Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-10-08
A WOMAN'S BRAVERY.
A STORY or THE FRONTIER.

A STORY or THE FRONTIER.
As soon as the frost was out Of the
ground and there was no danger of being
torm-bound, Louis Stacy left his little
home in Arkansas to 90 down the river
with boat-load of furs and skins.
lie expected to bring back a supply Of
provisions for spring and summer use, as
well as tidy little sum of money as a
reward for his labor during the winter
in trapping and hunting.
He left his wife and niece without
even the shadow Of forcboding Of
harm coming to them during his alb
senco; for, living as they did, twelve
miles from the nearest town, and remote
from the road taken by travellers and
tramps, they had few visitors, and SCI
dom saw a strange face; and then too,
both women were accustomed to the use
Of firearms, and Louis knew that they
would not hesitate to employ them if
necessary.
Just at this time a stranger was lying
i'll in the hunters cabin-a young man
who had accidentally shot himself while
hunting in the woods, and to whom
Louis had willingly given shelter and
every attention.
Fever and delifium had fvitvss cd. AAa..
thur Morris's accident and he had been
confined in the cabin six weeks, being
now in a convalescent state. He said he
was well off in this worlds goods and
told Laura Stacy when he first met her
that he wore money-bet about his
waist and begged that it might remain
there, no matter how ill he became.
Louis had been gone several days and
life had gone on as usual in the little
cabin, which Mrs Stacy and Laura had
managed to make comfortable and home
like after much trouble and with many
ingenious cOntrlVaDCeS.
Much Of Mrs. Stacy's time was spent
with Arthur Morris, who grew restless
and fcverish if left alone. Laura, too,
frequently read and talked 10 the inya-
lid, unconscious that his handsome, worn
face and dark eyes had caused a more
tender feeling than compassion to find a
place in her heart.
The cabin consisted of three rooms on
the ground floor-a main room, used for
cooking, eating and general purposes; a
bed room, and small room, used as a
pantry.
Beneath was a deep cellar, where pro-
visions were kept in the summer, and
even in the winter, for frost never en-
tered the deep hole Louis Stacy had dug.
Above was a loft, reached by ladder
from the pantry, and here the two
women slept, giving their sick guest
the pleasant room ON the first floor.
1t was nearly midnight of the fifth day
Of Louis absence when Laura was reused
by hearing a noise at the door of the
cabin. Not disturbing her aunt, who
was sleeping heavily, worn out by watch
ing with the invalid the previous night,
the brave girl hastily threw on her
clothes and descended the ladder just as
the door of the main room opened and
two men, in bare feet, entered carry
ing a lantern.
They started little at seeing Laura,
standing silent and motionless, with
lighted candle in her hand
One of them, 4 tall, burly fellow, with
an evil eye, advanced toward her and
shook his fist in her face.
"Speak one word above whisper" he
said, 'and l will put a bullet through
your brainr' fourishing q huge revolver
as he spoke.
Laura knew that if she disobeyed the
command the threat would be carried
into execution; and, recovering from hel
terror, she asked the men in an unfalter
ing voice what they wanted.
''We want that money-belt or tn
stranger you have here, ;" was the reply
in hoarse whisper. ave know al
about it, so you needn't lie to us. Tel
US where he is, and be quick about it. /"
"Surely you wonld not rob sicl
man" said Laura, trying to gain tim
and think what was best to do in thi
terrible emergency. ''It would surel,
kill him to be reused in such bruta
manner"
''We won't give him a chance to speak,
growled the man who held the lantern
'fHe'll never know what hurt him
Hurry up, girl, we're wasting time.
he up in the loftf' Laura turned death
ly pale. In that terrible moment sh
realized how dear to her Arthur Morri
had become, and she resolved to save hi
life even if she should have to sacriiie
hsT eWR,