Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-09-26
0 lose. Pm sure the house will be

Whitney that had a pistol" she
thought.
Nolamps were lighted, and thegirls
kept their ears on the alertto catch any
sound.
"They are on the porch" whisper
ed Dollie, fortunately the house is
not large and can be more easily
guarded"
The windows were the first point of
attack.
Theparlor shutters were turned and
a hand thrust through. The window
would next have been broken, when
suddenly pistol-shot rang on the air.
Dollie had aimed at the easement OPP
posite the hand and hit it squarely.
The enemy was evidently taken by
complete surprise by this movement,
and for long time all was still.
Jessie ran swiftly up the steps in
this interval and set the signal light
in the port-hole window.
"Watch on that side and / will
on this" was Dollie's command when
she returned, "and we may battle
them yet"
The crash of breaking glass at the
dining-room window, warned Jessie
that that point was being attacked,
and she hastily fired.
A terrible oath showed that some
mischief had been wrought by the
shot, and then all was still.
"There are three Of them," whisp-
cred Douglas, zone is up stairs guard
ing that point, and there is man
among 'em; Tests give it up Jack;
so much firing III bring people,"
"CowardW Kissed the other, 81
tell you I'll have some money Oh
de-"
Meantime, the yonng girls, sustain.
ed by the courage of desperation,
watched every loophole. A half-houl
of tense expectation elapsed.
"Ah, Jessie, who does not YOU
friend come" asked Dollie, in ar
agonized whisper, 81 can't hold out
much longer"
"They may have climbed the veran
ola, and turned window-sash w
stairs without our hearing. I'll slil
up and see."
ooh! Jessie, don't for heavens
sake. beg you not to co." said Dol
lie.
But it was too late. Jessie was al
ready speeding noiselessly up tn,
steps.
A struggling ray of light from tn,
: signal lamp in the hall window re
, vealed man in the room opposite rit
ling the drawers. His back was TOWARD
| her, but his every gesture was famil
: lar. Paralyzed for a moment by ter
J rOr she could not move. Then sh
flew forward to lock the burglar in
but at the sound he turned and fired
and she fell unconscious in the hall.
~ didn't mean to hurt the littl
| fool" he muttered, "but it couldn'
< be helped"
"Hist! some one is coming from tn
!, outside. I'll get out of this while
;. can. Little devils, they've delaye
\ and thwarted me after ALL"
S The sound of horses feet rapidly az
. preaching caused him to hasten; bu
n he was to late. Two men on foe
F.; were already in the yard, after tel
u rible scufie he was taken by then
y pinioned and led away.
"Open to friends" cried Fran
r Graves deep voice as he knocked 6
h the front door.
n Dollie, whose terror was almos
overpowered from hearing the firin
e above and the noise in the yard b,
l. low, dragged herself forward and Ill
y bolted the door, then fell fainting ;
It her rescuer's feet.
o She was lifted by strong arms, an
d when light was obtained was place
upon the sofa.
l. Franks surprise was great at Sc
y ing a strangers face upon the pillow
'e and he rushed to the foot of the stel
e and called out, "Jessie, where a.
you"
is No response came, and he "a
k swiftly up the steps to find the one l
l. sought lying in marble beauty on IL
n floor, while a red stream trickled
his feet.
ID "He has killed her!" he cried, ms
with despair, and lifting her tender
s. bore her to the light where he locke
re in wild haste for her wound.
he The pretty arm was all larceratt
le and torn, but no other hurt could