The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-10-14

But every effort was frustrated,
for again and again the strong hand
OF the robber thrust her back.
ssSee, it's clothes will he OH fire i'm
minute,'' said the man, putting
the helpless innocent closer to the
flames. The mother locked into
his eyes. She saw there the look
of heartless determination. She be
came aware that the cotton gar
ments Of the child were smoking
with the heat.
"How shall it be ?'' asked the
ruffian. "Hurry, or the child dies.
l have no time to waste here.''
"Come," exclaimed the man,
touching her rudely with his foot /;
"you have not told me where the
money is.''
s'In a box on the upper SHELF"
she said, pointing to the closet.
The man found the box, placed it
on the table, and opened it, saying !:
$50 far, SO we'll. It is nearly all
gold. | will pocket it with your
leave or without your leave, just as
you please.' He filled his pockets
with the golden coin, and threw the
empty box into the fire. Then he
come and stood beside her.
N'Put the baby in the cladle,'' he
said, eff you wish to save its life. l
have other business with YOU"
"What do you mean 20 cried
Milly, eyeing the man with suspi-
cion.
"Let me have it, he said, trying
to take it.
"No, no, l will put the baby i'll
the cradle myself. You shall not
touch the poor little thing. Now,
sir" she continued, almost choking
with excitement, '.wEat is it?'' After
having laid the pretty infant on its
downy place Of rest, she stood erect
and waited the reply.
''F am going to kill you!' said
the man.
ssKill me 90 she exclaimed. her
face growing pale with terror. stkill
| me What have / ever done to
you that you should kill me 90
Nothing, nothing my dear, only
you know you have seen me, and
you will know me again." And he
advanced upon her.
90, sir, let me live. Have yor
not done enough to take my hus
bands money, without deprivins
him of his wife too? ] will nevel
say one word against you if yor
will only spare me, only spare me p
AS she spoke she clasped he
hands aud looked imploringly a
him.
ssI am sorry that I cannot safel,
grant your request" he responded
ssThere is no help for it, SO come
alone out of doors.
He reached out his hand to grasl
Milly. But the instinct of seltipres
ervation was strong upon her. SIN
evaded him, flew to the chimney
piece, snatched her husbands loaded
rifle from the hook on which i
hung, cooked and presented it a
the breast of the robber. Her mo
tions were SO rapid, that before h
could prevent it, her finger hat
pressed the trigger and there wa
an explosion. But with equal readi
ness the man had stepped aside, TIN
ball passing over his head, and tn
next instant his gripe was on he
throat.
will teach you to handle arms,
he said. "You would have kille'
me, would you? | will show yo
a trick worth two of that
6 Mercy, mercy" cried the terri
fed woman.
"There is no mercy for you," h
calculated. He dragged her int
the entry and flung open the dool
:" Out with you into the snow.''
"Hold! what is this ?" exclaime
, a deep-toned voice. Unhand tha
, woman, you scoundrel."
A powerful man stood in the dool
way. He dealt the robber bio,
between the eyes which struck hir
back into the entry. His grasp o
Milly was relinquished, and she fe
to the floor.
GO, sir" she cried to the nel
conner, esave me! This man hs
robbed us, and would murder m
, that would not tell of it,
Fear not madam, he shall nc
harm you," responded the strange
! Fellow, surrender yourself!''
, "Get out of the way" cried tt
: robber, making q rush for the doc
> and striking at the stranger with
bowie knife. Giving back fe
? steps, the stranger seized the robh.
= hu tho Collar whirlnd him aro11n