Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-02-18

and try to escape; but the accomplices
Of the man were doubtless outside. 1t
was along distaace to the nearest hohse-
and even if they did not kill her, the !
would execute their purpose and rob the
place before she returned.
master looks natural" said Maggie!
aloud. aud tried to collect her thoughts.
Mr.. Van Motifs revolvcrs were in the
next room, she knew, loaded. six shots
in each. Maggie could use pistols. She
had aimed with troublesome cats with
success more than once. If she could
only secure these pistols she felt safe.
Poor, dear master = she sobbed, and
edged toward the back room.
Poor. dear master" She lifted the
desk lid. She had them safe
She gided back to the front parlor
and sat down on chair. She turned up
her SLEEVES and grasped pistol i'll each
hand and she watched the coffin quietly
In half an hour the lid stirred. A eau
tious hand .crept up the side. A wiry
eye peeped out.
It fell upon the armed figure, aud
closed again.
you'd bet er, said Maggie, to her
self.
Again the head lifted. This time
Maggie sprung to her feet.
"You're fixed quite handy" she said
; cody. "No need Of laying you out If
fire, and ] can aim first rate, especially
when am afraid Of ghosts, rs l be
now"
The head bobbed down again. Mag
} gle reseated herself. She knew that this
could not last long It was as she sup
posed. A moment more and the coffin
was empty, and ferocious young fel-
low sat on its edge, and thus addressed
:. her:
1--WE meant to do it all III quiet" he
said ''and I don't want to frighten an
old woman. Just put them down."
"l'm not frightened, said Maggie.
'I'm coming to take them thing away
from you" said the man,
He advanced one step. She took aim
and he lodged, but bullet went
through his left arm and dropped by his
side.
Furious pain he dashed towards her.
She fred again and this time wounded
I him in the right shoulder. Faint, aud
4 quite helpless he staggered against the
: wall.
"There! you've done it, old woman,
3 lie said. "Open the door and let me
out. My game is up
, milne isn't said old Maggie. "Ge'
into your coffin again, or this time Ii
> shoot you through the heart.
The burglar looked piteously at her
but he saw no mercy in her face, Ht
! went back to the coffin and laid down IL
Z it. Blood dripped from his wounds
and he was growing palo. Maggie dit
:. not want to see him die before her eyes
but she dare not call aid. To leave tn
/ house before daylight would be to NEE
: this mans friends and risk her own If
= There was nothing for it but to pla.
Il surgeon herself, and in little while sh
: had stopped the blood and saved th
burglars life. More than this-sh
;, brought him cup of tea, and fed hir
l with it as if he had been baby. Moth
!, ing however, could induce her to let hir
ont OF his ceffin.
n About one or two o'clock they hear
le steps outside, and knew that the .othe
burglars were neal, but her stout heal
|, never quailed She trusted i'll the bal
Is and bolts and they did not betray yhe1
The daylight found her quietly k!ttin
le beside the wouxded burglar, aaf til
milk man, bright and early was the en-
lie bassador who summoned the officers {
justice.
le When the bridal party return3 he,
day the house was neat and tidy, on
of Maggie in her best alpaca, told the new
in laconic fashion,
to "Fnshtened!' she cried, in answer
he the sympathetic ejaculation of her ne
er mistress. Frightened, Oh, no. Fe
wasn't born in me.'
he ------.--