Middletown transcript., 1877-05-26

1--WE must leave matters to take theiI
own course, for time, but we can con.
t tinue to be watchful and alert; Heaven
help and direct US %
The TWO heroic women resumed theil
employment with beating hearts, though
strangely calm and unconcsrned. to all
appearance The rude pine table was
covered with Snowy cloth, the plates
laid, and in a very few moments a
tempting repast was placed before the
two men. TO which they did ample jus
tice When the meal was concluded,
one of the men arose and expressed a
wish to retire This was just what
Ruth was expecting, and she placed a
lamp in hi. hand, and directed his at
teDtion To The only remaining apartment
of the hut Through this the guests
passed. after bidding their entertainers
a friendly goodnight
,'I don't see what eau have come
over me, Bill! I'm duced sleepy" ex-
claimed one Of them, when they we're
alone together.
II feel rather dozy myself, Tom, ;"
returned his companion Suppose we
lay down and rest awhile before we pro-
ceed to busines ? 1t cant do any hurt
for an hour or two"
"No, we shall feel all the better for
it."
The room was furnished with couple
of good beds, placed in opposite corners,
and each Of the rufians staggered to
one, threw himself upon it, and soon
they were both sleeping heavily. When
their guests had retired, Ruth and Lu-
cy remained quiet for some time. Then
the former arose, and listened a mo-
ment at the door.
They have fallen asleep. thank
God !" she said, as she heard their
heavy breathing. Nov, there is some
hope for Us !"
did you notice them when they left
the room ?" asked Lucy, in a guarded
tone. "The one who pretended to be
sick appeared to forget bis assumed
character, and walked as well and as
rapidly as his companion That alone
proves them all we had suspected, and,
merciful Ged We are alone with them.
and completely in their power! |"
"Do Dot despond." said Ruth, en-
couragiugIy. 1--WE are safe for at least
few hours to come That old wine in
their cups was drugged !"
Lucy stared at her companion, for
moment, in utter amazement.
p" remem Der you placed some upon
the table for them Did you add the
sleeping potion yourself :"
Yes We were nearly helpless and
in danger. and | have done sll that was
in my power. While under the infu-
ence of the drug have administered.
we can bind them, and even take their
weapons away. if necessary Mark
will be here before daybreak. and then
we shall be perfectly safe 1t was
last resort, but I think it will prove
successful
The brave hearted young wife pro-
cured two stout pieces of cord, and. CIV
ing one to Lucy, with few simple d.
rections. they entered together the a.
partment tenanted by their guests and
would-be murderers. They found the
men to be sleeping heavily, and with
out the least hesitation Ruth advanced
to the bedside of the nearest one. With
the cord she carried, she fastened the
rufian's hands together. and each end
was wound around the stout bed-posts,
so that it would have been next to i'm
possible for him to rise, or change his
position, unassisted Having done this,
she secured the knife and pistols 10 his
belt, and then turned to assist her friend
But Lucy was quite equal to the new
duty which had devolved upon her. and
Ruth found the rufian's companion to
be in nearly the same secure condition.
When completely convinced of their
comparative safety, and assured their
worst troubles were over. the unusual
strength and resolution Of these heroic
women entirely deserted them, and they
sank upon the floor weak and helpless,
but with happy and thankful hearts.
The hours dragged slowly away.
At last the men began to recover from
the effects of the drug which had been
administered to them, and great was
their surprise and fury when they dis
covered that they had been completely
outwitted, and by couple of women,
too They threatened and begged to
be released, but both alike were of no
avail Their captors were deaf to all
entreaties. for they were too well ac-
quainted with the natures of the men
with whom they had to deal.
just at daybreak. Mark Walton re-
turned After listening to the recital
of the perils that encompassed bis loved
ones in bis absence, he clasped his wife
and sister TO his bosom with thankful
heart. and blessed the infinite mercy of
him who had given them the strength
and resolution to gain such complete
victory.
The two rufians. ''BilP' aud Tom"
were discovered to be old offenders. and
we're dealt with accordingly. By some
means they had heard of Marks unex-
pected departure. and had attempted to
take advantage of his absence, feeling
satisfied that Ruth and Lucy were left
alone in the house. How they sue
ceeded the reader already knows. Mark
caused them to be removed to the near
est Jail, where they soon afterward met
the just punishment due for their many
crimes
Every man must patiently bide his
time; not in idleness. in useless pas
time, or querulous detection, but in
constantly accomplishing bis task, and
when occasion comes he may be equal
to it The talent Of success is nothing
more than doing what Won can do we'll