Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-08-26

cealed themselves In the bank to await
the departure of its officers, and now
were prepared to break into the
vaults.
Gfasping the high stool on which he
ordinarily sat, Mark glided across the
room and stationed himself on one side
of the Office door. Scarcely had he
done so when it was opened and the
foremost burglar entered, to receive a
heavy blow from the STOOL which
sent him reeling back into the passage.
way.
His astonished comrades looked cau-
tiously in through the open door, and
cried
"Hurrah only one mani Well
soon finish him. Come on, down with
him |"
Five men rushed into the apartment.
but Mark had been too quick for them,
With sudden bound he crossed the
room and placed his back against the
iron door opening into the passage to
the vaults below.
Fast and furious were the blows
aimed at him, but his long legged stool
proved an admirable weapon of defense
not alone repelling the attacks of bis
assailants, but laying one of them in.
| sensible on the floor.
"Hang 1t, well have to use powder,
after all, and to risk the noise" ex
claimed one of the robbers and as he
spoke he presented pistol at Mark and
fred.
The stool dropped with crash from
the latter's powerless hands and he fell
heavily to the floor, the blood flowing
from wound in his side, and he saw
one of their number draw bunch of
skeleton keys from his pocket and fit
one to the door, then all grew dim be-
fore him, and he knew no more until
he opened his eyes to find himself in q
dnrkehed room.
"Where am r." he asked, and the
sound of his voice startled bin, so low
and weak was it.
No answer was made him, but d
slight graceful figure started up from
his side and sped from the room. A
moment later Mr.. Morton entered and
stood at the bedside. Mark repeated
his question.
lyon are in my house, my dear boy"
was the reply. "You have been very
i'll for weeks, and must not attempt to
talk, though you are better now. Hush
not a word"
The young man was too weak to op,
pose the mandate, so he closed his ewes
and soon sank into mild and peaceful
slumber.
A few days subsequently, when Mark
was stronger, Mr.. Morton told how the
Waterman, entering the bank in COM
pany with friend, had been startled
by pistol shot, and fastening in the
direction of the sound, had discovered
the robbers in the act of opening the
iron door which Mark had SO ably de-
Tended. The men had fed, all save
one who lay on the floor insenslble.
Him they gave into the charge of
policeman whom they summoned; and
he had since recovered and turned
States evidence, so that the whole
party had been captured.
As for Mark, they had thought him
dead at first, but Mr.. Morton, sent for
in all haste, had conveyed him to his
own house; and called the wavering
spirit back to life again.
Marks eyes frightened es be heard
this story, and he asked
''Then the robbers got nothing?"
''Not dollar, thanks to your bra
very"
''Thank heaven for that! I have
atoned for my sinl'
"You have, indeed, my dear boy"
was the earnest reply; "and here is your
reward. Take it, for now you are wors
thy oft"
He drew his blushing daughter from
behind the curtains which up to this
moment had concealed her from
Marks view, and placed her hand
in the thin, emaciated one of her
lover
81 told her all, Marx, but she never
wavered in her love. You are worthy
of each other. You have each passed
through the furnace of affection
and have come forth purer and
nobler."
A sweet, happy smile played over
the young mans wasted features as he
clasped the hand of her he loved in bis
own.
s.Thank heaven" he murmured my
atonement is in truth accepted, for man
has forgiven my sin, and God Is yet
more forgivlng than he. / have found
peace again once more.
| And Mark was right, as his subse-
quent life of joy, prosperity and useful
ness testified.
| To be doctor among the Indians in
wolves no little risk. At Inyo, Oalifor-
MIA, a short time ago, medicine man
/ -. L l.. &c h