The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-01-31


After fencing a little with her con-
science 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 -easily-put-dow
young man, she admitted to herself
frankly enough in her quaint German
phraseology.
Malchen, from being romantic, was
bold girl, and felt no fear at being
alone in the big house on winters
evening. The soughing of the wind
through the bare trees outside, the
noise of draughts shaking doors that
were loose on their hinges, the monoto-
nous tick-tack of the kitchen clock did
not disturb her composure. She sat
listening for footsteps, and conned over
in her mind what sharp thing she should
say TO dismiss Karl if he had the imperti-
nence to present himself before her. The
worst of it was that Karl was just such
a young man as might be Indifferent to
sharp things. His boldness really ex-
ceeded belief. Why, that very evening
in touching her fingers he had actually
squeezed--but here Malchen gave a
slight start, for she heard footsteps
and fancied that it was the never-to-be-
sufficiently-blamed Karl, who had
played truant from church, faithful to
his impudent promise.
She rose and stood coyly in the mid
die 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 pas
sage; but she waited two ort hree min
utes without hearing the door open,
yet there were steps outside, and, now
that her ears were strained, she heard
voices. Her relatives had been gone
an hour; so it was not likely they could
have returned so soon. Whose, then,
could these steps and voices beP
The kitchen had high window seven
feet above the floor, and it was closed
with shutters. But in the shutters
lozenge apertures were cut. Malchen
climbed on to the dresser under the
window and looked out. What she saw
would have made most timid girls
jump down squealing and ran away
half dead with terror.
Nine men-not one less-with black
masks on their faces and house-break-
ing implements in hand, had entered
the farm-yard and were evidently hold
ing council as to how they should
commence their attack on the house.
They stood in group, and some of
them pointed to the apertures in the
kitchen shutters, where light was Wis
ible, as if they were taking note of the
| fact that the farm was not quite aban-
doned.
Malchen remembered having heard
that the brigands had been infesting
some of the districts in an adjoining
province, and she saw that if she hest
tated to act she would be lost. There
hung over the mantel-shelf two double
barreled fowling-pieces and a horse
pistol, which were always kept loaded
| for the protection of the farm against
wolves in winter and for the intimida-
ton of poachers and tramps at other
sa1,ae1Foff vti>51 -Ing=arn fsr In. fR, hp5 the
| girls; but at this moment her blood re-
VOTED at the idea of leaving the farm to
be plundered without striking blow
| for it. Herr Won Polheim owned a good
deal ofsilver-plate, and was accustomed
to keep pretty large sums of money
within the oaken chest in his bed
room. Among other reflections which
rushed through Malchen's mind was
this, that, if her father were robbed of
all his cash he would get into a vile
humor, which would make its effects
felt at the farm for weeks, and render
the place uninhabitable. Now, NAL
chen stood in great terror of her father
when he was angry.
She ran to the chimney and unlocked
the arms, then swiftly climbed on to
the table again. The little lattices out
side the apertures in the shutters were
open, so Malchen could thrust out the
barrels of her weapons and fire at the
malefactors. Before doing so, however,
she put coin into her mouth to alter
the ring in her voice, and making a
horn of both hands, shouted in a tone
which sounded like a mans: "Who
goes THEREOF
No answer. The burglars stared at
one another in establishment, and were
fairly 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. Now then, nv
men, when give the word, fire sharp
and aim straight. Firer'
Two reports instantly followed this
command and then came two others.
When the smoke had cleared away.
Malchen, who looked out with haggard
eyes, her heart humping awfully the
while, she saw four men stretched on
the snow, and nothing else. The other
five members of the band had taken to
fight. "The guns were loaded with
slugs; perhaps have killed them all"
calculated Malchen in terror; for her
combative ardor abated of a sudden
now that so easy victory had been
won. 80, dear, what shall dop''
She had taken up the horse pistol, and
glanced out to see if there was another
shot to be fired. There was a 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 moved and tried !
to rise to his knees. Immediately the
sentimental Malchen aimed her pistol