Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-03-14

NOs AOs
"You are very impertinent. tel
you L have no place for you, and tn
: storm Is already breaking away"
AS she spoke even, the rain cam
down in binding sheets and lightning
streaked the heavens.
. "Weli !" he said, carelessly, 1--WE dom
go much on matters on the road, but
} know wouldn't send a dog out such 8
night as this. I'm not q particula
chap, leastwise not nowadavs. and III
, nave to insist on your giving me som
sort of shelter, If it's only your dog
, kennel"
The man spoke with decision. Mani,
} felt that after all they were really in hi
power, and possibly it might be wortf
; while to do civilly what she would pro
baby have to do at last.
II will keep you on one condition, II
she said. There is loft to the house
a sort of garret, which is very comfor-
J table. 1t is closed with q trap door, and
you may sleep on the lounge there i
you will allow US to lock the door Oh
the outside"
BLESS my stars and garters !" he
said, looking at her curiously, "I don't
care where you lock the door,"
They took him up stairs, and he
climbed up the steep attic stairs. The
women shut the door as he politely
bade them goodnight, and they fasten-
ed the paddock, hearing him chuckls
to himself az he kicked off his boots.
I'D take the key, mum, 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 to
night, Ssrah,u the mistress said. Sarah
dragged in her bedding and made pal
let on the floor, and then, after the GUS
tom of women, they examined the clo-
sets, looked under the bed and piled
chairs against the locked door. The
rain was still falling heavily and the
night was black as ink. The mistres 9
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 1t
was the moonlight. The storm had
cleared away at last. She got up un-
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 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. To her surprise they
turned up the lane leading to their
house and on reaching the gate came
into the yard. Now, almost paralyzed
with fear she saw that they were mask
ed. The truth almost blinded her.
They knew that she was alone, that
she had this money and they had come
to get it. For moment she was pa.
ralyzed. She remembered Harry's last
words: "You must guard it with your
life if necessary"
She ran to the sleeping Sarah and
awakened her. She got dOwn.Harry's
rifle, which he had loaded and taught
her to use. The sleeping girl was soon
thoroughly awake, and she explained
to her their position.
tits the tramps that's done it."
1.-The tramps. No. Sarah, the KEY,
the key of the attic"
She flew up the stairs, unlocked the
paddock and opened the trap. The man
sprang up at the sound.
| Come, come with me-" His own
senses alert and hearing the noise of the
horses below and steps about the house,
he followed her without. a word. At
the foot of the stairs she stopped.
II have large sum of money in the
| house and those men have come to get
it, thinking I am alone. If they kill me
that money must be guarded
what have you, pistols, shotguns ?"
he whispered, taking in the whole situ-
alton.
"Here's my husbands rifle. 1t is load
ed."
"Hist. Where are they going to break
in ?' The steps came boldly on the pi-
azza to the front door.
"Get behind me. 1 will fire at the
first man that enters. How many bar
rels are there ?"
"Six, all loaded.n
Every well. Keep this cane in your
hand for me in case need it,"
There was no storming Of shutters
They heard the key applied to the door
softly. 1t opened, and a man followed
by two others confidently entered. The
first figure walked directly to the stairs.
He had taken but a step when three
| IoAAOVO OesAAO III AOPlA ouOCCSSZoA. utIt
was heavy thud; this man dropped
and the other two fed. Sarah ran to
the window and two horses galloped
down the lane
Don't faint, madam; there's work
yet to do" said the tramp.
Mamie caught hold of the rail for sup
port and then went into the room. "Get
q candle, Sarah"
They lighted candle and gave it to
the tramp, who went down stairs the
two women following with brandy and
ammonia. The man had fallen back
ward and lay with his face up and head
towards the door.
"Raise the mask and give him all
first, madam"
Mamie raised the mask and fell back
with q wild shrek.
"It was Harry Wells ~ answered
ut was that smiling. popular young
scamp" 81,
"It's no use to ask why he did it. ]
don't care. Motives don't matter mucl
in such case. But she, Mamie-Mrs
tWells-she has her gray hair, but there
is no trace of that midnight tragedy ir
her face"
"I believe she was ill for long time
answered my friend. "They say small
pox cures one of other diseases. Well
some griefs are like the small pox; they
cure you of lesser weaknesses-tender
ness of the heart for example This,
think, was one of them"
"And the tramp
"He and Sarah were of course tn,
witnesses at the inquest. The next day
he was off on his journey, and hav'
never heard Of him since. e."-Sunda1
World.
THE HUMMING BIRDS NEsT.-Th,
nest is about an inch in diameter, and a
much in depth, with its outside con
structed of the blueish gray mos
taken from old trees or fences, an(
thickly glued to the interior with tn
saliva of tho bird Within aro thicL