Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-14

ly they could have returned so soon.
Whose, then, could these steps and 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. Ma!chen climbed
on to the dresser, under the window, and
looked out: what she saw would have
made most timid girls Jump down, so ueal-
ing. and run away, halt dead with terror.
Nine men not one less-with black
masks on their faces and house breaking
implements in hand, had entered the
farmyard, and were evidently holding a
council as how they should commence
their attack on the house. They stood
in a group, and,some of them pointed to
the apertures in the kitchen shutters.
where light was visible, as ii they were
taking note of the fact that the farm was
not quite abandoned
Malcben remembered having heard
that brigands had been infesting some of
the districts in an adjoining Province,
and she saw that if she hesltated to act
she would be lost There hung over the
mantleshelf two-double-ba fowline-
pieces and horse pistol. which were al
ways Kept protection Of the farm against
wolves in winter. and for the lntimida-
ton of poachers and tramps at other sea-
sons of the year. Malchen had the same
horror of firearms as most other girls:
but at this moment her blood volted az
the idea of leaving the farm to be plum
dered without striking blow for it.
Herr Won Polheim owned good deal OF
silver plate and was accustomed to keep
pretty large sums Of money within the
oaken chest in his bedroom. Among
other reflections which rushed through
Malcheas mind was this, that Il her IA
tier were robbed o. all his cash he would
get into vile hurlor. which would make
its effects felt at the farm for weeks, and
render the place unin!:abitable. Now
Malchen stood in great terror OF her IA
ther when he was angry.
She ran to the chimney aud unlocked
the arms, then swiftly climbed on the ia
bic again. The little iattices outside the
apertures in the shutters were open, so
Ma!chen could thrust cut the barrels Of
her weapons and fire at tie malefsctors.
Before doing so, however, she put coin
into her mouth to alter the nag Of her
voice, and making a horG OF hn.h hands,
shouted in tone which sounded ike a
mans "Who goes there"
No answer. The burglars stared az
each ether in astonishmcnt, and were fair
ly dismayed when they heard the next
exclamation, which conveyed the idea
that the person who had first spoken was
not alone, but had several men under his
orders, Nov, then, when l give the
word, fire sharp, and aim straight. Flre!"
Two reports instantly followed this
command, and then came two others.
When the report cleared away, Malchen,
who looked out with haggard eyes, her
heart humping awtully the while, saw
four men stretched out on the snow, ana
saw nothing else. The other five mem
bers of the band had taken flight. THE
guns were loaded with slugs; perhaps l
have killed them all" calculated Nal
chen, in terror, for her combatlve ardor
abated of sudden, now that so easy {.
victory had been won. ooh, dear, what
shall / do?''
She had taken up the horse pistol ana
glanced out to see if there was another
shot to he fired. There was a choking
sensation at her throat, and she began to
whimper. 1t vas all too dreadful. She
could not bear the sight of those dead
men, all killed by her hand. But one OF
them suddenly moved. and tried to rise
to his knees. Immediately the sentimea-
tai Malchen aimed her pistol to give him
his quietus; but luckily for himself, the
man roared out: "Oh, Malchen! MAJ
chen. help! IT'S KARL"
"Karlw exclaimed the girl, as her
voice seemed to expire in her throat, while
her heart turned to ice. "Karl, is il
thou?"
Eyes, and I am wounded; am dying"
sobbed the luckless fellow; "and It's al
for thee"
Malchen tottered and might have fal-
len 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 pis-
tol. One moments hesitation as she
touched the door-handle; : but she Sur
mounted it and went out. In another
LioulCut SlC SOuio Ju'tSC Will iCA o"iL
eyes of the murderous effects OF her vol
ley. Three men lay on the snow stone
dead; as for Karl, slug had clean sliced
off "a part of his right car and cheek, so
that he bled like a pig, but he was other
wise unhurt.
sob, Karl, Karl, how earnest thou
hither in such company" exclaimed
Malchen, as she tore off her apron to
staunch his wound.
"Mein Colt, it was for thee!" sniveled
the unhappy Karl. "These men are my
friends; we had all come for lark, and
meant to carry thee off; for 1 hoped that
thy too-obstinate father would consent
of necessity to our marriage. Oh, oh,
my ear!''
"Peace, Karl; but oh, how foolish OF
thee!" sighed Malchen. allow could'st
thou think that nine men were required
to carry me off2''
"Mein Gott. thought thou vast
romantic, was all that Karl could say be-
tween two squeaks caused by the anguish
in his ear.
One is sorry to say that the tribunals
of Bavaria took a one-eyed view of the
e