Nevada County picayune., 1886-07-07

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 "Jennie, it lacks just one hour of midnight. You know my decis- ion. When will you marry me?"
 Utter silence followed this ques- ton.
 l am waiting for your answer" he said, at last.
 Il shall not hinder you from waiting" declared Jonnie, a ring of war in her tones.
 II shall wait no longer than-' There! that will do, You need wait no longer!"
 And here Jennie succeeded ill feeling very much abused, and al ter some sharp, bitter words-the usual vocabulary of a lovers quar- Iel-she angiily tore the engage ment ring from her fnger, and hauPhtily dismissed tho one who had dared to suggest that there might be such a thing as mems rights.
 He offered 10 remain in the house until morning, but she scorn- ed his proffered protection, and he could do nothing but leave her, saying:
 You will be sorry for this, Jcn. nie.'
 Il will call you back when I get sorry,' she said, lightly.
 And bidding her goodnight, he WAS gone.
 Then, and not till then, did she realize it all. Her anger and pride gave way to . sense of loneliness and regret as she recalled every word of the stormy interview and a nervous fear almost paralyzed her as she rose trenblingly to lock l the door behind nun.
 The ticking of the clock sound ed like the strokes on a black smith's anvil. A thrill of terror chilled her blood as q mouse scam- pered across the floor. Her little cold hand had barely reached the bolt, when-oh, horrOrs!-a deas. enins report somewhere at the back of the house, and no longer paralyzed in tongue or limb, with wild shrieks of terror, she bound ed up tue stairs
 "Oh, Sadie, Sadie." as another and another report sounded, 'some one is shooting through the back window!'
 Vigorous strokes on the bed room door aroused the sleeping mother and child.
 "Whnt is it' Oh, what is it?'' exclaimed the former, as Jennie fell almost fainting into tue room.
 "t.s firing! lis,cn-ther, was stIll another report sounded through the house.
 "Oh," screamed Sadie, ''it is-it is. Where is Mir. Maxwelli Call him."
 He is gonew walled poor Jen. nie, wringing her hands.
 "Gone? The scoundrell and left us to be murdered!'
 Ut wasn't his fault. 1 sent him away. Oh, what shall we doi The hall-door is unfastened-- there! l believe I hear some one coming up the stairs. No, it i' only my imagination Thank heaven, this door has double lock-
 By this time Sadie had q window open and was screaming murder at the top of her voice.
 "No ono will hear you but oul assassins!' walled Jennie, her voice almost drowned by the shrieks of the baby whose piping treble was piercing in the extreme
 "Let us sgt fire to the house. suggested the frantic young moth. CT. "Somebody may see the light and come 10 our rescue"
 "Oh, Sadie, that would meyer do.n The dinner bell in the yard can be heard over a mile. l will go out and ring it."
 Jennie had suddenly grown calm and brave. She felt that she was to blame for their unprotected situation, and the hope that her discarded lover might hear the bell, and come to their rescue. strengthened her limbs as she hur- ricd down the stairs, across the yard and seized the bell rope.
 The alarm rung out on the mid night air, and the vibrant tones seemed to promise protection.