The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-03-17

gentlemanly Instinct has risen up as she
came in.
81 suppose my girl told you we had moth
ing for you, and that it will be great kind
ness if you will leave as soon as possible"
said Mamie.
Eyes, she did just that, madam, but took
it upon myself to believe it wasn't so urgent.
The truth is, I'm very hungry and dead tired,
and didn't believe but that you would give
me something to eat; at least I've waited to
ask you in person.
Women are soft-headed creatures. Mamie
went and got him something to eat herself
The darkness that had been increasing for
some time came down rapidly, and there
burst one OF those terrific thun6er-storms
that gather so suddenly and with such force
in this country. After its strength was
spent there fell steady sheets of rain that
brought Rock Creek over the bridge before
morning.
"Madan, it's no use taking You can't
mean to O~send fellow out in such stoF-n,"
said a tramp as the three stood on the porch
watching the storm.
''1'Hl sorry, but I've no place for you"
''What, in a house like this? It's a pity
thereSsn't Granny for n stowaway. was
"oifN'aiS Ohhu IT. WdibIiIR lOT 1tIi, ana
it seems to me it ought to be able to hold
three people,"
fYOu are very impertinent. 'rtell you
have no place for you, and the sterm is al
ready breaking away"
As she spoke, even the rain came down in
binding Sheets and lightning stzeaked the
heavens
We'll he said csrelessly, I'VE don't go
much on manners or the road but know
wouldn't send a dog out such a night as this.
I'm not a particular chap, feastwise not
nowadays, and I'll have 10 insist on your
{ giving me some sort OF shelter. if it's only
! your dog KENNEL
The man spoke with decision. Mamie felt
that after all they were really in his power.
and possibly it might be worth while to do
/ civilly what she would probably have TO do
( at last.
/ Il will keep you on one condition." she
said. ''There is a loft to the house, a sort of
/ garret, which is very comfortable 1t is
| closed with trap-door and you may sleep on
the lounge there If you viii allow us to lock
/ the door on the outsfde.''
/ BLESS my stars and earters % he said.
! looking at her curioasIy, 81 don t care where
! you lock the door,
! Ihey took him up stairs, and he climbed
! up the steep attic stairs. The woman shut
! the door as he politely bade them good night,
ana they fastened the paddock, hearing him
chucKle 70 himself as he kicked of his boots
I'd take the key, num- said Sarah
mamie took the key with her, and the two
descended to shut up the house. After they
! mad made everything secure they went back
up stairs.
You must sleep in nv room to-ni0bt.
Sarah, =" the mistress. said. Sarah dragged in
her bedding and made a pallet on the floor
and then, after the custom of women. thew
examined the closets, looked under the bed
and piled the chairs against the locked door
The rain was stfilfalling heavily and the
night black as ink. The mistress and maid
went to bed and, although worried and anx-
tous, finally went to sleep.
After midnight Mamie found herself wide
awake and bright light shinig in the room.
She started up and saw that it was the moon |
ngnt. Ihe storm had cleared away at last. !
she got up, unable TO compose herself imme- |
uiaCeiy, and went to-the window. The moon |
was indeed shining brightly. AS she stood /
looking at the peaceful scene before her she |
saw away down the road, for it was as bright .
as day, several horsemen. 1t was such an
unusual sight at this hour that she stood
watching them as they came nearer. Tober
surprise they turned up the lane leading To
their house, and on reaching the gate came
INTO the yard Now, almost paraIyzed with
fear, she saw that they were masked. The
truth Almost blinded her They knew that
she was alone, that she had this money. and
they had come to get it. For a moment she
was paralyzed. She remembered Harrv's
last words: 'You must guard it with your
life if necessary"
one ran to the sleeping Sarah and awaken
eu her. She got down Harry's rife, which
ne Lad loaded and taught her to use The
Sieepng girl was soon thor roughly awake,
ana she explained to her their condition.
11t's the tramp that's done it" II
Inc tramp? No. Sarah, the ksy-She
key of the attic" .
She'f1ew up the stairs, unlocked the pad
ock and opened the trap. The tramp
;praHg up at the sound
Come, come with me-" she cried.
His own senses alert, and hearing the
noise OF the horses below and steps about t
he house, he followed her without a word. ,
At the foot of the stairs she stopped.
81 have large sum of money in the bouse
md those men have come to get it, thinking c
am alone. If they kill me that money
must be guarded" g
what have you-pistols, shot-euns?'' he Y
taking in the whole situation.
Here is my husbands rifle tits loaded. >, L
q ?'' 1,
Ihe steps came boldly on the piazza to the +
ront door -
Get behind me. 1 will fire at the first >
nan that enters. How many barrels are
here p"
''Six, all loaded % ;.
VERY well. Keep this care in your hand
0r me in case need it." :,
Inere was no storming of the Skaters A,
hey heard the key applied to the door soft tr
:. 1t opened, and a man followed by two iii
theirs confidently entered. The first figure pc
'alked directly to the stairs He bad taken -,
step, when three shots came in rapid "a
recession There was heavy thud; this
an dropped and the other two fed. Sarah Oh
IN to the window and two horses gaIloped
own the lane
Don't faint. madam there's work vet to 20
D." said the tramp.
Mamie caught hold of the rail for support IN
Id then went into the room. "Get a can
e, Sarah" I'M
They lighted candle and gave it to the ~ ~
amp. who went dox.,n eF,;rs A. 49, -