Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-06-20

they had gained admittance. The ma
who pretended to have been hurt
would occasionally. when he SCENE,
to forget himself. appear as well an,
strong as his companion; and tn,
two women began to feel yer.
anxious and sometimes cast fearfu
glanees at each other. They were care
ful, however, not to betray their ap
prehensions to their guests. Suddenly
one of them asked:
Do you live here alone, young wo-
men 2"
Kate to whom the question was
more particularly addressed, though
startled, managed to answer, quietly:
"Oh, no! My brother has been
called away en- business" !"
p" Will he return tonight?
/ don't know. He said he should
come back as soon as possible. He
never has been away over night, and l
expect him at any moment"
Kate Ellis said more than she really
believed. 1t was more than likely
Robert would remain at his friend s
house until morning. The violence of
the storm, and the darkness of the
night, would make it hazardous un-
| dertaking to set out for his home be-
fore dawn. She did not dare to let the
strangers know how utterly defenceless
| they were.
A few moments afterwards, as she
passed by them with noisless tread to
attend to some household duty, she
heard one of the visitors ask of the
other in low tone, evidently not in
tended for her ears, What shall we
do with these women, if they happen
to be troublesome. +" .
"Oh this will be the best way to
silence them" returned the other,
drawing his hand significantly across
his throat.
Kate shuddered, and for moment
a deathly faintness came over her.
She knew then ali the fears she had
entertained were not groundless. But
with the knowledge of her own and
Mary's peril, came the resolution to
meet it bravely. She possessed more
than ordinary nerve and courage under
her quiet demeanor and mastering
her momentary fear she crossed the
room to where Mary was preparing re-
past for their unwelcome guests.
Let me make the coffee, Mary"
she said aloud, then, in an undertone,
added, Be on your guard. These vii
lians mean to murder US Do not be-
tray by sign that we are aware oftheir
purpose. L have plan by which, if
you are brave, we shall escape"
Mary, by gesture, signifed that she
comprehended what was required of
her, and the heroic women resumed
their employment with beating hearts,
though Outwardly calm and uncon-
cerned. The rude pine table was COW
cred with a snowy cloth, the plates
laid, and in a few moments a
tempting repast was placed before
the two men, to which they did
ample justice. When the meal was
concluded, one Of the men leaned over
the other and whispered few words,
to which his associate nodded afhrma-
lively. The former then arose, and ex-
pressed a wish to retire. This was
what Kate was expecting; aud placing
a lamp in his hand, she directed him
to the adjoining apartment. The ruff
ans wished their entertainers friend
ly good night, and passing into the
room, closed the door.
= [ don't see what can have come
over me, Bill, exclaimed one of them,
when they were alone together. I'm
uncommonly sleepy"
& | feel rather dozy myself" said
the other "S'posing We rest awhile
before proceeding to business? There's
time enough An hours snooze will
do us good after our long tramp"
M agreeable. Ellis can't get back
before daylight, anyway. He'll never
suspect anything, for he will find Sut-
ton dyin, just as he was told. They'll
keep him there as long as possible"
The room was furnished with two
good beds, in opposite corners. Each
Of the ruffians staggered TO one, and
threw himself upon it; and soon they
were both sleeping heavily.
Kate and Mary Ellis who were
listening with anxious hearts in the |
outer room, at length heard the |
deep breathing of the guests. which |
told told them they were buried in
slupber.
"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Kate.
" Now we are safe
| cannot feel safe while they are in |
the house, responded Mary. Letus
fly at once, Kate The darkness and
storm are safer to encounter than these |
wretches when they are awake"
Il have better plan than that,
said Kate, going to closet and taking
out q long clothes line. Let US bind /
them while they sleep. Do not fear,
sister; we can do it easily enough. |
emptied the contents of the little bot
lie, which Robert brought home last |
week for your toothache into their cOf-
L. was "a pretty strong dose, too,
ggI 'nd m. " kilI them, but it was to save
'ur !. mS 1Iyes, ',uaml" exclaimed Mary. J
IN, NE ldqu. I9 q! we are indeed safe: /
hank aux heaVe. 70 think of that2 !
5ut how came you ved such thing, |
lever should have da. tba tote
or fear of their detectlL sid /
Fortunately they did %""
Kate. 40
4" But we must secure them at '0'
Ihlle the drug is operating.
The brave girl handed Mary a por-
ion of the rope, which she divided,
nd, followed by the other, entered the i
apartment tenanted by their would !
e murders. The rufians were COM t
le'eiy Over-powered by the potent 1
rug they had so unconsciously imbib- I
d, and the task of binding them was a c
comparatively easy one. Assured now t
f the escape from the deadly peril t
'hich had menaced them the unusual !
trength and resolution of the heroic
'Omen entirely deserted them, and J
ley sank upon the floor, weak and /
elpless, but with happy and thankful S
carts. a
The hours dragged slowly away. At o
Ist, the ruffians began to recover from !
he effects of the narcotic. Great was i
leir surprise and their fury when t
ley discovered how completely they
ad been outwitted-and that by a b
1uple of weak women Their threats I
nd entreaties were alike unheeded. b
he captors had no faith in their pro-
stations of innocence of any premed-
ated crime; and they at length were
,rced to become resigned to their fate
At daybreak, Robert Ellis returned. !
! L L