The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-12-18

corner, and the old black cat sat on the
hearth blinking her eyes at the Cheerful
blaze.
Margaret read little and dreamed
great deal, us girls of her age are prone
to do when left to themselves. one
made very pretty picture If there nae
been some one to see her.
Her soft brown hair was unbound ana
fell ripping to her waist; her lar, rouhu
face was tinted us delicately PINK as
the inside of s sea SHE'LL her brown
ewes were dreamy and full of languor,
and her red lips were sweet and womaniy
enough for any true lover to find his
ruost happiness in kissing.
Slowly. at length, the old collin shaped
clock in the corner struck ten. Margaret
started up. She had not thought 1t was
so late. The evening had gone much
quicker than she had expected 1t would.
1t was not so dreadful to stay alone
after all; she said to herself.
She opened shutter and peered out
into the night. 1t was dark as Erebus,
and the wind and rain beat against IN"
pane ina perfect torrent. The Judge
would not think of returning on such II
night. u.,. ~
"Wen. Tommy" she said TO the cat, 81
ruess YOU and | and kitty will go to bed
We must be up betimes in the morning,
Won know. since there is none but US to
10 the chores.
As she spoke, she stopped to stroke,
Tommv but to her infinite surprise she
sow that the animals back and tail were
ercct-her eyes had changed to a CLASSY
green, and with panther like tread she
was making her way toward the door
which opened upon the cellar stairway.
And while she gazed, Margaret saw with
horror that the latch was slowly rising,
and the next moment the door swung
open with an ominons creak, and man
stepped into the room. He was a short,
thick set fellow, with sandy hair and
whiskers, a pale ferocious looking blue
eve set far back in his head.
80 no, my dear" said he you are
sole proprietor, it appears"
For Il moment Margarct's heart stood
still. but she was naturally brave, aud
sue was P'o"u d, WI ''. .oa.,d BIZ,
Il have that honor" she said, coolIyi
"who are you and what do you want?
II trust that you will excuse me if |
neglect ~ nv ny a., 60. w..
man with much courtesy LAS Tor my
business, | am quite happy " INFORM oI
about that. ! want the ei$ht In"u 81 III
dollars that the Juu$e drought ',"t ron,
RldGby last night ana 'ePeho o" 70"
to point 1t out TO me NJ
The indignant 1''I' III, nru ." -% ha,,
garet lNce' anu 9'' ""'"''''' ''''''
sharply: >.
Il will die before 90 rs you ASK
"lou shall nave your choice; .,
He produced pistol, when ne cooked
deliberately, and pointed 1t at her head;
"Show me where the TIN Is or l VIII
blow your brains out
Lik" lightning varied tram oil IhouS NJ
passed through the head OF the GIRL IN
that one instant of time she thought OF "
score of plans to evadc the rascal, and rs
soon as entertained, discarded them as
impractjcable.
There she was alone and helpless,
weak girl, almost II mile from any other
human hubltation, and IN storm II was
by no means likely that any one w'uiG
be passing by. from whom she could
claim assistance. 49,.
For moment she thought OF r''h'"E
everything to escape by the outer uHor,
and trusting to the darkness and her
knowledge OF the way, 10 attempt -
reach Mr.. Turner for protection.
But the man seemed to divine her
thought, for lac stepped between her ana
the door.
NO, NV beauty You cant play that
game on me" he said with sardonic
smile. And now IN give you three
minutes TO decide what you II 40 II YOU
show me where the money Is, swear not
to harm YOU II you refuse l swear 10 KIN
you and trust to luck for finding II WIN
out your help.
He took out his watch ana stood re-
gurding i. and Margaret alternately. As
she stood there, faint ana Siddy win rear
a new idea penetrated Margaret BRAIN,
and she was just in that state OF de>per"-
ton which stops at 10 sacrifice, however
great Come life or death, she must save
the money for which her friends had toll
cd so long and earnestly, and the loss OF
which would involve them IN rum. As
she thought, she saw way TO II, though
it would compass her destruction.
"You may put up your pistol, she
said, calmly 81 Will snow you WHERE
the money Is concealed"
That's sensible, nay dear. Its not
often that sense and apFetty face go to-
gether. But you re an exception No'i'c'
be lively, now"
She took candle from the table, select
ed one Ola bunch OF keys from II basket
hanging from the wall, and babe him fol-
low her.
She led him up stairs 10 the door OF the
oak closet. applied the key, and opening
the door, pointed to a black box IN the
further corner of the closet.
She slept back for HIM TO enter, but he
seIzad her by the waist and pulled hcr
L. l.