The Shasta courier., 1872-08-17

but her voice did not tret1ble as she con-
tinued the conversation, talking brightly,
just as she always did. Then with her
fingers: What shall we do?" Aloud !:
Sue, don't let us 90 to bed yet; this
this mooDlig is too bewitching not to be
enjoyed"
''CaB you use a revolver Z"
| A shake of head for answer.
81 ought to write half a dozen letters.
IF yeu are not sleepy, will write; you can
read, you know"
"But you did not tell me what that
fearful hubbub was?"
/ told her the whole story, laughing as
| told it, and making her laugh.
81 tell you what it is, Sue, l saw two
men in the village"
why, Madge, did you notice them,
too?"
''Yes, but, provoking thing, you never
let on that you saw them, so | didn't dare
say a word ,bout them. was sure, though.
that they were going to give us call"
&C" ell, Watch will teach them to con-
slider their ways, and be wise they won't
dare come again to night"
All the time l was racking my brain
for plan whereby We might escape the
danger. finally, | settled upon this we
must have Ann with us-she was a host
in herself
At three o'clock the stage passed along
with passengers from NJ for the early
train. We must manage until then, and
get assistance from he stage.
This 1 impaired to Mad ge she volun
teered at once to call Ann Kissing me
quietly, she glided away.
Ah me! such long minutes as those
were, while | wa alone with that wardrobe.
Once the door opened wee bit, then clos
ed again. Would they never come !?
Maybe they had deserted me- Just then
Madge appeared, and, holding her watch
before me, showed me she had been gone
only five minutes
Ann came soon, making great racket,
as she always did.
''Deed aud she wasn't going to stay
down therel What with the beast of a
dog and enny's snoring, she couldn't
sleep wink"
We teased her. and had as muoh fun to
all appearances as we would have had under
The IL ost favorable circumstances.
Only twelve O'Clock !!
81 shall be gray as rat, if this mono
tony continues much longerp' telegraphed
Madge
AS for me, l had perverse desire to
90 to Sleep.
Madge commenced reading abound
yawned SO omuously, that, frowning saw
ayely upon me, she tossed the book across
the room.
As minute after minute passed with no
| sign of lite within the wardrobe, AIMS
face settled into increduIity, and l fully
expected she would investigate matters for
herself. One o'clock
Out stepped our man with gallant bow
Excuse ME, ladies'; but your wardrobe
is uncomfortable and, as you seem ter
mined to SIT up all night, l couldn't afford
to wait longer
Ann walked to the door, locked it, and
pc cketed the key.
There was an instantaneous display of
five arms
-"lou see We are prepared for you," said
lie TUNED pale, and, being himself un
armed, was tor moment completely nom
plussed.
Don't think he had very much faith in
our ability to use our weapons, for he did
not hesitate to rush at Ann with chair,
evidently intending to make our number
ofe less. By this time my nerves were per-
tectly steady, and | gave him a gentle
"reminder' in the arm, 50 that he was in
measure helpless.
don't like to think of the hours that
followed. Tie fellow was coward, and
yet he kept US on the alert all the time
I've insisted persuasiveIy upon his confn
ing himself to one corner of the room, but
we could no. prevent him from hurting at
us every available thing within his reach.
A cologne bottle was aimed at my head
with precision. A scream from Madge
w.rped me, and throwing up my hand to
wa.d it of, received an ugly cut on the
wrist. Nothing more serious happened.
By-and by his curiosity overcaue him,
and he gruff1y questioned us, asking how
We knew he was in the house, how
iOuS VIC udu Auo"u IL, ClOStiiS Ills Cioso-
examination by pointing at Ann. and graci-
iously inquiring show that old fool came to
blunder up there. "You're deep ones" ;"
was his comment Holding up bottle of
chlorofornl, he said, admiringly, There's s
the thing that would have quieted you
down, if you'd given me half a chance"
Halt after two!
Madge looked at :. e, and simply saying,
"You need Ann more than you do me"
unfastened the door and disappeared
| l believe the house was haunted. At
any rate, dozens OF times | heard mysteri
Gus footsteps, upstairs downstairs, every
where Verify, a whole legion Of spirits
must have been abroad
| | could not keep still My nervous
promenade up and down the room attracted
the mans attention. He laughed taunt-
insly, and complacently informed me that
it was Ibis opinion Id give out pretty
sooD"
Ann watched me anxiously. knowing
that MY slender stock of strength was al
most exhausted.
Away IF caught the rumble Of the
stage.