The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1880-10-20

They we're both terrible liars.
Il Y name W. 6sag; hers soph,
|soills ID MI!
ris BE was rich, kind-hearted
gentleman, who had a mansion on
the Alameda.
AS the two passed the postoffice
corner, a pair of bleared eyes winked
quietly, and couple Of lips grinned
sardonically. They belonged to Tar
antula Joe.
As soon as the couple got under
the shadow Of the wall Of Notre
Dame, Hardy placed sophronia's Is arm
within his own. She did not object.
He entertained her marvelously we'll.
His knowledge Of the world was ex-
tensive, and his education good. She
began to think he was an angel in
disguise.
At the east end of the bridge there
stood a bill board. When the two
passed this, and were well on the
bridge, a shadowy form, scarcely per.
ceptible in the darkness, emerged
from behind this board and crept
noiselessly after them. This sneak
ing person carried aclub in his hand.
Stepping rapidly behind Hardy, he
raised his deadly weapon and brought
itdown with a heavy blow on the
young mans head. There was a
dull crashing thud, and Hardy sank
with a 'groan. There was a slight
contraction Of the muscles, agurgle,
and all was quiet.
The girl heard the blow, and saw
her defender stretched at her feet
She was instantly rendered power.
less and speechless by a sickening
terror. Immediately a powerful and
brutal hand closed upon her throat,
stopping her breath. Other shadows
emerged from the darkness, a dozen
strong hands seized her, and before
she had time to offer resistance that
would have been useless, a gag was
thrust into her mouth, half choking
her.
So intently had the, highwaymen
been engaged in rendering the girl
helpless and robbing her of her Jew
elry, that they did not perceive Har.
dy stagger to his feet. He was dazed
and uncertain. The blood poured
down his face and saturated his shirt.
A glance at the struggling forms
brought him slowly to his senses.
"Has she any money!" demanded
gruf voice.
81 can't find any"
"Take those rings off her fingers.
How she strugglesl Isn't that
watch? Snail on to it. Pull out
those earrings-quick!"
II can't-don'tknow how they are
fastened"
"Tear 'em out, then-you; and
hurry upl"
At the moment when the robber
grasped the earring to pull it rudely
through the tender flesh, a heavy
club descended crashing upon his
shoulder. Hardy was awake. He
had seized the club, which had drop.
ped upon the bridge, and was WELD
ing it with merciless desperation
that only the protection of so
precious charge could have inspir.
ed. The robbers turned upon him
five in number.
Quick as a cat, and before they
could recover from the surprise of an
attack by man who, to all appear.
ances, had been killed, he felled an
other with a heavy blow upon the
head. The remaining four rushed
upon him before he had time toraise
the bludgeon again, overpowered
him, and bore him down. The club
was wrenched from his grasp after a
desperate struggle, and laid with
deadening blows and with terrible
effect upon his face and breast
One of the ruffians drew a knife to
plunge it into Hardy's breast, but
the young man struck it from his
hand, seized it, and drove it into the
throat Of the nearest robber. This
man fell with a gurgling noise,
strangling with blood. Hardy struck
about him wildly with the knife, and
II tha rnhhars cnrnn0 nwav 10 aeoonn