St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-11-22

glance that way; but listened as she
passed, with hearing quickened by ap-
prehension, she was certain she heard IA
stealthy movement. Again it required
an effort to control the impulse to run
and scream. She did close the kitchen
door rather hastily, and came into
Lucv's presence with face so differ
ent from the ono with which she left it
that the latter exclaimed,
"Oh, Bertha you're white as a
sheetw
"White? Nonsense Pm only cold.
The loom was like tomb"
"Bertha-Lucy's voice dropped to an
awe stricken whisper-''did you see
any thing?"
81 saw all 1 expected to see-the
walls and furniture. l didn't see any
thing else," was the unnecessarily loud
reply.
"You didn't? Oh dear!" said incon-
sistent Lucy. "Well, then, let's go to
bed.'
''Don't go just yet," Bertha said, feel
ing that she must gain time somehow.
81 must. Pm dreadfully worn out"
"Well, then, you'll have to go alone.
[ shall stay up while"
"Why, what for2 How unreasona-
bIel"
What for, indeed Bertha's brain
was in such whirl that she thought
she was going crazy as she sat by the
fire, trying to warm her trembling
hands.
''Let's try some more maggie" she
said, desperately. "Hallow-eve only
comes once year. l don't feel the
least sleepy. Let's roast some chest
nuts. That will be good fun"
"Chestnuts Those that were gath
cred were all left outside in the store
house. l know, for wanted some to-
day, and it rained too much to get
them"
An idea darted into Bertha's head.
She rose to her feet, saying, in careless
tones, still intended for the listener who
she WAS sure was just outside the kitch-
Ell door, "Well, come and get them
now, then"
''Go ont doors at this time9 Have
you lost your wits? For mercy's sake,
what makes you speak so loud ?" she
ended, querulOusly.
Something in her sisters face checked
her here, and brought her to her feet
in obedience to an imperitive motion
lioII tHo llUtti, w Ho diltduA ndu lDe
key to the outer door in her hand.
"Why should you he afraid ?" Bertha
said, forcing laugh. "NOthing ever
happens here. It's bright moonlight
Wen lock the door and be back in
few minutes with the chestnuts." And
again look checked the query on
Lucy's white lips.
In another moment they were both
outside. Then without word of ex-
PLANTATION Bertha seized her sisters
hand, saying in an. agitated whisper,
''Don't stop to ask why. Run with me
as fast as you can !" and she started
swiftly down side path, almost drag
ging her half-paralyzed sister with her.
If they only were not followed at
once! 1t seemed to Bertha the only
chance lay either in getting help or in
drawing the robbers away in pursuit.
She knew that the outlaw in the house
would soon discover their flight, but
she was most apprehensive of the ac-
complice concealed outside.
On she went ut desperate speed, un-
der wet branches and over sodden |
ground. Lucy kept at her side with |
difficulty. But just lis they struck the
main avenue near the street gate Bertha
looked behind, and this time could not |
suppress IL cry of alarm. A mans figure |
was dashing down through the moon
light in full pursuit. Lucy looked also.
uttered scream of terror. tore her
hand from her sisters and rushed away |
among the thick trees on the right. |
Bertha did not stop. She knew the
man would not follow Lucy. He would |
pursue the one running toward the vii
lage, and stop her at all hazards. And /
the nearest house was at the cross
roads, mile away !
She had been famous runner in her
girhood. Remembering that her pur-
suer was heavy and thickest, she took
courage as she sped like an arrow along
the lonely mOOn-lit road. On and on,
past woods, past fields, past meadows,
she ran as she had never run before,
still spurred to greater efforts by the
quick footballs behind
The distance had never seemed so
great. The rObber kept close in her
rear. 1t seemed ages before she reach
ed the tree that marked the half mile
Would she never come in sight of the
cottage at the rOss-roads And oh,
suppose the people were away But
no they were Americans Hallow-eve
would he nothing to them. And she
ran with renewed energy, though her
breath came in painful gasps, and the
stones cut through her thin, soaked
slippers.
On and on. Still the man behind
held his own, and even seemed to gain
at times. Her brain whirled, her feet
faltered, but the next turn would bring
her in sight of the cottage, so again she
took heart.
But her pursuer was also desperate.
Despite her exertions he came nearer
and nearer. She could hear his NUT
tered curses and hard drawn breath as
she struggled on, still many rods dis
tant from the cottage gate. Oh, better
die than be caught and be at the mercy
of that ruffian
1t was just then that she became
aware of another sound, sharp and dis
tlnct, ringing through the night silence
the tramp of horse on one of the
crossroads. 1t was surely approach
ing. With her last reserve of breath
she uttered wild scream for help that
brought volley of oaths from the mis-
creant, who had seemed to be almost
overtaking her.
The tramp changed to a gallon.
Faster and faster it came on, and pres
emily a rider dashed around the corner.
Bertha recognized the tall form bending
forward in the saddle, the eager gray
eyes and martial bearing. ''ColoneI
Dudley w she cried, and the next mo-
ment only saved herself from falling by
grasping the fence. Her deliverer was
off his horse in Il moment, uttering an
exclamation of wonder.