Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-10-08

lniu"'y ~. between the bedroom of the in
valid and the pantry. She openoditalittle
asked. '1 Ui'"'ne' sue
Yes yes, answered the rufiians. but
i was ,ne heavy breathing of Mrs. Stacy
III 'ue lott above that they heard.
i.au,a threw the door wide open; it
opened inward. The men saw dark
VOID and pressed eagerly forward. NOT
even stopping to throw the light of theil
lantern on the pllce.
AZ TINS instant Laura sprang back and
threw herself with all her force unon the
rear man and the next instant there wa.
a heaVy fall, a crash of the broken Ian.
'er" ',ua a yolley Of oaths, for both men
lay at the bottom of the cellar.
but the danger was not over by anv
means Laura knew that the men would
mount the ladder at once and there was
no way OF fastening the door; and, if
'ncIc mad been what lock would have
wltnsiood the power of two desperate
border ruffians1
~ rouse her aunt would be useless;
she could give no assistance. and So
Laura Sprang to the fireplace and caught
Loulss revolver from the rudo mortoI
while she offered prayer for courage
and strength.
one heard the deep curses of the vii
lains as they searched for the ladder and
the next instant head appeared above
the threshold. The candle threw faint
light on the scene, but it was enough to
enable Laura to see.
Back Y she cried; but the order was
not obeyed.
Inc robber raised his pistol, and Laura
knew that unless she fired at once she
was lost Arthur too.
with these thoughts flashing through
her mlnd she leyelled her deadly weapon
at the man, and as a sharp report went
ringing through the cabin, a d sep groan
ana the sound of a heavy fall came from
the cellar.
But the creaking Of the ladder showed
that the other robber was about to dare
his fate, and he appeared above the
threshold, pistol in hand. But Laura
was TOO quick for him. A second report
rang through the cabin, and again came
groan and the sound of heavy fall.
Tue brave girl. overcome at last, sank
to the floor just as her aunt came rushing
into the room, frightened almost out of
her senses, and the door of Arthur's
rooFs opened and he appeared, wan
sl.Ahost-like to inquire the cause Of
/! "A .4ss which had roused him from his
sep
Y. ''Grat heavens" he cried, as he saw
Laur erouching en- the floor. care you
hurt L ura, my darling, speak to mel
Are yu injured"
Pcnaps in that moment Of terror Ar
thur Iorris' heart was revealed to him,
and be knew he loved the niece of this
Arkansas hunter.
FNo, no." faltcred the girl, rousing
herself. 81 am not hurt. But l shot
two men in the celar-and-and"-
But she could go no further for her
eyes closed and she lost consciousness.
Perhaps Arthur's kisses were more eff
cacicus in restoring her than her aunt's
dippers Of cod water. But the faint
vas not very long one, and she was
soon able to tell the whole story Of the
assault.
Arthurs thanks were expressed as well
as his emotion would permit; but the
moisture of his dark blue eyes and the
ch nging Of his countenance told more
than any language could have done
what he felt.
TWAS decided to leave the bodies in
the cellar until morning; but at the first
gray sign Of day Laura mounted the
rough little pony and started for the
nearest town to ask help. Before the
day was over the whole settlement knew
Of the attack, and officers reached the
CABIN by noon. They were shown the
bodies, and at once pronounced them to
be those of two men who had filed the
country with alarm for years past, and
had committed several hanging offences.
hwas long before Laura entirely re-
covered from the effects of her midnight
adventure. Her nervous system had re-
celVed a severe shock, and for weeks her
dreams were haunted by the wicked
laces Of the dead Williams, and she
seemed to hear again their dying groans.
II was therefore, only natural that
Louis should give ready consent to his
nieceS marriage as soon as Arthur's
heath was entirely restored.
. there was quiet wedding in the
ca0l IN the early Summer, and the girl,
VINO bad truly earned her right to hel
husband, set out with him on a journey
70 a comfortable home within the Dor,
deH of civilization, where there was nc
aanger Of being murdered by border
desparadoes.
Black Chewing Gum.
Aa'eiy there has crept into the Detroit
ndlkRt q snhcAn.a.