Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-02-08
BRAVE GIRL.

nightfall at an old fashioned tavern
The gentleman concluded to stop Their,
, instead of going on to the village O
s., which was ten miles distant, ant
which they had thought to reach. Thu
daughter-Carrie-expressed her will
q ingness, as the tavern presented a com
Portable appearance, and they alighted
when it was plainly to be seen that thu
gentleman was quite lame, so much 81
n that he was obliged to use a cane.
e The landlord came out, and calling {
boy to take the horse and sleigh to thu
Il barn, he ushered Mr.. Spencer and hi
d daughter into pleasant sitting room
where bright fire was burning or tht
It hearth, which proved very acceptable tt
!, our travellers. who had been in tht
e sleigh since morning.
:: Your room will be ready by supper
= time, sir" said the landlord, as he left
the room and went into the bar-room.
Supper was shortly announced, anC
after refreshing themselves, Mr.. spen.
Ger and Carrie returned to the coy sit
ing-room, where they talked and chat
ted until half past eight. They were
then shown TO their room, which was
on the second story, in wing some
, what distant from the main portion.
The room was very long. with high
ceiling. On one side was window,
and On the other a door. Just above
the door was bust Of King George
III. The room was plainly furnished,
containing two beds, wash-stand and
a few chairs.
Carrie took in the whole room at a
glance. and it must be confessed, had
there not been cheerful fire burning,
she would have felt nervous about
sleeping there. As it was the warm
glow liz up the room into comparative
cheerfulness.
While she and her father sat by the
fire, her eyes wandered to the bust
's ,'S.'' TTi'e.-.- Ike noticed that
the eye-balls had evidently Ueen snocK-
ed out, leaving two empty spaces.
well. Carrie" said Mr.. Spencer,
presently, Il think you had better lock
the door. l am going to count my
money"
After Carrie had done SO, he drew
out money-belt, heavy with bills, and
proceeded to count them. While doing
so, Carry's eyes involuntarily wandered
again to the bust, when, to her horror
and establishment, in place Of the emp
ty spaces were two glittering eyes,
greedy watching every movement Of
her father.
The young girl could scarcely repress
a scream; but controlling herself, she
looked toward the fire, while her father
went on counting large roll of bills.
L must have been mistaken"
thought the fair girl. what could
make me have such a strange fancy,
though? ?" she continued. glancing again
at the bust.
The eyes were still there-two burn
ing, savage eyes, that frightened as
Mr.. Spencer went on counting.
Good Heavens!" thought Carrie,
what shall we do! We are evidently
in den of thieves, and will be murdsr-
ed for my poor fathers money"
How to communicate their danger
to her father without those terrible eyes
noticing it, Carrie could not think. Sud
denly a bright idea came to her.
Father" she said, aloud, ''let ME
take card and pencil. 1 wished to
make a memorandum Of some items l
) want to purchase in the village"
Her father handed them to her, after
slowing away his belt. Carrie wrote
: trembling, in fine hand,-
''Father, do not be frightened, we are
in trap. Go in the opposite corner OF
the room, where your face will be in
the dark, and look at the bust above
the door. In it you will see two glitter
ing eyes that have watched you count
your money"
i Read it," she said, aloud, handing
the card to her father. Il want you to
see if you think am too extravaganza y
Her father betrayed no emotion while
he read, but said,
You are pretty extrayagant. Carrie
| suppose you think your father is made
of money!" and he arose and went t.
the washstand. which was in darl
corner.
Once there he glanced toward tht
bust, and that glance confirmed hi.
daughters extraordinary statement
When be came back to his seat, CARR,
saw that the eyes were gone. Then
leaning toward her father, she said in
low Tone
~ You see it is as | said. l hay,
20 thought of a plan, however, by whiel
= we can both escape. I on would b,
20 perfectly helpless IN an affray of an,
kind on account of your lame leg, so
must try to save US BOTH"
Then followed whispered consulta
, ton, during which Carrie kept her eye
fixed on the bust; but the glittering orb
! had not come back. As she concluded
Carrie went to the window, threw it up
. and looked out. Reckoning to he
father, who came, she said. or rattle
whispered
''You see this shed, father? Well
they will probably come up on it an
s. get in through the window. | do no