Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-04-06

in her voice, and making horn Of botf
hands, shouted in tone which sounded
like mans, "Who goes there,"
No answer. The burglars stared a,
one another in astonishment, and were
fairly dismayed when they heard the next
exclamation, which conveyed the idea tha,
the person who had first spoken was not
alone, but had several men under his
orders. "Now then, my men, when |
give the word, fire sharp and aim straight.
FIRE."
Two reports instantly followed this
command, and then came two others.
When the smoke had cleared away, NAL
chen, who looked out with haggard eyes,
her heart humping awfuIly the while,
she saw four men stretched on the snow,
and nothing else. The other FIVE men,
bers of the band had taken to fight.
"The guns were loaded with slugs; per-
haps have killed them all." calculated
Malchen in terror; for her combative ardor
abated of sudden now that so easy q
victory had been won. "Oh, dear, what
shall do"
She had taken up the horse pistol, and
glanced out to see if there was another
shot to be fired. There was q choking
sensation at her throat, and she began to
whimper. II 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 to give him his
quietus; but, luckily for himself, the man
roared out "Oh, Malchen, Malchen.
help. 'Tis I-Kar."
Karl" exclaimed the girl, as her
voice seemed to expire in her throat,
whilst her heart turned to ice. "Karl,
is it thou."
"Ycs, and am wounded. | am
dying" 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 moments hesitation US she touched
the door-handle; but she surmounted it
and went out. In another moment she
could judge with her own eyes of the
murderous effects of her volley. Three
men lay on the snow stone-dead; as for
Karl, a slug had clean sliced off part
of his right ear and cheek, so that he
bled like a pig, but he was otherwise
unhurt.
"Oh, Karl, Karl, how earnest thou
hither in such company" exclaimed
Malchen, as she tore off her apron to
stanch his wound.
"Mein Gott. 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 l hoped thy
too.obstinate father would consent Of ne
cessity to our marriage. Oh, oh, my
ear
"Peace, Karl; but oh. how foolish Of
thee" sighed Malchen. "How couldst
thou think that nine men were required
to carry me off,
"Alein Gott, thought thou vast ro-
mantle" was all that Karl could say
between two squeaks caused by the an
guish in his ear.
. y
One is sorry to say that the tribunals
of Bavaria took a one-eyed view of the
affair, and wanted to sentence Karl for
burglary but the attitude Of poor NAL
chen had been so heroical that King Louis
III. sent for her to Munich, and, having
decorated her with the Cross Of Civil
Merit, asked her what he could do to
please her.
pardon my Karl, and give him a
dover to marry me" prayed the faithful
maiden, sobbing.
His Majesty pulled slightly wry face
at the mention Of dover, but courtiers
were present, so he gave his royal prom
ise. "Thou wouldst marry man with
one ear, them added he, laughing.
."Sire, he lost his other for me" re.
sponded Malchen, drying her eyes.
"Well, this is queer story" said the
King, amused. "We will have it made
into libretto. and my friend Wagner
here shall set it to music"
The composer Of the future bent his
head, as if this happy thought had already
occurred to him.-London Truth.
Use Kidney Wort and rejoice In health
One package makes six quarts or medicine