Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-03-02

but that you would give me something
to eat, at least I've waited to ask you in
person"
Women are soft-hearted 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 thunder-storms that gather
so suddenly and with such force in this
country. After its strength was spent
and | remember that it was the most
violent of the season-there fell steady
sheets Of rain that brought Rock creek
over the bridges before morning.
Madam, it's no use talking. You
can't mean to send fellow out in such
Storm said the tramp as the three
stood on the porch watching the storm.
Tim sorry, but I've no place for you. "
What, in a house ike this. It's a
pity there isn't Granny for stow
away. | was walking around it, wait
ing for the girl, and it seems to me it
ought to be able to hold three people =
you are very impertinent tell you
! have no place for you, and the storm
is already breaking away
As she spoke even the rain came down
in binding sheets, and lightning streak
ed the heavens.
"Well,n he said, carelessly, "we dom
90 much on manners on the road, but |
know | wouldn't send a dog out such a
night as this. I'm not particular chap
leastwise not nowadays and I'll have
to 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 We're really in
his power, and possibly it might be
worth while to do ciyilly what she would
probably have to do at last.
II will keep you on one condition,
she said. There is loft to the house,
a sort Of garnet, which is very comfort
able. 1t is closed with trap door, and
you may sleep on the lounge there if
you will allow us to lock the door on the
outside .
BLESS my stars and garters. he said
looking at her curiously, II don't care
when you lock the door"
They took him up the steep attic
stairs. The women shut the dorr as he
politely babe them good night, and they
fastened the paddock, hearing him
chuckle to himself as he kicked off his
boots
''P d take the key, num- said Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her, and the
two descended to shut up the house.
After they made everything secure, they
went back up stairs.
You must sleep in my room tonight
Sarah, the mistress said. Sarah drag
ged in her bedding. and made a pallet
on the floor, and then. after the custom
Of women, they examined the closets,
looked under the bed and piled the
chairs against the locked door. The
rain was still falling heavily, and the
night black as ink. The mistress and
maid went to bed. and although worried
and anxious, finally went to sleep.
After midnight Mamie found herself
awake and bright light shining in the
room. She started up and saw that it
was the moonlight The storm had
cleared away at last. She got up, I'M
able to compose herself Immediately,
and went to the window The moon
was indeed shining brightly. AS she
stood looking at the peaceful scene be-
fore her, she saw way down the road,
for it was as bright as day, several
horscmen. 1t was such an unusual
sight at this hour that she stood watch
ing them as they came nearer. To her
surprise they turned up the lane lead
ng towards their house and on reaching
The gate came into the yard Now, al
most paralyzed with fear, she saw that
hey were masked. The truth almost
blinded her. They knew that she was
alone, that she had this money, and
hey had come to get it. For a moment
she was paralyzed. She remembered
Harry last words: you must guard
t with your life, if necessary"
She ran to the sleeping Sarah, and
awakened her. She got down Harry
lille which he had loaded and taught
Ter to use. The sleeping girl was soon
thoroughly awake, and she explained to
Ter their condition.
cts the tramps that done it.
1.-The tramps. No, Sarah, the key,
he key to the attic"
She flew up the stairs, unlocked the |
paddock and opened the trap. The man
prang up at the sound.
Come. come with me- His own
lenses alert, and hearing the noise of
he horses below and steps about the
louse, he followed her without a word
1t the foot OF the stairs she stopped
II have a large sum of money in the
rouse, and those men have come TO get
t, thinking am alone. If they Kill me
hat money must be guarded
''What have you, pistols, shotguns?''
ne whispered, taking in the whole stu
ltion.
Here is my husbands rifle. 1t is
oaded."
"Hist. Where are they going to break
n?' The steps came boldly on the |
,iazza to the front door,
Get behind me. | will fire at the |
irst man that enters. How many bar
els are there?"
"Six; all loaded
Every we'll Keep this cane in your
land for me, in case | need it,
There was no storming of shutters. |
They heard the key applied to the door
oftly. 1t opened, and man, followed |
y two others, confidently entered t
The first figure walked directly to the /
tairs. He had taken but step. when
hree shots came in rapid succession.
here was a heavy thud; this man drop |
,ed, and the other two turned and fled. |
sarah ran to the window, and two |
lorses galloped down the lane,
Don't faint, madam: there's work |
-et to do" said the tramp.
Mamie caught hold of the rail for sup
BORT, and then went into the room.
Get candle, Sarah
They lighted candle and gave it to |
he tramp, who went down stairs, the
wo women following with brandy and |
The man had fallen back
ward and lay with his face up and head |
oward the door
RAISE the mask and give air first,
madam.
Mamie raised the mask, and fell back |
With a wild shrek.
''Do YOU want to know why her hair |
5 white?N he asked.
1T was Harry Wells"' | answered. |
1T was that smiling, popular young
Its no use to ask why he did it. /
ion't care. Motives don matter much |
n such case. But she, Mamie Mrs.
Wells she has her grey hair, but there
; no trace of that midnight tragedy in
Ier face.
II believe she was i'll for a long time"
my friend, They say small /