Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-04-06
Herr Won Polheim's farm stood in q

miles from Il, IN Bavaria. 1t hat
once been castle, and all the rooms ol
the ground-Aoor were large, windy apart
ments, with wainscotted walls and ole
oaken furniture. The kitchen, which
served as the ordinary sitting-room to thu
family of an evening, was made comfort
able by large fires which roared in tht
immense chimney all day long. There
were two arm-chairs under the bulginl
mantle of this chimney on either side ol
the andirons, and in one Of these Nal
chen took her seat. She began to knit,
but soon her work subsidized into her lap
and she began to stare at the fire in o
soft reverie.
There were faces, of course, in the red
embers of the crumbling pine logs, and
Karrs was chief among them. Malchen,
who was pretty, sentimental girl Of eigh-
teen, but somewhat cautious, as beseems
the daughter Of gentleman who can pre-
fix Won to his name, asked herselfif she
liked Karl. Did she truly feel for him
more than she did for any other man
Would she grieve for him if he met with
an accident. if he left her fathers service:
if he were taken away for military service,
and forced to risk his life in the wars
After fencing little with her conscience
the damsel decided that she did not quite
know what she ought to think about Karl;
but that he was very bold and not-to-
be-put-down young man, she admitted to
herself frankly enough in her quaint Ger
man phraseology.
Malchen, from being romantic, was
bold girl, and felt no fear at being alone
in the big house on a winters evening.
The soughing Of the wind through the bare
trees outside, the noise Of draughts shak-
ing doors that were loose on their hinges,
the monotonous tick-tack Of the kitchen
clock did no, disturb her composure. She
sat listening for footsteps, and conned ov-
er in her mind what sharp thing she should
say to dismiss Karl if he had the imper-
tinence 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 boldness really exceed
ed belief. Why, that very evening in
touching her fingers he had actually
soueezed-but here Malchen gave a
slight start, for she heard footsteps and
fancied that it was the never to-be-suffi
GENTLY blamed Karl, who had played
truant from church, faithful to his impu-
dent promise.
She rose and stood coyly in the middle
of the kitchen, her cheeks pink, and her
bosom heaving. She thought she would
take to flight as soon as karls heavy
tread should resound in 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 gone an hour; so it was not
likely they have returned so soon. Whose
then, could these voices be:
The kitchen had high window seven
feet above the floor. and it was closed
with shutters. But in the shutters loz-
enge apertures were cut. Malchen climb
ed on to the dresser under the window
and looked out. What she saw would
have made most timid girls jump down
squealing, and run away half dead with
terror.
Nine men-not one less-with black
masks on their faces and house breaking
implements in hand, had entered the farm
ward and were evidently holding coun-
Gil as how they should commence their at
tack on the house. They stood in group
and some of them point ed to the apertures
in the kitchen shutters, as if they were
taking note of the fact that the farm was
not quite abandoned.
Malchen remembered having heard that
the brigands had been infesting some Of
the districts in an adjoining province, and
she saw that if she hesitated to act she
would be lost. There hung over the man.
tle-shelf two double -barreled fowling.
pieces and horse pistol, which were al,
ways kept loaded for the projection Of the
farm against wolves in winter and for tht
intimidation of poachers and tramps al
other seasons of the year. Malchen hae
the same horror of fire-arm as most 9TH
er girls; but at this moment her blood re-
yolted at the idea of leaving the farm t.
be plundered without striking blow fo
lit. Herr Won Polheim owned goot
deal of silver-plate, and was accustomed
to keep pretty large sums of money with
in the oaken chest in his bedroom
Among other reflections which rushet
| go. khsa that