The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-01-21
thanks I'll get for it, doubt. Hark

thanks tl1 I'll get for it, I doubt. Hark
What's thatp
1t was q sound outside the doors
slow, solemn grating of wheels. Their
feet trod the pavement and the bell rapi
family.
"a carriagep cried Maggie. "Has he
changed his mind and brought her home
at once? But that can't be-he's not
married yet" And taking one of the
candles, she trotted to the door, but not
before the bell had rung again.
Who's that?" she cried, holding the
door slightly ajar.
"a stranger" said voice; zone 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 stranger,
" You are Margaret Black ?"
"Thats my name."
"Mr. Van Motifs housekeeper for TWEEN.
ty yearsw
"Yes."
"My good woman, if you are attached
to your master, l have bad news for
YOU"
"Gracious Lord 7" cried Maggie, but
she did not open the door much wider
only enough to thrust her 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 has been an acci-
dent"
"Preserve us!" cried Maggie, letting
the door fall back, "and him on his way
to his wedding. He's hurt badly,
then? ?'
"He's dead" said the man. "Dead,
and we've brought him home."
Maggie sat down in a chair and began
to cry.
"We've done what VIC could" said the
man. "The lady he was to marry, and
her friends, will be down tomorrow.
Meanwhile, my instructions are that you
shall watch with me, and allow no stran-
ger to enter the house. There are valu-
able things here, Pm 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. Pm not afraid, but-Oh,
dearW Then she shrank back and let
two men carry a horrible coffin into tho
parlor. They came in with their hats
off, and the other man held his also in
his hand.
"I regret to leave you all alone in the
house." he said.
81 don't mind that" said old Maggie,
but it's terrible, terrible"
Would you like me to stay?" said the
man.
"No," said Maggie. "Pve no fear of
living or dead folks. You can Co."
Then she locked the door and went
into the parlor, putting the candle on the
coffin through her tears.
+" He was good enough to me-" she
said; "poor Mr.. Archibald! And this
comes of wanting to marry at this time
of life, and gallivanting on railroads. 1
wonder whether he is changed much.
I'll take look" and Maggie crossed the
room and lifted the lid over the face of
the inclosed body. "I'll take look, !"
she said to herselfagain. "Pm not afraid
of dead folks"
In a minute more Maggie dropped the
lid again and retreatod, shaking from
head to foot. She had seen within the
coffin face with its eyes shut, and with
bandages about the head, and the CHASTITY
features of clown in circus, minus the
red mouth. But it was q living face,
well chalked, not the masters; and Mag
gle knew at once that she had been hum
buggcd, that this story of her masters
death was lie, and that a burglar lay
within the coffin ready to spring upon
her, or perhaps murder her at any mo-
ment. She could, of course, open the
door and try to escape; but the accom-
plices of the man were doubtless outside.
1t was long distance to the nearest
house, and, even if they did not kill her,
they would execute their purpose and
rob the place before she returned.
master looks natural" said Maggie
aloud, and tried to collect her though hts.
Mr.. Van Motifs revolvers were in the
other room, she knew, loaded, six shots
in each. Maggie could use pistols. She
had aimed at troublesome cats with great
success more than once. If she could
secure those pistols she felt safe.
"POor, dear MASTER" she sobbed, and
edged toward the back room. "Poor,
dear master"
She lifted the desk lid. She had them
safe. She glided back to the front par
lor and sat down on chair. She turned
up her sleeves and grasped pistol in
each hand, and she watched the coffin
quietly. In half an hour the lid stirred.
A cautious hand crept up the side. A
willy eye peeped out. 1t fell upon the
armed figure, and closed again.
"You'd BETTER" said Maggie to her
SELF
Again the head lifted. This time
Maggie sprang to her feet.
You're fixed quite handy" she said,
coolly. "No need of laying you out if l
fire, and ! can aim first rate, especially
when Pm afraid of ghosts, as be now."
The head bobbed down again. Maggie
reseated herself. She knew this could
not last long. 1t was as she supposed.
A moment more and the coffin was
empty, and ferocious young fellow sat
on the edge and thus addressed her:
"We mean to do it all quiet, and don't
want to frighten old women. Just put
them down."
"Pm not frightened" said Maggie.
"Pm coming to take them things away
from you," said the man.
"COme," said Maggie.
He advanced one step. She took aim
and he lodged, but the bullet went
through his left arm, and it dropped by
his side. Furious with pain, he dashed
toward her. She fred again, and this
time wounded him in the right shoulder.
Faint, and quite helpless, he staggered
against the wall.
"There, you've done it, old woman
he said. "Opent the door and let me out.
My game is up"
"Mine isn't" said old Maggie. "Get
into your coffin again, or this time I'll
shoot you through the heart"
The burglar looked piteously at her
but he saw no mercy in her face. He
went back to the coffin, and lay down in
it. Blood dripped from his wounds, and
he was growing pale. Maggie did not
want To see him die before hcr eves hut