The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1875-07-29

cooked deliberately, and pointed at
her head. ,..
"Show me tho place where the tin
is hidden, or I'll blow your brains
out
Like lightning varied train of
thought rushed through the head OF
the girl iu that one instance a score
of plans to evadc the rascal, anl
simultaneously discard them rs i'm
practicable.
There she was alone, helpless, n
weak girl almost milo from any
other human habitation, nnl in such
storm it was by no means likely
that any one would DO passing by
from whom she conld claim assis-
tance.
For second sho thought of risk :
ing everything to escape by tho out
or door, and. trusting to tho dark
ness aud her knowledge of tho way,
to attempt to reach Mr.. Turner =
and seek protection.
But tho man soomed To divine her
thought, for he stepped between her
and tho door.
"No. my beauty, you don't play
that game on me !" ho said with n
sardonic smile. And now Ill givo
you just three minutes to decide
what you'll do. lfyou you will show
me where tho money is, swear not
to do you harm if you refuse, l
swear to kill you, aud trust to luck
for finding it without your help.
He took out his watch and stood
regarding it and Margaret alternato-
ly. AS she stood there. faint and
gid 1y with fear, u new idea penetrated
Margaret Il brain, and she was in just
tho state of desperation which stops
ut no sacrifice however great Come
life or death she must savo tho mo-
noy for which her friends had toiled
SO long aud earnestly, and tho loss
of which would involve them in rum
Az she thought she saw n way to do
it, though it would compass her dc.
struction.
"You may put mp your pistol she
said calmly. II will show you where
the money is concealed -
"That's sensible, my dear" said
tho man. 'It's not often that sense
and n pretty face 20 together. But
You're an exception. Como be lively
now."
She took q candle from tho table
selected ono from a bunch Of keys il
u basket hanging from the wall, m |
bado him follow her.
She led him up stairs to the doc,
Of the oak closet, applied tho key
and opening tho door pointed to the
black box in tho farther corner oi
the closot.
"You will find what you seek
there"
She stepped back for him to enter
but he seized by the wrist and pulled
her along with him.
81 know your game said he
you would get me into that cursed
close hole and then lock tho door
upon me. Take ont the key and fling
il down the stairs, and come in with
me. shln't eat You.
She obeyed him literally, AMI rs
they stood together in the stiiling
place, which was scarcely larg,
enough 10 contain them, Margaret
with the hand which the lattor had
let free, seized on tho door and pulled
il to-
1t shut with n sharp click-shut
and locked Mt the same timo.
A iicrco oath burst from tho bur
glar.
"Wbat do you mean p he criel.
"Hell and furies | shall sutlocat,
here ! Open the door; or Twill shoot
YOU
"Do as you pleas ,, said Margaret
defantly "the door has spring locl
and can be opened only from the
outside. And unless some ono CONES
to our relief, wa shall remain here
until We die, which will bo only q
few hours at the most -
"You-sh devil Why have you
done this :" no demanded, hoarsc
with rage. "Don't you know that
you will die too 2"
"Certainly but | prefer death t.
the ruin of my best friends If We
dio here--as we shall without doubt
the money shall be saved
The oaths, and threats, and curses
of the man were fearful--but Mar
garet felt no fear. Something above
and beyond herself sustained her
and she was happy in the conscious
ness that hor life would purchase tho
old home for her kind benefactors
Tho close torpid mir weighed upor
her like lead--alroady the bad wretcl
who was her companion sunk stupi
fed to the floor. All her past lif,
came up before her-she remembered
things long ago forgotten she saw
faces dead and buried she heard
voices long mute beneath tho gray,
clods, and then life and sense faded
out, and she knew no more.
@-"God's Ways are not oul