Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-08

1t was lust then that she became aware Of
another sound, sharp and distinct, ringing
through the night silence-the tramp OF a
horse on one of the crossroads. 1t was sure
lv approaching, With her last reserve Of
breath she uttered wild scream for help that
brought q volley of oaths from the miscreant,
who had seemed to be almost overtaking her.
The tramp changed to q gallop. Faster
and faster it came on, and presently rider
dashed around the corner. Bertha recognized
the tall form bending forward in the saddle,
the oager gray eyes and martial bearing.
Colonel Dudley {" she cried, and the next
moment only saved herself from falling by
grasping the fence. Her deliverer was off
his horse in a moment, uttering an exclama-
ton of wonder.
Miss Morris Miss Dertha What docs
this meany"
1t was not so easy to tell. Her pursuer
had dashed into the woods at the first sight of
the colonel, and she was near fainting; new
ertheless, she managed TO make the situation
understood. The colonel wasted no words.
He simply took her in his arms and carried
her to the cottage door, around which his
sturdy knocks soon brought the entire fam
lily.
Mr.. johnson, get your gun, and saddle
your horse, and follow me as soon as posi-
Die to our neighbor Morris's. There are rob-
bers in his house. Bring your sons with you
or let them come on foot Meanwhile your
wife must take care of this young lady :" and
before any one had recovered from their as
tonishment the colonel was off, riding at a
great pace down the road.
Bertha was too much exhausted to be yiv-
idly conscious of any thing during the hour
that followed She let the women take care
of her, but did not attempt to answer ques-
tions or to move until one of the sons Of the
family came riding back in haste.
Its all right reported this messenger
'leastways the robbers is gone and nobody
hurt But the young lady was found tainted
out under the trees, and the silyer's all taken.
The feller in the house didn't have time to
take no more Im to ride to town and get
the village out TO hunt him and the feller
that run after you"
TO use the conventional phrase, Bertha
woke the next morning and found herself
famous. The whole village was agog and
the greatest efforts were being made to cap
turc the robbers The carriage and horses
were at the door waiting to take her home.
There every thing was in confusion. Lucy
was in bed, and Mr.. Morris, in state of wild
excitement was actually dressed and down
stairs. 1t appeared that Colonel Dudley had
found back window open and the robbers
gone, and that Mr.. Morris, aroused and mis-
taking the colonel himself for a burglar, had
actually crawled to the head of the stairs and
shot at him, fortunately without effect.
Bertha had hard work to restore the distracted
household to order. Late that evening" when
Col Dudley rode over to announce the capture
Of the burglars andthe regainingof most of the
silver, the elder Miss Morris was still occupied
with her father whose efforts had brought on
an agonizing attack of rheumatism. From
Lucy's lips, however, the Colonel heard the
whole story of Bertha's adventure, and it is
needless to say that he was greatly amused
and amazed.
so You dared not 60 into the cellar, Miss
Lucy = he said, rather quizzically. "Were
you not even tempted by the possible sight of
your Glove ?"
ITO tell the truth, had been too unsuc-
cessful with the lead. Bertha, l suppose,
was curious to see if Fortune would smile
upon her again"
what was your sisters fortuneT" Colonel
Dudley asked, little too eagerly What
shape did the lead take for her 2"
The shape of soldiers cap and mus
ket, was the demure reply.
when the nine days wonder of the attempt
ed robbery had been talked over, the little
village had another sensation, which was a
matrimonial engagement between the two
principal actors in that nights drama-ColO-
mel Dudley and Miss Bertha Morris. And
the first present which the bride e1pectant
received from her fanc6 was two little gold
charms for watch chain-one tiny mus
ket the other an old-fashioned three-cornered
soldiers cap.-Hdrpey'S Bdzar