The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-11-29

i.e the ~6re-p}aoe~tAe-stra threw of |
bis disguise, and stood erect and strong,
without q sign 81: inoo1 venience from the
effects of the weather. Milly retreated
from him in amazement;: but, recovering
herself, and sputting the best face On the
maths ;'he penolo'''lz 'ds'e'esd TIE
~ am sorry, sir, you are 90 cold. It
il . bitter night to be- abroad. win you
not sit by the Arel' And she pushed .
chair forward. - 81. IT,, /, - ? :-.s..,s
The man made no response, bu t, stoop
ing over, ran his fingers through the blaze;
then he turned and stared at her with
look which made her blood run cold. A
bright thought came into her mind. She
would pretend there were others in the
house, for she already felt afraid of the
man, and bitterly regretted having admit
ted him.
"Would you like to see some of the
men folks, sir2" she inquired. ~1f 50, I
will call them from their rest" :
The man laughed hoarsely and re-
Piled
EMILY Dean, for that I believe is your
name, you cannot deceive me. You are
all alone in this house. Itook particular
care to ascertain that before I came. So
you may a we'll make yourself easy on
that score, and do as bid you"
Do As you bid met" exclaimed Milly,
in terror; What do you want of met"
II want the $1,000 in gold your bus.
band received for his produce two days
ago. You probably know where it is."
Milly sprung into the entry and would
have fled, but the stranger caught her
by the wrist and dragged her roughly
back.
:You cannot escape me, young wom-
an he said. "You will find it most con-
venient to make clean breast of it at
once. 1t will be better for you"
Milly stove to release her arm. The
rough treatment she received aroused her
temper, and indignation overcame all 9TH
er feelings.
"Let me 20, you scoundrel, let me 20,
or will call for help" she cried.
"Call, you FOOL" said the brutal fel-
low, land much good may it do you.
Keep yourself still, aud tell me where the
money is."
II will. not!" she exclaimed, her eyes
heshing fire.
"You will not?" he replied; tive shall
see"
He released her wrist so violently, that
she reeled half across the room. Then
he seized the sleeping infant from its
cradle, and held it at arms length al
most into the blazing fire, 20 that the ter
rifed mother expected to see its light
garments catch the flames.
"Now, then, where is the money!
Speak out quick, or hear your baby shrek
with pain. I will burn it to death before
your eyes if you ko not tell me where the
money is"
Monster, give me my child |" shrieked
Nilly, endeavoring the reach the little one.
"Let me have my babyr'
But every effort was frustrated, for again
and again the strong hand of the robber
thrust her back.
"See, its clothes will be on fire in a
minute" said the man, putting the
helpless innocent closer to the flame. The
mother looked into his eyes. She saw
there look of heartless determination
She became aware that the cotton gar
ments of her child were smoking with the
heat.
GLOW shall it be?'' asked the ruffian
'Hurry, or the child dies. have nc
time to waste here"
anything, anything, Only give me my
child!' she cried. The next instant il
was handed to her, and she sank upon the
floor and folded it to her bosom.
'Come," exclaimed the man, touching
her rudely with his foot, "you have moi
told me where this money is"
Tin the box on the upper SHELF" she
replied, pointing to the closet.
The man found the box, placed it on
the table, and opened it, saying;
So far, we'll. 1t is nearly all gold. !
will pocket it with your leave, or without
1t, just as you please" He filed his
pockets with the golden coin, and threw
the empty box in the fire. Then he came
and stood beside her.
"Put your baby in the cradle" he said,
IF you want to save its life. l have
VI
"What do you mean2 ~ cried Milly, eye
ing the man with suspicion.
"Let me have him" he said, trying to
take it.
mo, no, will put the baby in the era.
die myself. You shall not touch the
poor little thing. Now, sir" she contin.
ued, almost choking with excitement
''what is it," After having laid the
pretty infant on its downy place of rest
she stood erect and waited the reply.
II am going to kill vou!' said the
man.
"Kill mel" she exclaimed, her face
growing pale with terror. kill me
What have I ever done to you that you
should kill me2"
Nothing, nothing, my dear, only you'll
know me again" And he advanced up
on her.
"Oh, sir, let me live: Have YOU MOI
done enough to take my husbands mon.
ey, without depriving him of his wife
tool I will never say one word against
you If you will spare me, only spare me-
| As she spoke she clasped her hands
and looked imploringly at him.
II am sorry tnaC cannot safely grant
your request" he responded. There il
no help for it, so come along out DOORS"
He reached out his hand to grasp Milly
But the instinct Of self-preservation wa.
strong upon her. She evaded him, few
to the chimney piece, snatched her hus
bands loaded rifle from the hook or
which it hung, cooked and presented il
at the breast of the robber. Her motions
were 80 rapid that before he could pre-