South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-04-06
A BRAVE GIRL.

In the spring or 1912. gentleman
anil his daughter. young lady. while
travelling throug', Canada. arrived about
nightfall at an old fashioned Tavern
The gentleman concluded 10 sto, there
instead or going on 70 the village or :
:" which was ten miles distant. and
which they had thought to reach. The
daughter. Carrie, expressed her willing
ness. as the tavern presented comfor-
table appearance. and they alighted.
when it was plainly to be seen that the
gentleman who was quite lame. SD much
SO that Re was Obliged to use cane
The landlord came out. aud calling n
boy to take the horse and sleigh to the
barn, he ushered Mr.. Spencer and his
daughter into pleasant sitting room.
There bright fire Was burning on the
hearth, which proved very acceptable to
our travellers, who had been in the sleigh
since morning.
Your room will be ready by supper
time, sir" said the landlord, IA he left
the room and went into the bar-room.
Supper was shortly announced, and
after refreshing themselves, Mr. Spencer
and Carrie returned to the coy sitting.
room. where they talked and chat,ed un
til half past eight. They were then
shown to their room, which was on the
second story. in a wing somewhat dis.
tant from the main portion.
The room was very long. with high
ceiling. On one side was window,
ard on the other door. just above
tue door was bust OF King George ILL.,
The room was plainly furnished. con-
fai, ftvn NO Il, n, 4
few chairs.
! Carrie took in the whole room at q
glance. and il must be confessed, had
there MOI been n cheerful fire burning,
she would have felt nervous about sleep.
ing there. As il was the warm glow lit
up the room into comparative cheerful
| ness.
While she and her father sat by the
fire, her eyes wandered to the bust above
the door. when she noticed that the eye.
balls had evidently been knocked out,
leaving two empty spaces.
well, Carrie" said Mr.. Spencer. pres.
entity, Il think you had better lock the
door. | AN going TO count my money"
After Carrie had doae 50. he drew out
a money-belt. heavy with bills. and pro.
ceeded to count them. While doing so,
Carries eyes involuntarily wandered
again to the bust. when to her horror
and establishment. in place of the empty
spaces were two glittering eyes, greedi.
" watching every movement Of her IA
Their.
The young girl could scarcely repress
n scream; but controlling herself, she
looked toward the fire. while her father
went on counting q large roll OF bills"
81 have been mistaken" thought tic
fair girl. What could make me have
such n strange fancy thought" she con-
tinucd 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 VIC do! We are evidently
in den Of thieves. and will he murder.
cd 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 bright idea came to her.
Father" she said, aloud "let me
take card and pencil. 1 wish to make
a memorandum OF somc items waat to
| tH'Nh"SC Ah VIZ
Her father handed them to her, after
slowing away his belt. Carrie wrote
trembling, in fine hand,--
Father. do not he frightened, wo 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 glittcring
eyes that have watched you count your
money"
Read it, she said, aloud, handing
the card to her father. | want to sec if
you think am too extravagant."
Her father betrayed no emotion while
he read, but said
"Iou are pretty cxtrava9ant. Carrie
| suppose you think your father is made
OF money; and he arose and went TO the
washstand, which was in dark corner
Once there lac glanced toward tie bust
and that glance confirmed his daughters
extraordinary statement. When she
came back To- his seat. Carrie saw that
the eyes were gone. Then, leaning TO-
ward her father, she said in low tone.
"You see it is as said. thought Of
q plan, however, by which we can both
escape. Y0u would he perfectly help
less in an ARRAY OF any kind on account
Of your lame les. so must try 10 save
ia both"
Then followed n whispered consulta.
ton. during which Carrie kept her eyes
fixed on the bust but TIC glittering orbs
had not come back. As she concude1
Carrie went 10 tile win low. threw IL up.
and looked out. Reckoning TO her IN.
tbcr. who came, she said, or rather wills.
I pcred.--
You sec this shed. father? Well
they will probably come MP on it and
get IN through the window. do not
thilk they will make the attack before
twelve. 50 will get out Of this window.
jump from this shed, 90 TO the barn and
take our horsc.and go TO = - for help"
Flinging n wrapper over hor slight
figure. she embraced her father tender.
! ~. and bidding him not worry over her.
{ shc jumped lightly out on the shed and
/ disappeared.