Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-12-06
eahe Oldest and Largest Gel
d Establishment il
.ower for Cash and on easie


apd the next step would be robbery,
.efhaps murder.
Ths villain replaced the vial in his
packet, with a grin on his ugly face.
sThere p he calculated, "that viii
york. With the old woman cut of the
Fay, the rest is easy. Lucky that l
know where to look for the money it's
II the oil woman's room, ! saw the gal
put i fthese. Let me see, right hand
Agaer top drawer in dressing table.
vsIt fashed over me then, my own
carcl sssncss, when father had given the
pockeIboolx into my keeping; the open
window near us, and some gay words
that had uttered, all came back to me-
] was so frightened, it seemed as if
| should die. Then calmer thoughts
succeeded; and / resolved to e ht for
that money TO the death. Softly | stole
away, and re-entered my mothers
apartment. Taking the pockctbook
from the drawer hid it in my bosom;
and ihcn, p using, to assure myself
that she still slept, / turned to the hall
where our small provision Of fire arms
were stored Of, heavensl Taey were
gonel A low, horrible chucklc fell
upon my ears. The robber stood at
my side, look of trium ph on his haze
full face.
WELL he snocrel boldly, "where
is it9'
"What do you meant" I Iga,ped.
"The money, of cour,e. I've just
been to the old woman's room, but
find youy3 beca too -nfsny FOR me.
Now, girl he stepped closer to
me and raisel one hanl threatoniugly;
his awful eyes glarei into mine; his
lips, as they opened, resemb'cd those of
some huge wild animal. Il know you
have the money; hand it olt!'
With low crJ of fear l turned and
fled. B OK to the large, old kitchen,
my heart surging and bea ing madly,
flew like the wind. Old Dinah still
lay upon the floor in blest unconsciou,-
ness. shook her and callel aloud
and shriekel for hep, but nc other
sounl broke the stiffness save the low,
dread full laugh of the robber, who had
followed me.
''stop that noise3' he growled.,
You're wasting breath, you know.
) els drugged, and won't wake till Pm
sale out o this. l want that money.
GIVE 1t to me and promise to leave
you in peace; refuse, and"
l thought of Ffank and our future.
u never wilr' criel, as bravely as
could. Again, that horrible, mock
ing laugh. He sprang forward and
seized my arm; one hand passed around
my waist and held me- tightly, the
other prepared to close about my throat.
just at that moment my eyes fell upon
ihe huge brick oven; something IN
known in these days, Bessie; an i'm
mease structure occupying one side of
the kitchen. noticsl that the wide
do0r had been left open, and a sudden
'hought-an inspiration-darted into
my mind. 1t was worth risking at all
events.
The williams hand was pressing closer
about my slender throat; felt dread
tut choking sensation. Twas sure that
should die. Now-or never-I
thrust one hand, quickly, into the
bosom of my dress, and snatching the
pocKet-book thcrefr1m with quick,
suloen movement | threw it into the
ofea-away in-I could hear it fall
upon the bottom. with a heavy thud,
ior most of the money wa, in goll.
WIN horrible impr.eation the wretch
released his hold, and, dart:ng forward,
sp'ang into the oven. darted toward
'os huge door. / seized it in both