The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-02-21
A BRAVE GIRL.

In the winter of 1912, q gentleman and
bis daughter, young lady, while travel
ing through Canada, arrived about night
fall at an old fashioned tavern. The
gentleman concluded TO stop there in
stead of going on to the village of s.
which was ten miles distant, and which
they had thought to reach. This daugh
acknowledgements her willingness
as tho tavern presented > comfortable
appearance, and they alighted, when il
was plainly to be seen that the gentleman
was quite lame, so much so that he waa
obliged to walk with cane.
The landlord came out, and calling 4
boy to take the horse and sleigh to the
barn, he ushersd Mr.. Spencer and his
daughter into q pleasant sitting-room
where 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 bs ready by supper
time, sir, " said the landlord, and he left
the room and won't into the bar. room.
Supper was shortly announced, and
after refreshing themselves, Mr.. Spencer
and Carrie returned to the coy sitting
room, whore they talked and chatted IN
til half:past eli ht. They were then
shown to their room, which WA on the
second story, in . wing somewhat dis
tant from the main portion.
The room was very long, with . high
ceiling. On one side was a window, and
on the other . door. just above the
door was bust OF King George ILL.,
The room was plainly furnished. con
tanning two beds, o wash stand and few
chairs.
Carrie took 10 the whole room at q
glance, and it must be confessed, had
there not been . cheerful fire burning,
she would have felt nervous about sleep
ing there. As II 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.
DWELL, Carrie" said MIR. Spencer,
presently, 81 think you had better lock
the door. | am gong to count my
money"
After Carrie had done 80, he drew out
q 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 glitlering eyes, greed
lily watching every movement of her
father.
The young girl could scarcely repress
scream but controlling herself, she
looked toward the fire, while her father
went on counting large roll Of bills.
81 must have been mistaken" thought
tho fair girl. "What could make me
have such strange fancy, though p
she continued, 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 we do! We arc evidently
in den of thieves, and will be murder
ed tor my poor fathers money"
allow to communicate their danger to
her father without those terrible eyes
noticing it, Carrie could not think. Sud
denly bright idea camo to her.
"Father," she said, aloud, "let me
take card and pencil. wish to make
memorandum Of some items | want to
purchase in the village"
Her father handed them to her, after
slowing away his belt. Carrie wrote
tremblingly, in fine hand
"Father, do not be frightened we
are in . trap. Go to 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 glittering
eyes that have watched you count your
money"
"Read it," she said, aloud, handing the
card to her father. 81 want you TO sec
if you think l am extravagant."
Her father betrayed no emotion while
he road, but said,-
"You are pretty extravagant, Carrie.
I suppose you think You father is made
of money :" and he arose and went to
the washstand, which was in the dark
corner.
Once there he glanced toward the bust,
and that glance confirmed bis daughters
statement. When he came
back to his seat, Carrie saw that the
eyes were gone. Then, leaning toward
her father, she said in low TONE
"You see it is as said. have thought
Of a plan, however, by which we can
both escape. You would DO perfectly
helpless IN an ARRAY Of any kind or &C
count of your lame leg, SO I must try to
save IA both"
Then followed whispered consulta-
ion, during which Carrie kept her eyes
liked on the bust; but the glittering
,rbs had not come back. As she con-
GUIDED Carrie went to the window, threw
t up, and looked out. Reckoning to
ler father, who came, she said, or rather
whispered
"You see this shed, father Well,
hey will probably come up on IT and
get IN through the window. do not
hink they will make the attack before
WE'VE, SO will get out of thi. window,
imp from this shed. go Ia the barn and
axe our horse, and go To s. for
lelp."
Fiinging wrap over her slight figure,