The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-02-18

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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 ghastly pale, and
his soiled, torn dress, damp and muddy,
| had scarcely trace Of color left in II. 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 transfxed with horror, white
and gasping for breath. Unusually
strong and muscular for her age. and or
dnarily brave and fearless, she now felt
perfectly helpless; the events Of the day
had unnerved her.
What do you want p she at last found
strength TO ask, meeting his sullen, keen
glance
"Ihe 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 a step toward
her, his dark, menacing eyes fixed on her
face.
keep Of" cried Madeleine, backing. II
have nothing that you want"
"You forget the jewels that You and
your husband were admring few min.
utes since. |, too, saw them glitter from
outside. Give me the key! quickly, too /;
am in hurry"
al will not" cried Madeleine. seizing q
knife from the table, md retrestng to-.
ward the door of ,he cottage
"You will not! We shall see about that
You have put it in your pocket saw
you put It there, Come, you are losing
tine"
Madeleines idea wNs 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.
tagon!Si divining her thoughts. suddenly
eprang forward, seized hei violently, aud
attempted to condne her hands and arms
in HE strong, roneh grasp.
Madeleine felt al her strength return.
ing, as If by magic, and up aud down the
na,d, ssnded floor they fought and s'rug-
gled for the mastery,
Life and death were in the balance,
and Madeleine at last, by a 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, aud blind
and dizzy with a nameless dread, the man
relaxed his hold and fell back, Madeleine
hresthed 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! mamma" cried Adrieune. at
the door of her room,
Madeleine's heart sank, The robber.
seeing his advantage, sprang toward the
bolted door Madeleine darted in front Of
him with trembling, uplifted hands, and
was again seized in his strong arms.
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 peck.
ct and offered il TO the robber
"Wil you stay where Won areT he
asked threateningly.
She bowed her head, unable 10 speak,
The man approached the cupboard. and
was slowly fitting the keys.
Mammal mammal cried the childish
voice, in louder tones,
"'rhat 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.
"0h, no, you will not hurt my baby, my
only onel You cannot be 80 wicked"
Then say to her, 60 to sleep. my child
am with your father"
"0h, no, you cannot mean IT." cried
Madeleine, horror. stricken at the idea.
"Then will quiet her.
"Stay, stay. May God forgive me; I
will say IT,"
BE quick, them" he lcried, 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 long, gasping sigh
Mamma! mammal Oh, mamma, come"
The cry broke the spell. Madeleine
sprang to her feet, crying, in hoarse.
forced tones:
"Go to Sieep, my child. I an nih yoar
| fatLcrH
Tie little feet were heard patterng ou
| the hard floor; then all was still. Made.
leine sat, half-iainting, on her low chair,
terrified at the sound Of her own words,
and the rob6er carefully emptied deep
pocket in his cont, and secured Madeleines
box in the depths. That done, he again
approached his trembling victim,
"You have lived in the Chateau d'Au.
bretoti"
~ have" Madeleine faltered,
There are valuables concealed there,
Which room are they in7"
~ do not know"
"Will you swear 1t 7"