Connecticut western news., 1882-02-15

able to hold three people"
 "You are very impertinent. I tell you I have no place for you, and the storm is already breaking away"
 As she spoke even, the rain came down in blinding sheets and lightning streaked the heavens.
 "Well," he said, carelessly, "we don't go much on matters on the road, but I know I wouldn't send dog out such 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 were really in his power, and possibly it might be worth while to do civilly what she would prob ably have to do at last.
 s'I will keep you on one condition" !" she said. ''There is loft to the house, sort of garret, which is very comforta- ble. It 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, "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 good night, and they fastened the paddock, hearing him chuckle to himself as he kicked off 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 made everythingse secure they went back up stairs.
 'sYou must sleep in my room tonight, Sarah, " the mistress said. Sarah dragged in her bedding and made pallet on the floor, and then, after the custom of wo- | men, they examined the closets, 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 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 il
 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 wa
 indeed shining brightly. AS she stooe
 looking at the peaceful scene before he,
 she saw down the road, for it was a bright as day, several horsemen. It wa
 such an unusual sight at this hour tha she stood watching them as they cam nearer. To her surprise they turned ul the lane leading toward their house ant
 on reaching the gate came into the yard Now, almost paralyzsd with fear, sh saw that they were masked. The trutl
 almost blinded her. They knew tha 7 she was alone, that she had this none and they had come to get it. For moment she was paralyzed. She re l membered Harry's last words: "Yo l must guard it with your life if neces l sary."
 t She ran to the sleeping Sarah an B awakened her. She got down Harry r rife, which he had loaded and taugt her to use. The sleeping girl was 500 !. thoroughly awake, and she explained e her their condition.
 "It's the tramps that's done it'' "The tramps. No. Sarah, the key the key of the attic."
 She flew up the stairs, unlocked th s paddock and opened the trap. The ma sprang up at the sound. j. "Come, come with me-" His ow :, senses alert, and hearing the noise | the horses below and steps about tl :. house, he followed her without wort a At the foot of the stairs she stopped. "I have large sum of money in tt house and those men have come to 2,
 it, thinking I an alone. If they Ri Y me that money must be guarded" "What have you, pistols, shot-guns he whispered, taking in the whole situ, :, ton.
 "Here is my husbands rifle. It :, loaded" "Hist. Where are they going t \ break in" The steps came boldly o the piazza to the front-door.
 "Get behind me. will fire at th " first man that enters. How many bal . rels are there ?''
 "Six, all loaded"
 ' "Very we'll. Keep this cane in you
 hand for me in case I need it." k There was no stormlng of shutters They heard the key applied to the doc 7, softly. It opened, and 8 man folio we
 by two others confidently entered. Tn
 first figure walked directly to the stairs }, He had taken but step when thre shots came in rapid succession. Ther was 8 heavy thud; this man droppe , and the other two turned and fec Q Sarah ran to the window and two horse - galloped down the lane.
 "Don't faint, madam; there's wer f. yet to do,' said the tramp. ;t Mamie caught hold of the rail for sul :, port and then went into the room. "Ge r candle, Sarah"
 @ They lighted candle and gave it a the tramp, who went down stairs, th
 two women following with brandy an ammonia. The man had fallen bacl O ward and lay with his face up and hea d toward the door.
 e "Raise the mask and give him a # first, madam"
 1T Mamie raised the mask and fell bac