you seen him, Nell ~
She shook her head. She stepped up
on the piazza. ''What shall do ~
He slipped his hand under the saddle
He came close to her and whispered
The moneys here-under the saddle
They cant have hurt him. He wouldn'r
fight when he knew the boHds were safe
Don't fear, girl
II must find him, Squire Brame,' sh,
said. ''lou will help Inc, won't you ~
''Wait bit," he said ''We'll 20 TO-
gether"
He led the mare round to the barn.
took Oft the saddle and the precious pad.
lie shut the doors, dug out a hollow in
the side OF the NOW, stuffed the pad in,
and covered it over. Nell was waiting
outside. lie came out.
He ran in, and came back after a
minute. Nell went into the barn. Dri-
yer stood at the rack, quite fresh and
rested now.
They mounted and rode away. West
down the pike to the turn north.
At every turmoil they stopped. AT
the Lindesley road they saw the tracks OF
buggy and two horses bound east They
kept on north.
Squire" said Nell. I'll ride home.
He may have gone there. I'll come
back"
She headed Driver North, struck into
gallop, and was OFT Ten minutes lat
cr she turned the bend half Il mile from
home. She started, and gave a joyful
cry. Out OF the east window bright
light shone. \ little farther on she
heard a sudden sound that drove the hope
out OF her heart-the whinny of horse
in wood to the right She got down,
tied driver to a tree, and ran on. She
crept in softly through the open gate, and
round TO the east side.
She looked in, but she did not see
l'rent. BY the safe, in the corner, a
man was kneeling, with slouched black
hat and a suit of rough, worn clothes.
His back was towards her Her own
lamp stood lighted on the top of the safe.
With Il drill and Il heavy mallet, padded
at the end, lie W. picking hole in the
IRON door, Just above the lock
Into that safe Prent had put, only the
night before, three thousand dollars and
odd, of taxes taken at Carrom.
On the table just behind him lay his
pistol. She saw the copper CLEAN of the
cap under he hammer. As she looked.
the man stood up, threw off his coat and
raised the window. lie took red hand
kerchiet out of his hat, wiped his fore
head. and got down again TO his work.
The pistol lay close 10y the open window
now.
She crept round TO the window and
pccred in. The burglar was picking
away at the iron plate. Moving very
cautiousl Y, she raised her arm, and then,
timing the motion by his regular stroke,
and holding her breath, She thrust in her
arm, lifted the pistol. and drew it out
She aimed it at his head, expecting to
see him turn but lie did not hear
picked away at the plate.
She ran round to the back The kit
chen doer stood ajar. She passed in, 81
lent a death, caught Il match from the
shelf, Iii 4 candle, and stepped through
the passage to the door of the east room
The door was open. She held the cam
die outside in her left hand, stood in the
doorway, and pointed the pistol.
lie faced round and stared one instant.
y girl stood confronting him, with rs
brave, calm face, white and set, as ever
looked out on peril. He saw his pistol
in her hand, aimed steady and true. lie
stared one moment, then leaned quickly
and blew out the lamp. She brought
the candle forward and threw the light
upon him. She stepped forward into the
room.
SEQ back" she said; '.step backward
to the wall If you turn or lit your hand
L will kill you''
He knew that she would. lie backed
away.
Look in my face she said.
He lifted his eyes and looked at her
with a sullen, sheepish, villainous face.
''Iou are in my power, she went ON.
Il will have two men here in fifteen
minutes at most. You know the penal
ty of this nights work-ten years in
prison cell. If you answer me truly, I'll
let you 20 your way. If you try to yet
away, IL fire, and shall not miss
She paused a minute, then went on
'N here Is the man you waylaid - She
never doubted that he knew.
''larson's got him." lie said, in a low,
hoarSe voice.
''What do you mean Speak plain
Eli have no shamming"
Il amt shammin'. Parsons got
him.