The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-24

"cle Iahch away Tor military service, and
forced to risk his life in the wars? After
fencing a little with her conscience the dam
sci decided that she did not quite know
what she ought to think about Karl; but
that nc was very bold and MOTTO -bc-easily-
put-down young man she admitted to her
self frankly enough in her quaint German
phraseology.
She sat listening for footsteps, and conncd
over in her mind what sharp things she
Should say to dismiss Karl if he had the
impertinencc to present himself before her.
The worst of it was that Karl was Just such
young man as might be indifferent to
sharp things. His boldncss really exceeded
belief. Why, that very evening IN touch
Ing her fingers he had actually squeezed
them but here Maichen gavea slight start, for
she heard footsteps and fancicd that 1t was
tho ncvcr-to-be- sufficiently blamed Karl,
who had played truant from church, faith
fnl to his impudcnt promise.
She rose and stood coyly in the middle of
the kitchen, her checks pink and her bosom
heaving 1Shc5thought she would take to
flight as soon as Karl's heavy tread should
resound i'll the passage; but she waited two
or three minutes without hearing the door
open, yet there were steps outside, and,
now that her ears were strained, she heard
voices. Her relatives had not been rome
an hour, SO it was not likely they could
have returned 80 soon. Whose, then, could
these steps and voices be2
The kitchen had high window seven
feet above the floor, and it was closed with
shutters. But in the shutters loZcngc ap
ertures were cut. BIalchen climbed on to
the dresser under the window and looked
out. What she saw would have made
most tlmid girls jump up squealing and run
away half dead with terror.
Nine men-not one lcss-with black
masks Oh their faces and housebrcnking im
plcmcnts IN hand, had entered the farm-y yard
and were evidently holding council as to
how they should commence their attack on
the house. They stood III group, and
some of them pointed to the apcrtures in the
kitchen shutters, where light was visible, us
if they were taking note OF the fact that
the farm was not quite abanoned.
Malchcn remembered having heard that
The brigands had been lnfesting some of the
districts in an adjoining province, and she
saw that if she hesitatcd to act she would
be lost. There hung over the mantclsheIf
two double-barrcled fowling- pieces and
horse pistol, which were always kept load
cd. ...
She ran to the chimney and unlocked the
arms, then swiftly climbed ON to the table
again. The little lattces outside the apcr-
lures in the shutters were open, so Malchen
could thrust out the barrels of her weapons
and fire ut the malcfactors. Before doing.
80, however, she put a coin into her mouth
to alter the ring of her voice, and making a
horn of both hands, shouted in tone, which
sounded like mans, "Who goes there!"
& No answer. The burglars stared ut one
another in establishment, and were fairly,
dismayed when they heard the next excla
nation, which conveyed the idea that the
person who had first spoken was not alone
but had several men under his orders.
"Now then, my men, when give the word
fire sharp and straight. Fire!'
Two reports instantly followed this COM
mand and then came two others. When
the smoke had cleared away NIalchen, who
looked out with haggard eyes, her heart
humping awfully the while, saw four men
stretched on the snow, and nothing else.
The other five members of the band had
taken to flight. 'The guns were loaded
with slugs; perhaps I have killed them ALL"
CALCULATED Machen in terror; for her COM
bative artlor abated of sudden, now that
80 easy victory had been won. "Oh, delr,
what shall do2" >fflf tS'Et a.
She had taken up the horse pistol, and
glanced out to sec if there was another shot
to be fired. There was choking sensation
at her throat, and she began to whimper.
1t was all too dreadful; she could not bear
the sight Of those dead men, all killed by
her hand. But one Of them suddenly mov-
ed and tried to rise to his knees. Imme-
diately the sentimental Malchen AIMED her
pistol to give him his quietus; but, luckily
for himself, the man roared out: Oh, NAL
chen, Malchen! hclpl 'Tis Karl"
"Karl!" exclaimed the girl, as her voice
seemed to expire in her throat, whilst her
heart turned to ice .Karl, Is 1t thou}"
"Yes, and am wounded. am dying"
sobbed the luckless follow. "And it's all
for thee" ml" #a,rE&
Malchon tottered and might have fallen
off the table had there been any one
present to catch her in his arms. As it
was she scrambled down somehow and made
for the door, still holding her pistol. One
moments hesitation as she touched the door
handle; but she surn1ountcdS 1t and went
out In another mohlent che could Judge
with her own eyes of'the liurderous effects
Of her volley, Three men lay on tho snow
stone dead; as for Karl, a slug had cleaned
sliced off q part Of his right ear and cheek,
ar. fkof ha h1ofl 1tko n ,,;cr Inf bo xyob ntGo