Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-02-26

sci decided that she did not quite know
what she ought to think about Karl; but
that he was very bold and MOTTO be easily
put-dow young man she admitted to her
self frankly enough in her quaint German
| phraseology.
She sat listening for footsteps, and conned
over in her mind what sharp things she
should say TO dismiss Karl if he had the
impertnence 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 exceeded
belief. Why, that very evening IN touch
ing her fingers he had actually squeezed
them but here Maichen gave slight start, for
she heard footsteps and fancicd that 1t was
the never to-be sufficiently blamed Karl,
who had played truant from church, faith
ful to his impudent 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 karl's 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 could
have returned so 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 lozenge ap-
ertures were cut. Malchen climbed on to
the dresser under the window and looked
out. What she saw would have made
most timid girls jump up squeaiing and run
away half dead with terror.
Nine men-not one less-with black
masks on their faces and dhousebreaking i'm
plements In hand, had entered the farm-yard
and were evidently holding council us TO
how they should commence their attack on
the house. They stood IN a group, and
some of them pointed 10 the aDertures in the
kitchen shutters, where light was visible, as
if they were taking note OF the fact that
the farm was not quite abanoned.
Malchen remembered having heard that
the brigands had been lnfesting 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 mantelshelf
two double-barreled fowling- pieces and a
horse, pistol, which were always kept load
ed
She ran to the chimney and unlocked the
arms, then swiftly climbed on to the table
again. The little lattices outside the aper-
lures in the shutters were open, so Malchen
could thrust out the barrels of her weapons
and fire at the malefactors Before doing
50, however, she put coin into her mouth
to alter the ring of her voice, and making
horn of both hands, shouted in tone, which
sounded like mans, "Who goes there!"
No answer. The burglars stared at one
another in astonishment and were fairly,
dismayed when they heard the next excla-
nation, which conveyed the idea that the
person who had first spoken Yasrnot alone
but had several men under his orders.
'!'Now then, my men, when give the word
fire sharp and straight. Firel'
Two reports instantly followed this COM
mand and then came two others. When
the smoke had cleared away. Malchen, 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 have killed them all, !"
calculated Malchen in terror; for her COM
bative ardor abated of a sudden, now that
Sc easy victory had been won. "Oh, dear.
what shall do2"
She had taken up the horse pistol, and
glanced out to see 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 NOV
ed and tried to rise to his knees. Imme-
diately the sentimental Ma]chen aimed her
pistol to give him his qpietus; but, luckily
| for. himself, the pan roared out: Oh, NAL
chen, Malchenl help! 'Tis Karl"
',Karl!n exclaimed the girl, as her voice
seemed to expire in her throat, whilst her
heart turned to ice. 'Karl. is it thoul"
''Yes,.and l am wounded. am dying, A"
sobbed The luckless fellow. "And it's all
| for thee"
\ Malchen 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
moment hesitation as she touched the door
handle; but she surmounted it and went
out. In another moment she could judge
with her own eyes of the murdcrous effects
of her volley. Three men lay on the snow
stone dead; as for Karl, slug had cleaned
sliced off a part of his right ear and cheek,
50 that he bled Ikea pig, but he was other
wise unhurt.
| ooh, Karl, Karl, how camest thou hith-
'er III such company" exclaimed Malcher
as she tore off her apron to stanch his
wounds.