The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-10-01

y
come ?" asked Doilie, in an agonized
whisper, Il can't hold out much
longer"
"They may have climbed the veran-
da, and turned window-catch up
stairs without our hearing. I'll slip up
and see."
"Oh! Jessie, don't, for heavens sake
beg you not to CO." said Dollie.
But it was too late. Jessie was al
ready speeding nolselessly up the
steps.
A struggling ray of light from the
signal lamp in the hall window re-
vealed man in the room opposite riff
ling the drawers. His back was toward
her, but his every gesture was familiar.
ParalyZed for moment by terror she
could not moved Then she flew for
ward to lock the burglar in; but at the
sound he turned and fired, and she fell
unconscious in the hall.
II didn't mean to hurt the little fool"
he muttered, shut it couldn't be
helped"
"Hist some one is coming from the
outside. I'll get out of this while can.
Little devils, they've delayed and
thwarted me after ALL.
The sound of horses feet rapidly APP
preaching caused him to hasten; but he
was too late. Two men on foot were
already in the yard, and after terrible
scutfie he was taken by them, pinioned
and led away.
"Open to friends" cried Frank
Graves deep voice as he knocked at
the front door.
Dollie, whose terror was almost
overpowering from hearing the firing
above and the noise in the yard below,
dragged herself forward and unbolted
the door, then fell fainting at her
rescuer's feet.
She was lifted by strong arms, and
when light was obtained was placed
upon the sofa.
Franks surprise was great at seeing
strangers face upon the pillow, and
he rushed to the foot of the steps and
called out, Jessie, where are you?"
No response came, and he ran swiftly
up the steps to find the one he sought
lying in marble beauty on the floor,
while red stream trickled to his feet.
"He has killed herl" he cried, mad
with despair, and lifting her tenderly
bore her to the light where he looked
in wild haste for her wound.
The pretty arm was all larcerated
and torn, but no other hurt could be
discovered
With great sigh of relief he placed
her on the bed, and sent one of the men
for physician.
In the meantime poor, wilted little
Dollie returned to consciousness cry
ing out, Where is Jessie?" She was
tenderly soothed, and was soon able to
give an account of the terrible seige
they had sustained.
No words would depict the regret
and amazement of Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes,
when they had returned, at what had
occurred, nor express their deep graft
tude to Frank Graves and those he had
brought to the rescue.
Father and / came home very late"
Frank said, "or we would have relieved
the poor girls at least half hour ear
her."
"And to think" cried Mrs. Barnes
in horror, that the villain who at
tackled them, and shot our child, was
the man we have treated as friend
and relative for weeks. We learned
part of his perfdy in Stanton to-day,
but did not dream the whole"
IF you had been here alone, he
would have made way with you, have
no doubt" said her husband, with
shudder.
Brave girls" cried Frank enthusi-
astically, "their pluck and persever-
ance is worthy of medal. L can never
be thankful enough that gave Jessie
that little pistol, and taught her to
shoot"
Dollie soon recovered from her
fright, and in day or two was as
bright and sunshiny as ever. But
though Jessie's wound was slight and
grew rapidly better, she seemed to
droop as the days went on.
Frank called every morning, but
after brief inquiry as to her health,
devoted himself exclusively to Dollie.
They sang duets together, while
Jessie lay listening; they took horse
back rides where, from the window,
she could see them start; they brought
her flowers they had plucked together.
"They were very kind, of course"
poor Jessie said to herself, petulantly,
"but why should they do everything
together"
Frank had never seemed so manly to
her, nor so handsome. His voice had
never been so rich and full, nor his
manner so filled with strength and
tenderness as when she saw him with
Dollie.
She felt Inundated at what she i'm
agined his opinion of her to be. "He
holds my weakness in contempt, L
know" she often thought, "and can
never really respect me again." which
thought bore for her far more bitter
ness than the remembrance of her rude
awakening.
One day, however, sudden change
was wrought in her, both mentally and
physically. 1t was brought about
through a short conversation.
"To think" said Dollie, Indignantly,
one morning, "that that rascal should
have pretended to be corresponding
clerk in the bank at Stanton; why,
JESSIE" with blush and drop of the
pretty head, Il am engaged to the cor
responding clerk in the bank at Stan
ton myself, and assure you he is very