The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-11-20


As she spoke, Margaret stopped to strol'
Tommy, but to her infinite surprise she saw
that the animals paw and tail were erect
eyes had changed to a glossy green of rage
and terror, and with panther-lke tread hi
was making his way toward the door which
opened upon the cellar stairway.
And while she gazed, Margaret saw with
horror that the latch was slowly lifting
and the next moment the door swung oper
with an omincus crack, and man stepped
into the room. He was short, thick-set
fellow, with sandy hair and whiskers, and
pale, ferocious- looking blue eyes, set faI
back in his head.
$50, no, my DEAR" said he, "you are
sole proprietor it appears %
For an instant Margaret's heart stood
still, but she was naturally brave, and she
was proud as well, and would not allow
this man to see that she feared him.
81 have that honor" she said, coolly,
"who are you9 And what do you wante'
/ {" trust you will excuse me if l neglect
to introduce myself" said the man, with
much courtesy as for my business, l am
quite happy to inform you about that.
want the eight thousand dollars that the
Judge brought from Ridgely bank last
night, and depend on you to ront it out
to me-
The indignant blood rushed to Margaret S
/ face, and she answered sharply:
81 will die before will do as you ask!''
"You shall have your choice"
He produced a pistol, which he cooked
deliberately, and pointed at her head.
"Show me the place where the tin is
hidden, or III blow your brains OUT
Like lightning varied train of thought
rushed through the head of the girl, in that
one instance a score of plans to evade the
rascal, and simultaneously discard them as
impracticable.
There she was alone, helpless, a weak
girl, almost mile from any other human
habitation, and in such storm it was by
no means likely that any one would be
passing by from whom she could claim
assistance.
For second she thought Of risking
everything to escape by the outer door and
trusting to her knowledge of the way, to
attempt to reach Mr. Turner's and seek
protection.
But the man seemed to dvine her thought
for he stepped between her and the door.
"No, my beauty, you don't play that
game on me!'' he said, with sardonic
smile. "And now I'll give you just three
minutes to decide what you'll do. If you
will show me where the money is, l swear
not to do you harm; if you refuse, swear
to kill you, and trust to luck for finding it
without your help"
He took his watch and stood regarding it
and Margaret alternately. AS she stood
there, faint and giddy with fear new
idea penetrated Margaret's brain, and she
was in just the state of desperation which
stops at no sacrifice, however great. Come
life or death she must save the money for
which her friends have toiled SO long and
earnestly, and the loss of which would in
volve them in ruin. And she thought she
pass her destruction.
" Iou may put up your pistol" she said,
calmly. 81 will show you where the money
is concealed
THAT'S sensible, my DEAR" said the
man. "lt's not often that sense and
pretty face go together. But you're an
exception. Come, be lively now"
She took a candle from the table, select
ed one from bunch of keys in basket
hanging from the wall, and babe him to
follow her.
She led him up stairs to the door of the
oak closet, applied the key, and opening
the door, pointed to the black box in the
farther corner of the closet.
"Iou will find what you seek there"
She stepped back for him to enter, but
he seized her by the wrist and pulled her
along with him.
81 know your game" said he; "you
would get me into that cursed closet hole
and then lock the door upon me. Take
out the key and fling it down the stairs,
and come in with me. l shan't eat you"
She ebeyed him literally, and they stood
together in the sitting place, which was
scarcely large enough to contain them,
and she, with the hand which he had let
free, seized on the door and pulled it to.
1t shut with sharp cick-shut and
locked at the same time.
A fierce oath burst from the burglar.
"What do you mean ?" he cried. "Hell
and furies: l shall suffocate here! Open
the door, or will shoot you"
"Do as you please" said Margaret de-
family; "the door has spring-lock and
can be opened only from the outside. And
unless some one comes to our relief, we
shall remain here until we die, which will
be only few hours at most"
"You-the devil! Why have you done
this % he demanded, hoarse with rage.
"Don't you know that you will die, too?'
"Certainly; but l prefer death to the
ruin of my best friends. If we die here
as we shall without doubt-the money shall
be saved"
The oaths, and threats and curses of the
man were fearful-but Margaret felt no
fears. Something above and beyond her
self sustained her, and she was happy in
her CONSCIOUSNESS that her life would pur-
chase the old home of her kind benefactors
The close torpid air weighed upon her
like lead-already the bad wretch who was
her companion sank stupetied to the floor
All her past life came up before her-she
remembered things long ago forgotten-she
saw faces dead and buried-she heard
voices long mute beneath the grave clods,
and then life and sense faded out, and she
knew no more.
y
Judge Wallace found his sister better,
but the storm coming on it was deemed
best to remain all night, but early the next
morning he set off for home, accompanied
by his wife.
Arriving in sight of his house he was
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