The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-06-14


not soon enough, for the girls had al.
ready seen the action. Maud gave a
piercing cry, which resounded through
the building, and Kate, fearing that
Maud's alarm would instantly bring
forth the culprit, few to the chest and
bore down with all her strength upon
it. Kate ever after thought that SUI
perhuman strength had been sent to
her aid for Al -------t --suggIe nun
within showed she had strong arm to
contend with only once did her pris-
oner seem to gain the advantage, but
Kate had called loudly for Maud, and
the terrified girl came to the rescue.
Then they were safe, for the man was
so exhausted that strength failed him
and he could do nothing but writhe
and pour his useless threats on the in
nOcent girls. 1t was past midnight,
and the girls were so overcome with
fear and fatigue that their strength and
courage could have lasted but little
longer, when Maud quite suddenly ex-
claimed
"Listen, Kate, do you not hear foot
steps?"
Yes, Kate did hear some one walk
ing, and before they could conjecture
who it was, William, the butler, ap-
peared on the scene of action.
"Thank God!" they both exclaimed
in a breath.
Everything was hurriedly explained
to the faithful butler. Our heroines
then dismOunted from the chest, and
stood aside while William quickly pro-
coed to raise the lid of the chest. 1t
was indeed most revolving sight which
met their gaze for there crouched
man of about medium size, with a face
so villanous that the girls shrank from
his penetrating glance; his eyes were
deeply set under forehead so low that
nothing was discernible but quantity
of black bushy hair. The struggle
with his opponents had been SO long
and fierce that he had become horribly
bloated and disfgured. The lid of the
chest was not allowed to remain up a
sufficient length of time to allow the
culprit to come from his hiding place,
for William thought it wiser to let him
spend the rest of the night there, and
told the young ladies that he would get
the assistance of some friends and con-
veY their prize to Jail.
Morning dawned and brought with
it Mr.. Reynolds, who had been neces-
sarily detained in the city the night
previous. The story of their wonderful
was related over and over
again, and as Mr.. Reynolds listened,
he looked with unmingled pride and
love upon the two girls who had dis
played such heroism.
"My dear daughter" he said, at
length, 81 always was proud of you,
but never until this day did I realize
your true value. And" he continued,
turning to Maud, 81 am truly thank
full to see that my Kate has, out of her
many school friends, chosen yourself,
for you both showed very remarkable
bravery"
The girls naturally were very much
flattered by this speech, and Kate,
throwing her arms about her fathers
neck, declared there was never a "pa-
pa" to equal him.
l am very sure my readers would
not care to hear how the prisoner pro-
tested on being taken to Jail, and how
he poured out his curses on the men,
bers of that household. 1t is suffici-
ent to say that he was found to be
noted thief, and the trial ended by his
being sent to prison, where he was to
spend the rest of his miserable exist
ence.
X X
Years have passad since that event
full night. Maud and Kate are mar.