The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-09-03
BRAVERY AND DEVOTION.

SOME ten or fifteen miles beyond tn.
mountains. in the immediate vicinity o
Trieste, over among the rugged passes o
the Carnic Alps, there is Il small hamle
OF huntSmen'S dwellings, and anon.
them, though somewhat isolated. is ;
sort of rough inn. which used to serve Il:
Il waS>ail-housc for travellers on thei
way to and from Laybach 1t was ;
cold, hlu>,ry evening in March. and
though there was no storm. yet the
blasts rs they came sweeping and whist
ling. whirling and bowling down the
mountain sides failed not to drive the
people TO the cheer of the tircside
Within the har-room of this humble
inn were collected half dozen of the
Anime hunters. who passed the mug and
tankard with good zeSt, now breaking
into happy chorus, and anon lending /;
willing ear to a tale and Il joke. Will,
near 10 the blazing fire sat two men
strangers in the place, who had arrived
Just al nightfall and engaged entertain
mcnt and rest for the night.
These two travellers looked not much
like common men. but there was a
something about their Countenances that
attracted more than one passing atten.
tion from the hunters. They did not be
have rs honest men would be supposed
10 behave; for in all their movements
there was an evident aim to escape OBJ
>ervation. They had horses in the sta.
hlc. and were provided with large travel
in-- sacks. which sacks were either en-
tirclv or nearly empty. Ever and anon
one or more of the hunters would cast a
tUrtive glance toward the strangers. and
once or twi e they endeavored to draw
the twain into conversation but the two
men persisted in remaining by them
selves. and ere long they retired to the
room which had been allotted to them
MarCclline. said one of the hunters.
middle-aged man, addressing bloom
nv maiden who stood behind the bar.
- does Aitzort return Tonight"
No. sir" replied the girl; he comes
not till the morrow
And has your master left you alone"
asked the hunter
oh, no: Altzorf has left Lubin with
me-
" Blu, Lubin is only boy-a mere
lad"
Well, what of that" replied Marcel
line, looking witha somewhat inQuisitive
glance at the hunter.
"th, nothing, said the man. cndeavor-
ing 10 hide as much rs possible the fears
or suspicious he entertained: "Only
do not exactly like the looks of those two
men whom YOU have just shown to their
rooms.
Several hunters Immediately conceded
with this opinion. but Marcelline LAUGHED
at their suspicious.
What an idea" she said. why,
what do Won take them for"
1T is not impossible that they are rob
beers. returned the first speaker.
lla, ha" laughed Marccllne Rob
hers in such place as this! Let's see.
There are about twenty groschens in the
drawer and | have exactly seventeen
kreutzer> in my little box upstairs. What
a place for robbers! My master took all
the money with him to Trieste save that
| have mentioned"
MarCcllinc. said the first hunter who
had spoken. as he stepped forward and
bent his head over the bar. do YOU
know If your master received in trust
Il large wooden box from an old monk
who lately went to the convent of st.
CcCilia:"
Yes, he received such one" replied
the maiden, land it is even now locked
up in his strong room
That box contains the massive silver
plate and ornaments of his convent. The
monk left it till his return"
"Nell. It's not likely that these men
can have heard of that Marccllinc re-
piled, betraying a slight surprise at the
knowledge She had just received; land
il they had they would not surely dare to
rob the house
Il don't know about that" returned
the hunter. Even in large cities these
r"bterics take place. You had better let
either Justin or Roland remain in the
house tonight
ION, no, had rather nOt-folks would
talk" uttered the maiden, as she looked
with deep blush upon two fair youths
among the hunters who had thus been
designated to her
Marcclline remained firm in her deter
to accept of no assistance. or
rather guard. from the hunters, and ere
long they departed to their several homes
The maiden was left alone in the bar
room, and as she found herself thus soil
tary She could not repress the fear that
came over her.
Half an hour passed away, and Lubin
came in from the stable. Marcclline, how
ever, said nothing to him of what had
but only requested him to be
in readiness to respond to her summons
in case she should have occasion to call
him during the night. The boy went up
to his bed. and once more the maiden was
left alone.
Nothing broke the stiffness of the
night save the blasts that howled among
the Alps. and for half an hour longer
She sat by the fast-dccaying embers of
the fireplace. The maiden thought sure
lv that if the strangers meditated harm
they would have been ere this on the
move: and with the thrObbing heart of
her fear-laden bosom somewhat quoted
she rakcd up the embers upon the hearth,
eNtinguished the lamp that hung above
the bar, and then taking her candle she
started for her room
Marcelline had passed through the
narrow entry. assembled the stairs, and
had her hand upon the latch of her own
door when she was confronted by one of
her stranger guests.
DO you want anything. sir!" asked
Marccline, hardly conscious of what
She uttered, but using the phrase purely
from the force of habit.
Yes, pretty one, do" the man re-
turned. II want AltZorf"s strong box ;"
Mercy. sir you would not rob u.s."
oh, nO-not you. It's only those bau-
blcs which belong to the convent we
want; SO bestir yourself and show us
where they are"
II shall shrek, sir! shall cry out
for help exclaimed Marcelline, as she
essayed to start for the stairs.
"Oh, no, sweet one," the villain re.
turned, Significantly pointing his pistol
at the girls head, and at that moment he
was Joined by his companion, who had
Just come from Lubln's room. Marcel
line first thought of resistance, but she
soon found that she could gain nothing
by that; and, besides, the robbers not
only threatened her life, but they vowed
that they would break in every door and
partition in the house until they found
the box Under these circumstances the
girl thought it best to reveal the hiding
place of the box, trusting, however, that
something might yet turn up to assist
her, and accordingly she led the way to
the bar-room, at the back Of which was
= small apartment. Taking key from