The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-09-09


one of the candles she trotted t. the
door, but not before the bell had rang
again.
"Who's that9 she cried, holding
the door slightly ajar.
"A stranger" said voice, "ono
who has something particular to say
to you"
you'll have to wait for tomorrow"
said Maggie. "You can't come in to-
night"
"My good woman" SAID the stran-
ger, "you are Margaret Black r
"That's my name"
"Mr. Van Motifs housekoepor two
and twenty years?'
"Yes."
"My good woman if you are attach
ed to your master l have very bad
news for you"
"Gracious Lordw cried Maggie,
but she did not open the door much
wider-only enough to thrust he head
out. Don't scare me, mister What
is it ?"
"The worst you can think Of" said
the man. "Mr. Van Mott travelled on
the - railroad. There's been an
accident"
Preserve us?" cried Maggie, letting
the door fall back, "and him on his
way to the wedding. He's hurt badly,
| thenY
Giles dead" said the man. "Dead,
and we've brought him hone."
Maggie sat down on a chair and be-
gan to cry.
"We've done what we could" said
the man. "The lady he was to marry,
and his friends, will be down to-mor.
row. Meanwhile my instructions are
that you shall watch with him, and al
low no stragglers to enter the house.
There are valuable things here, I'm
told; and Mr.. Van Motifs lawyer must
take possession of them and seal them
up before strangers have access to the
rooms"
"Oh, dear, DEAR" cried old Maggie.
THAT it should come to this. Yes; ;
I'll watch alone, I'm not afraid, bus-
oh, dear"
Then she shrunk back, and let two
men carry horrible coffin into the
front parlor.
They came out with their hats off,
and the other man, held his also in
his hand
81 regret to leave you all alone in
the house." he said.
81 don't mind that" said old Mag
"but it's terrible. terrible"
"If you'd like me to stay" said the
man.
mo" said Maggie. "I've no fear of
living or dead folks. You can 60"
Then she locked the door and went
into the parlor, and putting the can
die on the mantle, looked at the coffin
through her tears.
"He was good to me" she said ;
"poor Mr.. Archibald And this comes
of wanting to get married at this time
of life, and gallivating on railroads. l
wonder whether he is changed much.
I'll take look" and Maggie crossed
the room and lifted the lid over the
face Of the enclosed body,
an take look" she said to her,
self again. I'm not afraid Of dead
; folks"
In minute more Maggie dropped
, the lid again, and retreated, shaking
from head to foot. She had seen, with
, in the coffin face with its eyes shut
and with bandages about the head
f and the CHASTITY features of clown il
circus, minus the red mouth.
But it was living face, well chalk
ed and not her masters; and Maggie
, knew at once that she had been wei
, humbugged-that this story of hel
masters death was lie, and that {
} burglar lay within the coffin ready It
r spring upon her, or, perhaps kill he
at any moment.
) She could, of course, open the doc
t and try to escape; but the accomplice
of the man were doubtless outside.
S was long way to the nearest house
t and, even if they did not kill her, the.
: would execute their purpose and rol
q the place before she returned.
"Master looks natural, said Mag
0 gle, aloud, and tried to collect he
9 thoughts.
i Mr.. Van Motifs revolvers were il
l the next room, she knew, loaded, ST
e shots in each. Maggie could use hi
[ pistols. She had aimed at troublesom
eats with great success more than once
t If she could secure these pistols sh
felt safe,
# "Poor, dear master" she sobbed
g and edged toward the back room.
e "Poor, dear master" She lifted tn
}. desk lid. She had them safe.
She glided back to the font parlo
Il and sat down on a chair. She turne