The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-03-30
a woMAN's COURAGE.

WO RillS I'D tnelf HIRnLBoWpsJ SftLinB
Turk fashion on rug in front Of glow
ing fire A very common place picture,
perhaps; but one of the girls was exceed
ingly pretty, and both were rather ner-
vous at being left alone in the house.
Susie Kirkpatrick's big brown eyes were
bigger than usual as she looked at her
cousin Nicely, and said:
II think Brian might have come home
tonight! He knew we should be all
alone
81 don't suppose be thought anything
about it,, observed Nicely Blanchard.
Besides, if he couldn't come, be couldn't.
and there's an end of it, Do you you feel
afraid, Sue?"
"No-o not exactly; but | am almost
SIRE heard some one walking around the
house after supper"
ooh, guess mott"
eyes, did am glad we came in here
to sleep, Nicely. There's pistol in that
wardrobe, on the top shelf. Brian always
keeps it there It's loaded, too. +"
Nelly got up and opened the door with
extreme caution.
Il don't know, she said, with laugh,
'but that should be more afraid of the
pistol than should of a robber But see
here, Sue! Here's an old oyercoat and hat
of Brian's. Don't you think it would be a
good idea to hang them on the rack in the
ha1las a snrf of coa raornyy you know .
know lady who always keeps couple
of old hats hanging in the hall 70 make
folks believe there are men in the house. y
''That good idea," Susie assented,
hat and started downstairs with them
"You'll get your death of cold?' she
called over the banisters, as Nicely de-
seconded to the lower hall in her bare feet
But by this time the hat and coat were
being hung on the rack in conspicuous
position. Nicely took in the effect with
evident satisfaction, and had just turned
to go upstairs when she heard light step
in the vestibule and some one fumbling at
the door. 1t was serging towards mid
night, ald some one was trying to get into
the house.
Neely's heart gave one wild throb Of
terror, and she dashed upstairs three steps
at bound. Susie she gasped as she
burst into Brian's room and locked the
door after her, there's a mana robber-
trying to get in at the front door?"
In confirmation of this awful snrmise,
there was a mans step in the lower hall
a faint and muffled step, as of one moving
about with extreme caution but still un-
mistakably step.
Susi5's face blanched; but, like many
girl who is naturally timid in the pres
ence Of real danger Neely grew suddenly
brave. She heard the step in the dining
room, and though of all the silver.
what shall we do" Susie gasped
Il will brighten him away" Nelly ex-
claimed, springing towards the wardrobe,
which was still open, aud before her terri
fed cousin could divine her purpose, she
had snatched down an old suit of Brian's
and begun to put it on
In moment or two she had arrayed her
self in masculine attire, pulled an old cap
over her head, aud tucked her long hair
under the coat collar. Then she took the
loaded pistol in her hand and vent towards
the door.
'You won't go down stairs, Neely?"
Susie cried in transport of terror. He
will kill your
''Hush!" Nicely whispered, as she softly
undid the door and slipped out into the
hall. 'You call over the banisters in
gruff voice: That pistols loaded, Tom
Here, give me that pair of boots-quick!"
Nicely her cousin whispered, clinging
to her arm as she started downstairs with
a heavy tread. don't go"
"Hush! Call--call!"
''That pistols loaded, Nelly" said a
very sllaky voice over the banisters, and
then the young heroine went stamping
downstairs as though sha were giant in
seven-league boots.
At the foot of the stairs she paused a
moment, and, to her horror, she saw the
audacious house breaker standing IN the
dining room under full glare of gasight
coolly helping himself to glass Of water
from the pitcher on the sideboard.
Nicely didn't know what to do in that
aw full moment but shoot him, so she raised
the pistol and pulled the trigger.
Alas for her aim, Like many weapons
which have been loaded long time, the
pistol wouldn't go off at the first attempt.
She tried it again, with no better result,
and fortunately for the robber, he turned
round just as she was abont to make
third attempt.
With one bound he sprang forward and
knocked the weapon out of her hand. The
hammer struck with considerable force
upon the floor, and the pistol really did go
off. but the ball did no damage save by
ploughing furrow along the wall.
There was scream and a heavy fall on
the upper landing, though, and Nicely felt
sure she had in some mysterious way man
aged to shoot her cousin Susie.
ssLet me gol" she cried franticslly,
in the grasp of strong, stall
wart fellow, who seemed to have sinews