The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-07-12

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from the east room; the dining-room
branched of from the long room, paral-
lei with the east room.
Between them was a covered porch.
Each had three or four windows and
two or three doors. There was not a
shutter to the first nor q bolt to the
last. And we were houseful Of women
unarmed and unprotected.
The noise continued. There was no
doubt OF its meaning. Some one was
srying the windows of the long room,
oteadily, carefully, persistently.
To reach the stairs and join the rest
of the household we must either pass
through the long room, all uncurtained
and open TO inspection from three sides,
or cross the porch to the dining-room,
thus going out into the black night
where we knew not what danger lurked
unseen, but fearfully near.
We sat in terror too deep for words,
and then, as with one thought rose,
slipped quietly through the door on to
| the porch, sped across it, and threw
ourselves breathlessly into the dining
room.
"Oh, Fan |" gasped Margaret, "were
you ever SO glad in all your life be-
fore ?"
"Never r. 1 answered. 81 thought l
would never reach that door Oh,sswhat
can we do"
"Let us ask Betty"
In the same noiseless manner we
crept upstairs and reused Betty in her
attic. She was ali enormous, dingy old
creature, who looked able to protect
herself and score of women younger,
fairer and less ponderous. But she
was as great coward as either of us,
and less cautious.
The young girl awoke calmly, and
instantly got out of bed and COM
menced dressing herself with aE speed,
and no words.
"What are you going to do, Kitty p
asked her mistress.
I'm a-goin' to see Of there is man
about" she answered, quietly leaving
the room.
/ followed her, and together, holding
each other tight by the hand, we crept
iown the stairs again, and softly
opened the door Of the long room on
he tiny entry. The four gray spaces
in the blackness clearly defined the
window, and at first we could see
; othing else. But there was the noise
md Kitty's fingers trembled. Present
we saw. A man was bending for
vard at the end window, with q regular
low movement, that explained the
'ouud perfectly. he was turning the
handle of some boring instrument just
inder the catch.
We fed precipitately.
"He's ther," announced Kitty, can
1e's a-comin' in"
Betty Rroaned. 1t was curius, but
ihe knowledge that no one could hear
cry had the effect of suppressine
chem. Under any other circumstances
where there was the faintest shadow Of
hope that it would have brought ul
help, l am sure each and all of III
would have screamed Justify. But We
,, knew our danger and its hopelessness
We were awed from the first.
The mountains had been gaining al
evil reputation for some time as the re
sort of the border ruffians of the war
Margaret's mode Of life. in it's differ
ence from their own, had long passed
for the outcome of enormous wealth il
!, the eyes of the valley people, and he
: fame had spread across the ridge.
Kitty put it into words in her usua
I terse manners
"Ihis comes of yer big silver teapot
4 Mis- Hastings"
= "Oh, Kitty, hush And it is onl,
4 plate. Oh, wish 1 could throw it ou
of the window to him."
.t "It we only had horn," I moaned
= or a pistol"
/. "Thers's the dinner-horn," criet
v Kitty.
Scan you fire a pistol, Fan ?" crie'
a Margaret.
n 81 eau do anything" l answere'
d fIantically. " Anything but stand her
a and wait for that wretch. Kitty wher
Is the hornp 7"
"a "Out to the barn."
u "Oh, you little goose" |"
d "And the pistol is downstairs i
sr Bertie's tool-chest on the porch,
d sighed Margaret.
Q. "There is one, then? Oh, on tn
u porchl"
think the few seconds that followe
r. were the longest, the most terrible, th
he most heroic of my life. have alway
is felt proud of myself when recall th
ID sinking OF my neart, and the wonderfS
/, victory over my natural and excusabl
cowardice that brief struggle brougI
" about.
d 81 will go and get it," said, yer
le quietly. "Tell me exactly where it is
II "Oh, cannotl You win have to tax
70 candlel"
)" Gould anything be worse? Go OF
ID into the night with my very life
II my hand, and light to show wher
I, l was But l was wrought up to i
"Very we'll, give me the candle. Kilt,
r, come down and stand ready to lock til
d; door, il any one comes"
a, Margaret began to cry and Betty
moan, but neither of them uttered
at word.