The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-10-18

were but two to one, and one of the two
was woman; but the male lofts was q
big, burly fellow, and his wife belonged
to that slnewy, wiry type Of her sex
whose strength Is not inferior to that of
the average of men. had pistol, but
an injury to the lock few days before
had rendered 1t useless. SO 1 was un-
armed and at the mercy of people whose
actions had aroused my serious suspl-
cions.
Partially undressing and setting the
lamp on chair, threw myself on the
bed. My fears, for time, kept me
awake; but fatigue brought drowslness,
and at last sleep. know not how long
it had continued before creaking of the
ladder awoke me. The lamp was just
giving its last flicker, and by it saw
pair of cleaning eyes peer over the edge
of the hatchway. The next instant
was in total darkness.
Starting up, 1 turned my ear and
listened. 1 heard steps softly descending
the ladder, and then there was perfect
stiffness. rose and crept to the hatch.
way, but without venturing to lean over,
for there was still dim light in the
room below. But my hearing was on
the alert to catch the faintest sound.
Hadn't we better get help 2'' whs-
pered a voice which 1 knew to be the
mans.
"No." returned the woman ''we can
manage him ourselves"
"But be you sartin thar's no mistake"
"Sartin why, he's got the money in
them very saddle bags; that's the rea-
son he was afeared to let you heft them"
swell, am leetle jubious."
"You allus wuz a undecided creeter,
Bob Now you jest take your rifle, and
III take this yer butcher-knife. Sech
chance to make fortune won't come
again soon."
There was something ludicvous, at
which i could scarce repress a smile,
even in my then extremity, in thisback-
woods travesty of Lady Macbeth hen
pecking her husband into murder.
There was window in the gable. L
might open it and escape by leap to the
ground. 1t was my only chance, and 1
resolved to take it.
Cautiously cropping my way, and mov-
ing as lightly as q cat, 1 reached the win
dow. 1 tried to open it, but sash would
move neither up nor down. L attempt
ed to draw it inward. 1t gave away sud-
denly, and fell to the floor with loud
crash / had no time to spring out before
a bright light shone through the apart
ment, and quick steps approached from
behind.
"Stopl or I'll drill you through
roared a rough voice.
"Stop or I'll slit yer wizzen - chim-
ed in another.
turned to find myself confronted by
lofts presenting rifle at my head, and
his amiable spouse holding lamp in
one hand, cleaning knife in the otherl
"Now, jest you s'render at discretion =
beloved lofts, keeping his gun leveled,
and let Sal tie yer up tight, or you are
dead man Go ahead, Sal !"
Mrs. Tofts set down her lamp, and
produced piece of strong rope.
"Retch out yer paws" she said, in her
decisive manner.
eyes, shove 'em out" growled lofts,
''afore L count three, or by the great
Geeminy, will shoot ot!-one-two-"
extended my hands quickly. Mrs.
Tofts clapped her knife between her
teeth, and with surprising dispatch and
skill, bound my wrists in way 1 should
like to see tried on some of these spirit
ualistic jugglers who pretend to prefer
natural gifts in the matter of untying
knots.
When my feet had been confined in
like manner, was carried and laid upon
the bed.
"Now Sal,' said Tofts, ''you jest take
this rifle and sit yer and watch till L get
back and if this here galoot budges, jest
gin i'm a blizzard through the skull cap;
and mind yer, keep an eye onter the sad
die bags"
Sal took commanding position and
sat at ease, rifle in hand, while Mr.. Tofts
climbed down the ladder.
Iappealed to the woman to know for
what fate / was reserved. 1 had no
doubt my murder was resolved on but
why was it delayed, and why had the
male assassin gone away, and what was
his errand?
None of my questions had received an
answer. The woman had become a
sphinx.
seemed to have passed through an