Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-11-18

ulu uUb Opou tuo uUUI uuCu Wluoi~oAly
enough to thrust her head out. Don't
scare me, Mister. What is it?''
1.-The worst you can think off, said the
man. s'Mr. Van Mott travelled on the
road. There has been an accident"
Preserve us!" cried Maggie, letting the
! door fall back, ''and him on the way to his
wedding. He's hurt badly then?"
Hes dead,'' said the man. dead,
and we've brought him home.''
Maggie sat down on chair and began
to cry.
sWe'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, am told; and Mr.. Van
Motifs lawyer must take possession of
| them, end seal them up before strangers
| have access to the room.''
''Oh, dear. dear!" cried old Maggie
ssThat it should come to this. Yes, I'll
watch alone, I'm not afraid, but-oh :,
dear!''
| Then she shrank back and let two men
carry horrible coffin into the front par
| lor.
They came out with their hats off, and
the other man also held his in his hand.
81 regret to leave you all alone in the
house, he said.
Il don't mind that" said old Maggie,
but it's terrible!'
IF you'd like me to stay,'' said the
man.
NO" said Maggie. ''I've no fear Of
living or dead folks. You can go.''
Then she locked the door, went into the
parlor. and putting the candle on the
mantle, looked at the coffin through her
tears.
s'He was good enough to me,' she said,
s'poor Mr.. Archibald And this comes of
wanting to marry at this time of life, and
galivanting on railroads. I wonder wheth-
he is changed much. I'll take look, u
and Maggie crossed the room and lifted
the lid over the face of the enclosed body.
"I'l take a look,'' she said to herself
again. I'm not afraid Of dead folks"
In 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 a circus minus the
| red mouth.
| But it was living face, well chalked,
J and not her masters, and Maggie knew at
once that she had been well hum bugged-
that this story of her masters death, was
lie, and that a burglar lay within the
coffin, ready to spring upon her and bind
| her, or, perhaps, murder her at any mo-
ment.
She could, of course, open the door and
| try to escape; but the accomplices of the
man were doubtless outside. 1t was loug
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.
master looks natural,' said Maggie.
aloud, and tried to collect her thoughts.
| Mr.. Van Motifs 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 sue
cess more than once. If she could secure
these pistols she felt safe.
Poor, dear master,7 she sobbed, and
edged toward the back room. Poor, dear
master.'' She lifted the desk lid. She
had them safe.
Size 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 wiry eye peeped
out.
1t fell upon the armed figure, and closed
again.
| ssYou'd better,' said Maggie to herself
| Again the head lifted. This time Mag.
gle sprang to her feet.
YOU'RE fixed quite handy" she said
cody. ssNo need of laying you out if
| fire, and l can aim first rate, especially
! when Pm afraid OF ghosts, as I be now
The head bobbed down again. Maggie
reseated herself. She knew that this could
not last very long-that there must be a
conflict before long. 1t was as she sup
posed. A moment more and the coffin
was empty, and a ferocious young fellow
sat on it's edge, and thus addressed her:
1--WE meant to do it all quiet" he said
and don't want to frlghten an old wo
man. just put them down."
"I'm not frightened" said Maggie.
I'm coming to take them things away
from you,' said the man.
"Come," said Maggie.
He advanced one stsp. She took ain
and he lodged, but a ball went through his
left arm, and dropped by his side.
Furious with pain, he dashed toward
her. She fred again, and this time woun
dcd him in the right shoulder. Faint, ant
} 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"
- ssMine isn't sain old Maggie. See