Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-11-28

the distance, and then looked Anxious-
~ after her infant elnissary. The little
messenger held ON his way unuarmcd,
however; and she thought to herself
that the alarm was y false Que, raised
to excite her fears, aud overcome her
resolution. Just, however, as the
child reached a hollow spot in the next
Geld-the channel of a natural drain.
then dry with tho heats of summer
she saw another rufian start I'D from
the bed of the drain, and catching him
in his arms, hasten toward tho mill, in
accordance with the directions of his
accomplice. In u moment she per-
ccived her danger, and in y moment
more she formed her future plan of
proceeding. R~clreatiug into The mill,
she doubly locked aud Dolted tho door
the only apparent entrance to the
cditlcc. every other means OF obvious
access to the interior being barred by
means of strong iron gratiMgs fixed
against all the windows; and ,hou
took her post at an upper easement,
determined TO await patiently either
her masters return, and her oonse-
quent delivery from that dangerous
position, or her own death. if it were
inevitable.
Never" said she to herself. "ncvcr
shall! | leave my masters house a prey
to such villains, or permit his property
to bc carried of Ocfore my eyes by
them, while I have life and strength
to defend it,"
Sac had barely time to secure hor-
self within. when the rufian from With
OUT. holding tho haploss child in one
hand. and y long sharp knife in the
other. assailol the door with kicks,
and curses, aud imprecations of tho
most dreadful character.
"Confouud thce!." lie cried, apply
ing the fcu!cst epithc.s OF which the
frce-spcaking ycutonic languages are
so copious; ''open the door, or I'll
break it in on ye!'
III you can, You may" was I'LL The
noblc girl replied. 'God is greater
than you. ard in him | pu, my trust"
Cut the brat's throat roarei the
imprisoned ruiim above; ..thut will
bring her 10 reason"
S%tout-hearted rs rooy Hanncheu
was. she quailcd at this crue! sngges-
ton. For II moment her resolution
wavered; but it was only for a mo-
ment Sac saw that her own death
WAS certain tSdo admitted the assSi.-
ant, and she knew that her master
would bc robbed. She had no reason
to hope that even tho life OF the in
FAINT would DO spared hy her compli-
anoe. 1t was 10 risk ri. against moth
ing. Like - discreet girl. sho cons.-
qucnt!y held fas, i'll her resolve to
abide as she was while life remained,
OF until assistance could reach her.
IAN ye open not tho door, shouted
the villain from without, accompany.
ing his words with the vi!cs. abuse,
and the htrcest ~inprecations, IN
hack this waclp's limbs to pieces with
my kuifc, and then burn the mill over
your heMi. Twill! b. II merry blaze, l
trow."
II put my trust i'll Cod" replied tho
daunt!css girl; ''nover shall 30 sot foot
within these walls whilst have lie 10
prevent yc."
The rufla laid the infant for a mo-
ment on the sward rs he sought about
for c%ombustiblcs whercwith to execute
his latter threat. In this search he es-
pied. perhaps, the only possible clan
destine entrance to the building. 1t
was q large aperture in the wall, com.
municat,n2 with tho groat wheel and
tho othor machinery Of the mill. and
was u point entirely unprotected. for
the rcason that the simple occupants
had never supposed it feasible for any
one to seek admission through such II
dangerous inlet. Eia,ci with his dis
covcry, the rufkan returned 10 tho in
FAINT, and. tying the hands and feet Of
tho little innocent. threw il on tho
ground even as q butcher will fling y
lamb destined for the slaughter, to
await his time for Staying. He then
stole back to the aperture, By which
he hoped to effect an entrance. All
this was unseen by tho daunticss girl
within.
In the meantime her mind was bus
led with a thousand cogitations. She
clearly perceived that no means would
bc left untrieu to effect an entrance.
and she knew that on the exclusion of
her foe depended her own existence.
A thought struck her.
''lt is Sunday she said to herself;
''thc mill never works on the Sabbath;
suppose set it agoiny now? IL = be
seen afar off; and happy my master, or
some of his neishoors. wondering ut
the sight, may haston hithcr to know
the cause. A lucny thought. she cx-
claimed; ''tis God Sent it to met"
No sooner sand than done. Being all
her life accustomed to mlil-gear. it was
but the work Of a moment for err to
set tho machinery in motion. A brisk
breeze winch sprang up. rs it were by
q special intcrposition Of Providence,
Mt once set tho sails lying. The arms
OF the huge engine whirlcd round with
fearful rapidly; tho great wheel slow
~ rev0lved on its axle; the smaller
gear turned, and crcakcd, and groan.
cd. according as they ca,ne into action;
the mill was in full operation.
1t vas nj that very instant that the
rufian Diethor hal succeeded in
squeezing himself through tho apcr..
ure in the wall. and getting safely
lodged in tho interior OF the grca,
drum-whocl. His dismay. however,
was indescribab.c when Le began to be
whirled about with its rotation, and
found that all his efforts to put u stop
to the powerful machinery which set it
in motion. or to cxtricate himself from
his peri!ous situation. were fruitlcss.
His cries were most appalling; his
shricks were truly fearful; his curses
and im%precatioGs were horrible to hear.
Hannchan hastencd 70 the spot, aud
saw him caught, Ike the reptile as be
was, in his own trap. It need no. be
added that she did not libcratc him.
She knew that he would be nsore
frightened than hurt. if he kept within