The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1879-12-19

o.1oAeo W tIe dstOntoAeh group; up tlo
stairs, opens the door again, looks into her
room and comes back through the hall
and down the back stairs, repeating,
Hes under the bed He's under the
bed ~
At-this return, Mrs. Kruler, speechless
with wonder over happening which
seems to her incomprehensible, catches
the crazed woman ia her arms, and Miss
Dana falls to the floor in swoon. Mat.
ters looked serious. No such q disturb
ance had been anticipated.
"Run for a policeman" said Clipper,
huskily, to Bitter.
"Go yourself" answered Bitter, push
ing the little fellow aside and going up
the stairs three steps at a time.
Clipper, losing his nerve, sinks back
against the wall and waits. The women
begin to shrek.
Bitler, who in second had reached
Miss Dana's room, opens the door. He
sees at the bureau tall man. He is
dressed in Bitler's Sunday suit, with
Bitler's best tile on his head, and Bitler's
$40 valise in his hand, and the lawyer
recalls the footsteps that preceded those
of Miss Dana. Then he sees the thief
sweeping Miss Dana's ieWelry, her rings,
her watch, her earring, her breast-pin,
her porte-monnaie, her everything, into
that valise. It was done almost with the
crook Of the arm. Mr.. Bitter does not
wait, but dashes upon the thief, who
turns, grasps the water pitcher and
brings it down upon the head Of his
assailant, who drops to the floor without
crv, and lies motionless, W tn the blood
streaming from an ugly cut ca his fore
head.
Then follows most extraordinary
retreat. The women, yelling like panth-
ers, attack the thief at the foot Of the
stairs. He does not strike them, but
hustles this warand that way, and some
times strikes their heads together. Then
Clipper, plucky and savage, only to dis
appear-fung from the hall into the par
lor, as il shot from a catapult.
The thief smiled all the time he was
doing this, just as if he was taking a
little exercise. His hand was upon the
etk,o,. Iz,nla, I'D 4saaa.-d hn wn1rld
have been out of doors, when Z snort was
heard, and something half tumbled, half
slid down the stairs, landed on its feet on
the floor, and held to the face Of the thief
the cleaning barrel Of a revolver. The
figure was that of Mr.. Mordaunt, who,
hearing the uproar, had armed himself
and come to the front with startling
agility.
Don't move I beg Of you to hold up
hands" he said to the thief, poklng the
muzzle Of the pistol under the thiefs
n Sc, and putting from his exercise in such
wav that it was dangerous for the most
innocent Of men to be in front OF the
weapon. Il don't want to spoil this car
net with your brains," he continued, snor
to alarm the ladies BY firing pistol
All ! Clipper, you there ? Please search
this mans pockets. Don't be afraid,
Clipper, III keep him from hurting you
Clipper had worked nimbly and had
lust uploaded the freight Of the captive,
when steps were heard without. 1t was q
noliceman. Transferring the prisoner te
| him. Mr.. Mordaunt surveyed the scene.
The tableau was an impressive one. Mrs
Kruller was holding Miss Dana's head in
| her lap, tanning her with one hand and
keeping bottle Of salts to her nose with
the other. In her unsconscious condition
it suddenly struck the batchelor that MISS
Dana was very pretty, and he seemed
slow to take his eyes away from her. But
Mrs. Kruller broke the charm.
"Where is Mr.. Bitter ?" she asked, "has
anybody seen nm ,
Sure enough, where was he Nr. Nor
daunt came back to practical life from
his admiring consideration Of Miss Dana
and went hurriedly upstairs.
uBetter run for doctor, Clipper SAID
some one, and Mr.. Clipper, with 9 vague
idea that his revenge vas mufderously
complete, and that he was II 9 SAD plight
As result Of his plot, started tor the
physician.
/ Mr.. Bitler was found unconscious upon
the floor. The shattered pitcher haa
made several bad wounds which had Dleo
profusely and weakened him greatly. NJ
Mordaunt dragged him 70 bis own room
and attended to his cuts. IN the mean
time Miss Dana had revived
HAS he gonag' she asked opening
her eyes. =.
KralIer, kissing the little voEian.
| ,aa4 tha he'd llh. nor