The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-08

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before the bell had rung again.
"Who's that 2' she cried, holding the
door slightly ajar.
"a stranger" said voice, zone who
has something particular to say TO
you"
"You' III have to walt for to. morrow"
said Maggie. You can't come In to.
night"
"My good woman, said the stranger,
"are you Margaret Black ="
"That's my name"
"Mr. Van Motifs housekeeper for
twenty years ?"
Yes.''
my good woman, If you are attached
to your master have very bad news
for you.''
"Gracious Lord !" cried Maggie, but
but she did not open the door much
wlder--only enough to thrust her head
out Don't scare me mister, What
Is itp"
1.-THE worst you can think Of" said
the man. "Mr. Van Mott travelled on
the-road. There has been an accl-
dent"
preserve us !" cried Maggie, letting
the door fall back, and him on his
way to his wedding. He's hurt badly
then p'
He's dead" said the man. Dead
and we've brought him home"
Maggie sat down on chair and began
to cry.
We've done what we could" said
the man. "The lady he was to marry
and her friends will be down tomorrow.
Meanwhile my Instructions are that you
shall watch him, and allow no strangers
to enter the house. There are valuable
things here, I'M told; and Mr.. Van
Motifs lawyer must take possession of
them, and seal them up before strangers
have access to the room.
"Oh, dear, dear !" cried old Maggie
"That 1t 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
parlor.
They came out with their hats off, and
the other man held his also In his hand.
81 don't mind that" said old Maggie,
"but it's terrible, 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 CO."
Then she locked the door, went into
the parlor, putting the candle on the
mantle, looked at the coffin through her
tears.
HE was good enough to me-" she
said "poor Mr.. Archibald And this
comes of wanting to marry at this time
of life, and gallivanting on railroads. l
wonder whether he is changed much
I'll take look,' and Maggie crossed
the room and lifted the lid over the face
of the enclosed body.
"I'll take 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
ghastly features of clown in circus
minus the red mouth.
But 1t was living face, well chalked,
and not her masters; and Maggie knew
at once that she had been well humbug-
ged-that this story of her masters
death was lie, and that burglar lay
in the coffin, read to spring upon her,
or, perhaps, murder her at any moment.
She could of course open the door,
and try to escape; but the accomplices
of the man were doubtless outside. II
was long distance to the nearest
house, and even If they did not kill hei
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
with great success more than once
she could secure these pistols she fel
safe
"Poor, dear MASTER" she sobbed, anC
edged toward the back room. "Poor
dear master" She lifted the desk lid
She had them safe.
She glided back to the front parlol
and sat down on a chair. She turned VI
her sleeves and grasped pistol in eacl
hand,an she watched the coffin quietly
| Tn half IN h0ur tho I'D otfrra1 oot,