Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-09-29
A WOMAN'S BRAVERY.
A STORY OF THE FRONTIER.

As soon as the frost was out OF the
ground and there was no danger of being
storm bound, Louis Stacy left his little
home in Arkansas to 20 down the river
with boat load of furs and skins.
He expected to bring back supply of
provisions for spring and summer use, as
we'll 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 abb
scncc; 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 strange face; and then, too,
both women were accustomed to tho use
of firearms, and Louis knew that they
would not hesitate to employ them if
necessary.
Just at this time 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 dclirium had followed Ar
thur Morris's accident and he had been
confined in the cabin six weeks, being
now in q convalcscent state. lie said he
was well off in this worlds goods and
told Laura Stacy when he first met hcl
that he wore a monoy-bclt about hi
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 littlt
cabin, which Mrs. Stacy and Laura haC
managed to make comfortable and home
like after much trouble and with many
| ingenious
Much of Mrs. Stacys time was spcn
with Arthur Morris, who grew restless
and fevcrish If left alone. Laura, too
frequently read and talked to the inva
lid, unconscious that his handsome, worl
face and dark eyes had caused a NOR,
tender feeling than compassion to find
place in her heart.
The cabin consisted of three rooms OF
the ground floor--a main room, used 70
cooking, eating and general purposes;
bed room, and small room used as
pantry.
Beneath was deep cellar, where pro
visions were kept in the summer, an'
even in the winter, for frost never en-
tered the deep hole Louis Stacy had dug
Above was a loft, reached by ladde
from the pantry, and here the tw
women slept, giving their sick que:
the pleasant room on the first floor.
1t was nearly midnight of the fifth da
of Louis absence when Laura was rouse
by hearing q noise ut the door of tn
cabin. Not disturbing her aunt, VIII
was sleeping heavily, worn out by watch
ing with the invalid the previous nigh
the brave girl hastily threw on he
clothes and descended the ladder just ;
the door of tho main room opened an
two men, in bare feet, entered, carry
ing lantern.
They started little at seeing Laur
standing silent and motionlcss, with
lighted candle in her hand.
One of them, tall, burly fellow, wit
an evil eye, advanced toward her al
shook his fist in her face.
"spcak one word above whisper"
said, "and will put II bullet throul
your brainl" flourishing huge rCvolv
as he spoke.
Laura knew that If she disobcycd Il
command the threat would be carri,
into execution; and, recovering from b
terror, she asked the men in an untaltt
ing voice what they wanted.
"We want that money-belt on t
stranger you have here" was the repl
in a hoarsc whisper ave know
about it, SO you needn't lie to us. T
us where he is, and be quick about it.
"surely you wonld not rob a 81
MANI" said Laura, trying to gain til
and think what was best to do in Il
terrible emergency. "It would SURF
kill him to be reused in such bru
manner"
"We won't give him chance to speak
growled the man who held the lantcl
: "He'll never know what hurt hi
, Hurry up, girl, we're wasting time.
/. he up in the loft2" Laura turned dea
U " pale. In that terrible moment :
realized how dear to her Arthur MOI
u had become, and she resolved to save
life even If she should have to sacrlt
her own.