The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-11-23

This mans dark hair was very long, and
hung loose around his neck and down
over his forehead, not only concealing his
face, but giving wild, unearthly ex-
preston to his fierce eyes and large, de-
cided features. He was CHASTITY pale, and
his soiled, torn dress, damp and muddy,
had scarcely trace of color left in il. 1t
was curious costume, combined from
that of half dozen regiments, and gave
no clue to the mans identity. Tall and
powerful, he was fearful in his gaunt
Indebtedness, and Madeleine stood be-
fore him transfixed with horror, white
and gasping for breath. Unusually
strong and muscular for her age. and or
dinarily brave and fearless, she now felt
perfectly helpless; the events of the day
had unnerved her.
"What do you want2' she at last found
strength to ask, meeting his sullen, keen
glance.
"The key of this door,"
''There is nothing there for you," said
Madeleine, the blood rushing to her heart
and tingling through her veins as she
guessed the mans intention.
He laughed, and took step toward
her, his dark, menacing eyes fixed on her
face.
"Keep off" cried Madeleine, backing II
have nothing that you want"
"You forget the jewels that you and
your husband were admiring few min
utes since. /, too, saw them glitter from
outside. Give me the key! quickly, too;
l am in q hurry"
IL will not" cried Madeleine, seizing
knife from the table, and retreating to-
ward the door of the cottage.
"You will not We shall see about that.
You have put it in your pocket. 1 saw
you put it there. Come, you are losing
time,'
Madeleine's idea was to reach the door,
open it quickly, dart across the lawn. and,
by her screams, alarm the people in the
neighbOring cottages; but her wary an
tagonist, divning her thoughts, suddenly
sprang forward, seized her violently, and
attempted to confne her hands and arms
in his'strong, rough grasp.
Madeleine felt all her strength return
ing, as if by magic, and up and down the
hard, sanded floor they fought and strug-
gled for the mastery.
Life >and death were in the balsnce,
and Madeleine at last, by q superhuman
effort. freed her right hand, which still
held the sharp, pointed knife, and dealt
the robber singing blow on the cheek.
For an instant, mad with pain, and blind
and dizzy with nameless dread, the man
relaxed his hold and fell back. Madeleine
breathed again; hope rose in her breast;
her strength seemed to renew itself for
the contest. The robber dashed the blood
from his cheek, and made ready for anoth
er spring.
At this moment child's sweet voice
broke the awful stiffness.
mamma! mammal cried Adrienne, ut
the door of her room.
Madeleine's heart sank. The robber,
seeing his advantage, sprang toward the
him; with trembling, uplifted hands, and
was again seized in his strong arms.
1.-THE child, you will not hurt my child"
she shrieked, as he drew dagger from
his breast, and pointed to the door.
"Then give me the key"
Madeleine drew the key from her pock-
ct and offered it to the robber.
"Will you stay where you areT he
asked threateningly.
She bowed her head, unable to speak.
The man approached the cupboard, and
was slowly fitting the keys.
"Mamma! mammal cried the childish
voice, in louder tones.
"That child is too noisy. She will ruin
ALL" cried the man, striding toward the
door.
Madeleine flung herself before him. He
tried to push her away; but, falling on
her knees, she caught his hands with
frenzied energy.
ooh. no, you will not hurt my baby, my
only one You cannot be so wicked"
"Then say to her, 60 to sleep, my child;
am with your father"
"Oh, no, you cannot mean itw cried
Madeleine, horror-stricken at the idea.
"Then will quiet her.
"Stay, stay. May God forgive me; !
will say it."
"Be quick, thenr he fcried, eagerly
watching poor Madeleine's efforts to form
the lie with her trembling lips. Twice,
thrice she tried TO speak; but no sound
came, only a long, gasping sigh.
"Mamma! mamma! Oh, mamma, comew
The cry broke the spell. Madeleine
sprang to her feet, crying. in hoarse.
forced tones:
"Go to SLEEP. nay child. I am Nth your
fdtherw
The little feet were heard pattering on
the hard floor; then all was still. Made
leine sat, half-fainting, on her low chair.
terrified at the sound of her own words,
and the robber carefully emptied deep
pocket in his coat, and secured Madeleine's
box in the depths. That done, he again
approached his trembling victim.
"You have lived in the Chateau d'Au-
bretotT
81 have" Madeleine faltered.
"There are valuables concealed there.
Which room are they int"
II do not know"