Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-09-18

| quickly lowered them, transacted thl ! business on which they had come, an, turned away.
 l "I don't know what to do with thu money" said father, when We were agaiI alone. 'I don't Ike the respOnsibilitl i of carrying 1t with me, nor IS 1t quite saf, | to leave it with you."
 "Obl yes" l answered, proud O' tn, trust, q will take care of it. What harm can cone to it herei I will hide it a, [ securely no one can find it." So, thinking 1t over, We both decided 1t was indeed the best way, and with ; heart over which hung no presentimen' of coming i'll, 1 threw my arms about hi, neck, watched him mount his horse on which he was to make the journey, and with eyes all undimmed by single tear went singing back to my work. When nightfall gathered I carefully closed the windows, barring the cutter shutters and the door, then glanced round my do- main, its clean, shining floor, the cheery lamp on the mantle, the bright fire, the tea-table set for one, and envied no city belle in the luxurious warmth of her draWing-roOm.
 Then my eye fell on the money, which still lay on the shelf where I had placed it. Was it not safe enough? Who could en- ter? But as a wiser provision l again took the roll of notes, and EIysyiiii;9 gH4 stairs -4lll setit 9Ekain the tin-box where kept my most sacred treasures-two or three letters, badly spelled, and badly written, I fear, but straight from Tom Haring $ heart to mine-my brave sailor lad, who
 
 ing home tO claim his bride and settle down as a landsman, all for my sake. I forgot all about the money. reading these, and dreaming over the happy dreams to which they gave rise. Already the clear ing had been made in sight of my pres ent home for the little cottage which was to be ours, and when the mine de veloped and the town grew, we soon would be in the centre of quite a popU- | lation. So We hoped, and were content.
 "Ahl if this money were only ours" l thought, with a sigh, as I laid it at last away; and with a fond kiss put the let teIs by its side, then closed and locked the box and ran lightly down the stairs.
 When at last nine struck from the old clock in the corner, l laid aside my sew iny, arranged everything in readiness for the morning, and soon was snugly ensconced in my bed, where sleep came to me as sweetly. as swiftly as though guarded from harm on every side. It was a strange sound which awakened me, and which caused me in a moment to sit upright in my bed, silent and listening. Again 1t came. IL was the noise of chisel and steel, accompanied by low murmurs of voices. What could it be? But hardly had the thought flashed through my brain than answer ing thought solved 1t. The two men who, that afternoon, had seen the money in my fathers hands-the ayaricious greed their eyes betrayed, their enmity for him, their probable knowledge of his dcpdrture-this made the mystery clear. But what was to be dOne2 1 crept from my bed, wondering If this feeling palsy ing my heart was fear, experienced for the first time m my life. 1 glanced at ,, ,,,,s stout door, the barred windows, and took f-eshaiourage. IL would be long before they could effect an entrance.
 "What do you want:' l asked at last boldly, my feSr dying away at sound of mv own voice. l could distinguish, in answer, a whispered consultation. then a gruf voice replied;
 "We want to get in, and the sooner you open this door the better 1T you force us to break 1t down, book out for yourself Open 1t and we'll do you no harm
 "I know yOu,' I aEswcred-''bOth Of you, and I prefer your acquaintance with good solid oak between. If you don't wish me tO arouse my father ypu'H ga away"
 "Ha, har' they laughed scornfully. That is your game, my girl, Is 1t? You play it well: but yOur father is beyond reach of your voice, and We know it. Open the door, that's a good li,ss. We are cold and want a sight of your fire. D
 To this l made no answer, so they continued:
 'We'd like a drop of beer, too, if you have it handy. Will yOu let us in or not?'
 This is my fathers house" I answer ed. "In his absence l admit no strang- CTS"
 even show your they scornfully re- piled.
 And once more chisel and steel fell boldly to work. Ohl how I blessed the trusty lock, and when at last they ceased their useless efforts, and their footsteps died away, fell on my knees in tran sport of gratitude that I had escaped the danger. But it was, alas, short lived. From 1t I was reused by a crash that made the walls tremble. The men had withdrawn, and arming themselves with huge log as g battering-ram, as- sailed the door. l saw the bar shake and knew it could not long withstand their united pressure. With strength almost superhuman l dragged what fur niture I could to its defense, piling it up as barricade, fear being lost in frenzied indignation at this outrage to a helpless girl. Then speeding mp stairs, l took the money from the place I had deposit ed it and placed 1t Tn my breast, deter mined to defend 1t with my life. As turned to go down again my eye fell on my fathers gun, and with almost a sob of thanksgiving ] seized it in my grasp As 1 did so another blow was struck followed by another and another.
 ''I am armedr' ! cried through the door. If you force an entrance l will kill you"
 4 scomful laugh was the only reply, as the blows fell thick and fast, the men IttItdlll1 lAloL ldl clApA-u to AlAoNt ltI- ward with newly acquired strength Once more I glanced around the room The fire was dying ont; only few en- bers were left in the ashes. l could picture the girls white face, with hlaz- ing, resolute eyes and stOut young hear. facing the unseen enemy, not knowing at what moment her sole defense would yield. Another blow The timbers creak. Soon, stout as they are, they will give way. But few moments more must elapse before they are destroyed. Once more l shout through the door
 Men, if yOu enter. it Is at the peril of your livesl Be warned in tlmer'
 Again a scornful laugh Is my reply.
 You shall pay well for this work, sc no more of your threats" they say, and l obey them.
 What is my best defense? Back of me Is a window, low to the ground. Have they a spy at the rear? This I must risk and trusting to the noise and darkness slip silently the bolt, and raising the sash, leap to the ground, just as with an awful crash, my barn, cade falls to the floor. the dOol gives way, and the men leap into the deserted room.
 The open window betrays me They rush forward. There Is but one chance I raise the gun and empty both barrel; into space: then. clutching the money