Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-10-11

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engaged in some domestic duties; the
other was vacant, and entering it took
a seat upon the settee.
"The little girl came and stood by the
open door, fixing her large, earnest eyes
upon me with mournful intentness of
expression that never saw in any child
before.
81 smiled and held out my hand to
her. To my surprise she came directly
to me.
Touched by this expression of conf
denee in an entire stranger, no less than
by her exceeding beauty. 1 took her up
on my lap.
"'YOu are not my papa she said, re-
garding me with the same wistful look,
but. you look like him.
"'Where is your papa? 2 inquired,
more for the sake of talking than be-
cause | cared to know.
''The child shuddered and turned pale.
Just then the landlord entered. He
frowned as his eyes fell upon the child,
and looked uneasy.
You must not trouble the gentle
man. he said, in voice whose harsh
ness was in marked contrast to the
smooth. oily tones he had used in speak
ing to me- Get down and 90 into the
kitchen.
THE child shrank in mortal fear,
from that tone; and in spite of my de-
tanning hand slipped quickly from my
knee and left the room.
AFTER partaking of warm. substan-
tial supper, l requested to be shown to
my room, as l was desirous of taking an
early start in the morning.
The room into which the landlord
took me was a good sized room, and COM
fortably furnished. l observed that
there was only one window, and that one
very small and provided with shutters.
LAS l was examining my knapsack,
with my back to the door, heard a
faint rustic, and turning l saw the little
girl [ had observed below standing in
the middle of the room, with an express
sion upon her countenance which start
ed me as much as her unexpected ap-
pearance.
".Are you going to stay here to-
night 2 she said. in hurried whisper
"'Yes. replied. Wouldn't you like
to have me p
mo, oh no, she said. with the same
look and tone, and shuddering as she
spoke. This is dreadful place. Don't
stay If you do, they will kill you just
as they did
.Kathie Kathiep screamed the
harsh voice of the landlords wife, come
! down here this minute j
"Kathie's eyes dilated with terror
turning, she glided from the room as
quickly and noiselessly as she had en-
tered.
Listening, heard angry voices be-
low; then sharp cry, ending in piteOui
sobs, which gradually died away. as 4
the child were conveyed to some distant
part of the house.
FILLED with indignation and alarm,
opened the door. with the intention Of
interfering but feeling, upon second
thought, how useless any such attempt
would be, in my present situation,
closed it and went to the window.
placed my hand upon the shutters they
were iron, and firmly fixed into the case
ment.
"It did not take me long to decide
what to do. After examining my revol
yer to see if it was all right, l took my
traps and descended to the bar-room.
The landlord started with an angry
look when he saw me.
81 have concluded to resume MI
journey, | said. in as careless a tone al
could assume. Please bring my horst
| diractlr IN 4ba daar
Livery one to his fancy said the
man. glancing sharply at me from the
corner of his eyes but shouldn'
want to pass through Black Forest alone
such a night as this
You forget my trusty friend here,
said, touching my revolver significant
ly as | spoke
The villain covered for be saw il
moment that | understood him.
81 s'pOse you know your own busi
ness best" be muttered, sullenly, as b
went out for my horse
lit was with feeling of joy that
found myself again in the saddle, lionel,
and gloomy as the way was before me
Yet my thoughts reverted sadly to tn
sweet child, to whose timely warning
owed so much /; and determined to OF
tain search warrant and rescue her,
possible. from the cruel hands of thos
whom | felt could have no legal clair
on her.
81 soon struck into Black fores
which was composed principally of
and pine. to whose dark foliage it doub
less owed its name
"But soon the faithful creature ths
! had never failed me before. began I
, | halt. and finally became 80 lame a