The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-12-16

! "He was good enough to me-" she said
| poor Mr.. Archibald And this comes Of
wanting to marry at this time of life, and
galivanting on railroads. / wonder whether
| he is changed much. I'll take a look" and
Maggie crossed the room and lifted the lid
| over the face of the enclosed body
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, but it was living face, well chalk.
ed, and not her masters, and Maggie knew
| at once that she had been humbugged-that
| this story of her masters death was lie
and that burglarlay within the coffin, ready
to spring upon her and bind 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. 1t was long dis.
| lance to the nearest house, and even if they
did not kill her, they would execute theil
purpose and rob the place before she re-
turned.
Master looks natural" said Maggie, aloud
as she 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 success more
than once. Ifshc could secure these pistols
she felt safe
Poor, dear MASTER" she sobbed as she
edged toward the back room. Poor dear
master. She lifted the desk lid, and seized
the pistols
She glded back to the front parlor and sat
down on chair. She turned up her sleeves
and grasped pistol in each hand and then
watched the coffin quietly. In half an hour
the lid stirred. A cautious hand crept up the
side. a why eye peeped out 1t fell upon
the armed figure and closed again
you'd better" said Maggie to herself
Again the head lifted. This time Maggie
sprang to her feet
You're fixed quite handy" she said cool
y. mo need of laying you out if I fire, and
| can aim tirst-rate, especially when I'm
afraid of ghosts, as l be now"
The head bobbed down again. Maggie re.
seated herself. She knew that this could not
last very long-that there must be conflict
before long 1t was as she supposed A
moment more and the coffin was empty, and
a ferocious young fellow sat on it and thus
addressed her:
1--WE meant to do it all quiet" he said,
and don't want to brighten an old woman.
Just put them down."
Pm not frightened" said Maggie,
I'm coming to take them things away
from you," said the man.
Come" said Maggie.
lie advanced one step. She took aim and
he lodged, but bullet went through his
left arm, and it dropped by his side.
Furious with pain, he dashed toward her.
But quick as thought she fired again, and this
time wounded him dangerously in the right
shoulder. Faint, and quite helpless, he stag
gered against the wall
There you've done it, old woman" he
said. open the door and let me out My
game is up"
Mine isn't" said old Maggie. "Get into
your coffin again, or this time I'll shoot you
through the heart"
The burglar looked piteously at her, but he
saw no mercy in her face. He went back to
the coffin and laid down in it. Blood
dripped from his wounds, and he was grow
ing pale. Maggie did not want to see him
die before her eyes, but she dared not call aid.
To leave the house before daylight would be
to meet this mans friends, and risk her own
life. There was no help for it but to play
the surgeon herself, and in a little while she
had stopped the blood and saved the burglars
life. Nothing, however, could induce her to
let him out of his coffin.
About one or two o'clock she heard steps
outside, and knew that the other burglars
were near, but her stout heart never qualed.
She trusted in the bars and bolts and they
did rot betray her,
The daylight found her quietly sitting be-
side the wounded burglar, and the mik-man,
bright and early, was the ambassador who
summoned the officers ofjustice.
When the bridal party returned next day
the house was neat and tidy, and Maggie, in
her best alpaca, told the news in laconic fash
ion.
Frightened she said, in answer to the
sympathetic ejaculation of her new mistress
Enlightened Oh, no! Fear wasn't born in
me-"