Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-04

chairs against the locked door. me
rain was still falling heavily and the
night as black as ink. The mistress and
maid went to bed, and although worried
and anxious went to sleep.
After midnight Mamio found herself
awake, and bright light shining in the
room. She started up, and saw that it
was the moonlight. The storm had
cleared away ct last. She got up,
unable to compose herself Immediately,
and went to the window. The moon
was shining brightly. As she stood, look
ing at the peaceful scene before her she
saw away down the road, for it was
bright as day, several horsemen. twas
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 toward her house, and
IN reaching the cato came into the
yard. She was almost paralyzed with
fear. The truth flashed across her.
They must have learned that she was
,lone-that she had this money, and
they had come to get it. For moment
she was paralyzed. She remembered
Harry's last words: "You must guard
It with your life if necessary"
she ran to the sleeping Sarah and
wakcned her. She got down Harry's
rifle. The sleeping girl was soon thor
oughly awake, and she explained to her
their situation.
"It's the tramp that's done it"
"1he iramp2 No. Sarah, the key,
the key of the attic"
She flew up the stairs, unlocked the
paddock and opened the trap. The man
'prang up at the sound.
"Come. come with me-" His oWA
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.
az have large sum of money in the
house, and those men have come to get
it, thinking that am alone. If they
kill me that money must be guarded"
"What have you? pistols, shotguns?'
he whispered, taking in the whole sit
uatioD.
"Here is my husbands rifle. 1t is
loaded"
"Histl Where are they going tc
break IMP" The steps came boldly on
the piazza to the front door.
sect behind me. I will fire at the
first man who enters. How many lar
rels are there?"
"Six, all loaded"
every well. Keep this cane in your
hand for me. in case 1 need it."
There was no storming OF shutters.
They heard the key applied to the door
softly. 1t opened, and man followed
by two others confidently entered. Tie
first figure walked directly to the stairs.
He had taken but step when three
shots came in rapid succession. There
wasa heavy thud I; this man dropped and
the other two turned and fled. Sarah
ran to the window and two horses
galloped down the lane.
"Don't faint, madam; there is work
yet to do" said the tramp.
Mamie caught hold Of the rail for sup
port, and then went into the room.
sect a candle, Sarah"
They lighted candle and gave it t.
the tramp, who went down stairs, thu
two women following with brandy ant
ammonia. The man had fallen back
ward, and lay with his face up and heaG
toward the door.
"AhaI" said the tramp, curiously,
holding the light up and peering into
the dead mans face, "he's fixed. Sho
through the head"
Mamie advanced and gazed at the
white face, across which q thin thread
like stream OF blood was trickling. Sh'
fell back with wild shrek.
1t was her husbands dead body which
lay before her.-Ne,o York Wprld.