Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-21

cry.
We've done what we could" said the
man. The lady he was to marry, and her
friends, will be down tomorrow. Mean
while my instructions are that you shall
watch with him, and allow no strangers to
enter the house. There are valuable things
here. I'm told and Mr. Van Motifs lawyer
must take possession of them, and seal
them up before strangers have access to the
rooms"
sob! dear, DEAR cried old Maggie.
''That it should come to this. Yes; I'll
watch alone. I'm not afraid, but-oh,
dear!'
Then she shrunk back, and let two men
carry horrible coffin into the front parlor.
They came out with their hats off, and
the other man held his also in his hand
81 regret to leave you all alone in the
house, he said.
II don't mind that" said old Maggie,
''but it's terrible, terrible"
''If you'd like me to stay" said the man.
"No," said Maggie. i've no fear of
living or dead folk. You can go.''
Then she locked the door and went into
the parlor, and putting the candle on the
mantel, looked at the coffin through her
tears.
''IIe was good enough to me- she said
'poor Mr.. Archibald! And this comes of
wanting to marry at this time of life, and
gallivanting on railroads. wonder whether
he is changed much. I'll take look" and
Maggie crossed the room and lifted the lid
over the face of the enclosed body.
''I'll take a look" she said to herself
again. ''I'm not afraid of dead folks"
In a minute more Maggie dropped the lid
again, and retreated, shaking from head to
foot She had seen, within the coffin, face
with its eyes shut, and with bandages about
the head, and the CHASTITY features of
clown in circus, minus the red mouth.
But it was living face, well-chalked, and
not her masters; and Maggie knew at once
that she had been we'll humbugged-
this story of her masters death was lie
and that burglar lay within the coffin,
ready to spring upon her and bind her, or,
perhaps murder her at any moment.
She could, of course, open the door and
try to escape; but the accomplices of the
man were doubtless outside. 1t was long
distance to the nearest house, and, even if
they did not kill her, they would execute
their purpose and rob the place before she
returned.
''NIaster looks NATURAL" said Maggie,
aloud, and tried to collect her thoughts.
Mr.. Van Mott revolvers were in the next
room, she knew, loaded, six shots in each,
Maggie could use pistols. She had aimed
at troublesome cats with great success more
than once If she could secure these pistols
she felt safe
Poor, dear MASTER" she sobbed, and
edged toward the back room. ''Poor, dea,
master" She lifted the desk lid. She had
them safe.
She glided back to the front parlor and
sat down on chair. She turned up her
sleeves and grasped pistol in each hand
and she watched the coffin quietly. In half
an hour the lid stirred. A cautious hand
crept up the side. A why eye peeped out.
1t fell upon the armed figure, and closed
again.
YOU'D better" said Maggie to herself
Again the head lifted. This time Maggie
sprung to her feet
You're fixed quite handy" she said
coolly. mo need of laying you out if l
fire, and | can aim first-rate, especially
when I'm afraid of ghosts, as be now
The head bobbed down again. Maggie
reseated herself. She knew this could not
last very long-that there must be conflict
before long. 1t was as she supposed. A
moment more and the coffin was empty, and
a ferocious young fellow sat on its edge, and
thus addressed her:
"We meant to do it all quiet" he said,
"and l don't want to frighten old women.
Just put them down"
I'm not frightened said Maggie.
I'm coming to take them things away
from you said the man.
Come, y said Maggie.
He advanced one step. She took aim and
he lodged, but a bullet went through his
left arm, and it dropped by his side.
Furious with pain, he dashed toward her.
She fred again, and this time wounded him
in the right shoulder. Faint, and quite
helpless, he staggered against the wall.
"There, you've done it, old woman" he
said. "Open the door and let me out. My
game is up"
mime isn't" said old Maggie. sect
into your coffin again, or this time I'll shoot
you through the heart
The burglar looked piteously at her, but
he saw no mercy in her face. He went back
to the coffin and lay down in it. Blood
dripped from his wounds, and he was grow
ing pale. Maggie did not want to see him
die before her eyes, but she dared not call
aid. To leave the house before daylight