The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-08

heard the soft cutting sound Of knife in thu
door. lie was cutting one Of the panels Out
of the door.
could not bear to shoot him dead, but
would stop his work on the door. / could
tell from the sounds of his feet that he WA:
standing to one side OF the panel he was cut
ting.
sent bullet through that panel, and The
report of the pistol frightened me more thar
the burglar had.
There was a perfect torrent Of oaths. Il
put out his light, too, for could see through
the hole that il was not light inside. lie was
moving about.
"Caught again, --" he exclaimed.
Isst there with my revolver cooked wait
ing for what was to come next. II the bur.
glar down stairs released himself, could
defend myself against him, too? What II he
was armed?
On. il John Goodwin would but come
And Sarah, where was she:.
In less than ten minutes all this had hap
pened, but it seemed an age.
But there was no alternative but to sit
there in an agony Of dread. with no other
sound save the horrible, tireless pattering OF
the water falling from the fountain in the
reservoir.
Then suddenly window ratified below as
II in the dining-roOm a moment after.
ward there was sound as il some person
Jumped out. What if he should come il
again: Then let him come; and | opened
the door so that could hear and see every.
thing in the ball. was desperate.
How many dreadful minutes passed 80
can not tell; probably not many, but the sus'
pense was fairly horrible.
At last there was \ sound Of carriage
wheels, and they came rapidly nearer. Was
it John Goodwin: Yes. Thank God! Al
last!
The sound stopped before the door.
flew to the window and raised 1t, but for my
life could not articulatc . sound. But
dropped the door key ut his feet, and he
looked up in establishment. Then my voice
came:
"Let yourself in and come up quick"
Then staggered back to my seat on the
sofa. Idon't think was quite conscious Of
his being in the room until he stood oyel
me.
"For Heavens sake, Fanny, what has
happened"
| could only point with the revolver to the
closet.
He saw and comprehended all in mo.
ment.
"Burglars! And are they in the closet
Eyes"
This last in whisper.
At that moment there was sound in the
hall: looking up We saw Sarah standing In
the door, her strange eyes flaming.
"Ah ha. Margaret McAffcc. This Is your
Job, is it" he cried.
She dartcd back, but he was too quick fol
her. He caught her by the wrists and drag
ged her into The room; she fierce as a tigress
"Giye me the revolver, Fanny" he said
and in m instant Sarah was quiet as lamb
"Please 90 down and ask the driver tt
come up with some straps"
l did as he directed me.
The driver came up presently with sever
al straps, quite sufficient to secure Sarah
Then the sofa was drawn away, the closet
door unlocked and the man inside made Il
step out. When he saw his wife secured
there in the room he took it coolly, ant
smiled 1T her-she was crying bitterly.
"They've got us dead to rights, Mag; 81
don't make n fuss over it,"
Then he, too, was secured, and the driver
ran out for a policeman.
While We were there guarding ourprison'
ers the bell rang and father came; so thai
when the officers came there was cOnsid'
cradle gathering. Then they took the pris'
"And how about the ball, Fan: Good.
ness, little girl, how white you arew sait
her father.
That is all remember of it. Halt an houl
later the first consciousness revealed tn,
fact that some one was kissing my fOrhead
and chatting my hands in strange, tender
way. It was not father, for he came in
moment afterward, with Mary just behint
him, her hands full Of rest0ratves. They
were not needed.
"It is too bad to spoil your pleasure, Mr.
Goodwin, and it is not too late yet for you t
90 to the ball."
without you:" he asked sharply.
"Why, yes; should only have my hea(
full Of burglars and pistols. still feel lik
shooting"
Ipointed them to the bullet-hole in tn
closet door, and there was a little surprise
II didn't think any OF my girls had s.
much grit" said father.
If you feel able to go, and will 60, I shal
be 50 much gratitied at having your com
panv," said Mr.. Goodwin. ''Will you no
go:"
eyes, 90, If YOU care to-" said father
laughing, "Mary and will stand guard"
So we went to the Governors ball, afte
all. 1t was pleasant and enjoyable, no doubt
but don't remember much of it. 1t wa
greatly like a dream. / was glad when
was over. Only the ride there and bac
seemed too short. Yet, shall never forge
it through all my lifetime. For it was iron
that ride that kneit down at my bedsid
that night and thanked the good God for be
| slowing upon poor simple me the priceless
love of such a man as John Goodwin.-N. y
| Mercuru,