The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-07-29


and the other man held his also in
his hand.
Il regret to leave you all alone
in the house." he said.
II don't mind that" said old Mag
gle, ''but it's terrible, terrible"
':If you'd like NE to stay" said
the man.
No" said Mag lie. "I've no fear
of living or dead folk. You can
CO."
Then she locked the door and
went into the parlor, and putting
the candle on the mantel, looked at
the coffin through her tears.
"He was good enough to me, J."
she said poor Mr.. Archibald And
; this Genes of wanting to marry at
this time of life, and gallivanting on
railroads. 7 wonder whether he is
changed much. I'll take a look, y
and Maggie crossed the room and
lifted the lid over the face of the
enclosed body.
Ill take look" she said to her
self again. I'm not afraid of dead
folks"
In minute more Maggie drop
ped the lid again, and retreated,
shaking from head to foot. She
had seen within the coffin face
with it's eyes shut, and with ban
dages about the head, and the ghast-
" features of aclown in circus, mi
nus the red mouth.
But it was O. living face, well chalk
ed, and not her masters and Mag
gle knew at once that she had been
we'll humbugged-that the story Of
her masters death was a lie. and that
a burglar lay within the coffin, ready
to spring upon and bind her, or per
haps murder her at any minute.
She could of course open the door
and try to escape; but the accom-
plices of the man were doubtless
outside. 1t was q long distance to
the nearest house, and even if they
did not kill her, they would execute
their purpose and rob the place be-
fore she returned.
Master looks natural, said Mag
gle aloud, and tried to collect her
thoughts.
Mr.. Van Motifs revolvers were in
the next room, she knew, loaded,
six shots in each. Maggie could
use pistols. She had aimed at
troublesome cats with great success
more than once. If she could Sc
cure these she felt safe.
"Poor, dear master" she sobbed,
and edged toward the back room.
':Poor, dear MASTER" she lifted the
dcsk-lid. She had them safe.
She glided back to the front par
lor and sat down on a chair. She
turned up her sleeves and grasped
a pistol in each hand, and watched
the cofin-lid quietly. In half an
hour the lid stirred. A cautious
hand crept up the side. A why
eye peeped out. 1t fell upon the
armed figure and closed again.
You'd BETTER" said Maggie to
herself.
Again the head lifted up. This
time Maggie sprang to her feet.
"You are fixed quite handy" she
said coolly. :'No need Of laying you
out ii T fire, and I can aim irst-rate.
especially when I'm afraid Of ghosts,
IS T am now"
The head bobbed down again
Maggie re-seated herself. She knew
this could not last long-that there
must be a conflict before long. 1t
was as she supposed. A moment
more and the coffin was empty, and
a ferocious young fellow sat on it,
edge, and thus addressed her:
ave meant to do it all quiet,
be said, ';and I don't want to frighte1
old women. Just put them down.
II am not frightened" said Mag
gle.
II am coming to take them thing
away from you" said the man.
"Come,' said Maggie.
He advanced one step. She tool
aim, and he lodged, but bulle
: went through his left arm, and i
dropped by his side.
Furious with pain, he dashed to
; ward her. She fired again, and thi
time wounded him in the righ
shoulder. Faint, and quite helpless
he staggered against the wall.
"There, you've done it, old VIC
man" he said. "Open the doc
and let me out. My game is up"
"Mine isn't, said old Maggie
"Get back into your coffin again,
this time III shoot you through th
| heart"
The burglar looked piteously s
her, but he saw no mercy in he
: face. He went back to the cofh
). and lay down init. Blood droppe
from his wounds, and he was gro7
b ,olo NInnorio did not; want