The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-06-14

'aXle-tree broke, ana every thing went
to thunder"
"Well, you'll got your house filled to-
night, II you're the landlord of the
place back yonder," said the stranger.
"Any gentleman here that would like
to go on to Raybury? We would take
one down"
stepped quickly forward, and said
should be greatly indebted If they
would give me seat. And then l in
troduced myself-Henry Marsh.
And here's young woman as is go
ing, too" said the landlord; "her pas
sick, and she must git there, and /
wouldn't think of having Digby out on
account of Mrs. Griggs uncertain
health. s-Miss-what's your name,
my dear?''
"Axtell," said the girl, "NTadeline
Axtell. My father is Howard Axtell,
of the Raybury bank
The president OF the bank for which
worked. ] knew Judge Axtell very
we'll, and was able to tell Miss Made
line that his illness was not considered
dangerous. But still she insisted upon
going on, and at last, after some con-
SlutIuDlC COiNcISulloH DCuNCtl Jllt JNO
strangers, inaudible to us, they consent
ed to take us both.
l assisted Miss Axtell into the car
riage and took with her the back seat,
our companions occupying the front.
Only one lamp of the carriage was
burning, and that gave very dim light,
and the farther we went the deeper
seemed to grow the darkness. 1t was
lonely road at any time to Raybury,
but now it was particularly gloomy. and
| was confident that Miss Axtell showed
to some degree the vague forebodings
which | could not prevent myself from
experiencing, for she drew closer to me,
and once she asked me how long it
would be before we reached Monville-
the next village.
We came at last to IIemlock reach-a
long stretch of timber which interSected
the country at that point. and was some
three miles wide. There was not house
for the whole three miles, and both sides
of the road were wooded almost to the
wheel rut.
AS the horse plunged into the black
ness of the place and painted ana strug-
gled through the mud under foot
was confident that the two men spoke
together in subdued whispers, and
that | distinctly caught the words:
ID tho girl" and "Fifty-fve hun
dred"
grew cold with dismay. Fifty-fvc
hundred dollars was just the amount |
had about me, and it seemed very pos
siblc that these fellows had got informa-
ton to that effect, and that | was to be
murdered. If L had
been alone | should have felt no fear,
for | am naturally what is called dare
devil sort of fellow. and | had conf |
tence in my courage and strength, as
we'll as in the pair of trusty revolvers l
carried in my breast-pocket.
But Miss AXtcll? What would be-
come of her? If they conquered me she
would be wholly in their power, and if
they were what took them to be-then
God help her!
We had travelled about half the dis
tancc through tine woods when the
horses were stopped abruptly, and one
Of the men rose up in his sc at and faced
us.
Miss Axtell graspcd my arm, and
knew that she was terrified by tho
quick way in which her breath came
but she did not cry out, as most women |
would have done.
There is no need of mincing mat
,ers," said the man, with admirable
,oolness, "and / will come to the point
1t once. You have S5, 800 in your pos
session, and my friend here and myself |
ire in want of it. We planned the ac-
,ident to the stage by saving the axle
lalf in two, and we happened along ex-
oressly to take you down to Rayhury.
The lady we did not reckon upon, but |
:ould not well be ungallant enough to
'efuse so much beauty in distress. And
low the question is, will you or will you
lot give us this money!"
Most decidedly will not" was the
eplv.
Then wo must use force" said the
nan, land | warn you now that i will
murder you before l will allow you tc
escape with the money! Give it up
and l pledge you my honor
hat both yourself and the lady shall
,e left at the next village, safe and un-
nolested."
81 will never give up cent of the
said l, feeling my Indignation
Use at the scoundrel's coolness; mot
,ent OF it, unless it is taken from my
lead body"
AS spoke, the man flung off his coat
md seized mo by the shoulder. Quick
IS thought leaped out of the carriage.
lragging him with me. and then began
he struggle.
Don't use the pistols" said the vii
ain who was taking caro- OF the horses;
they would be heard too far; knife
lim il you have got to stop his wind"
My antagonist was powerfully-built
elbow and exceedingly strong, but l
vas 1.-the and athletic, and we were
'ery nearly matched. Over and over
We rolled in the mud, sometimes one
raining an advantage, sometimes the
'ther, but neither giving up the st:ug-
lie. Once had him by tho throat, and
lis gurgling cry for help brought the
'thcr man to the spot.
Two against one was rather fearful
dds, but felt no disposition to yield.
They beat me and crushed me with
heir weight, but they never once sue
ecded in pinioning my hands, and /
latter myself that / gave them some
lows that they felt sensibly, to say the
east
But after time felt my strength
living way, and knew that could not
lold out much longer. How Miss
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