The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-01-22

one from harm.
Mary. by the side of her boy had
fallen asleep; she had thought to re-
main awake until John might possibly
come, but sleep overcame her.
From pleasant dreams she was sud-
denly awakened by step upon the
porch. Her first thought was of Johu.
''Who is therc?" she cried.
''No matter who" was the reply:
"open the door"
II shall not"
"There is no man in the house.
know, aud | shall break it in.
The answer 10 this speech was the
report of rifle, and the ruflian gave
a cry of pain as the bullet cut his arm.
Man or no man. Mary Fernald. thanks
to Johns instructions. could defend
herself when necessity came. Present
" the rapid steps of Il galloping horse
were heard going down the hill.
Thank heaven that | have not
killed him." were Mary's first words;
1T would be awful to have the door
stone of our home stained with blood,
even though justly she'd. l should
have aimed lower she added as she
looked at the bulet-hole in the red
wood panel. just breast-high.
He may come back with othersn'
Mary Fernald knelt beside her baby.
who already slept. though awakened
by the familiar sound OF the rifle, ana
prayed for strength.
1t was too late, she knew, for John
to come that night. and she thought
how happy would be their greeting in
the morning when she would fall safe
into his strong arms.
Several times she heard sounds which
startled her, and even the wind. which
moved the madrona branches against
the roof, caused her to shudder.
The sound of horses tramping on the
San Juan road startled her once, and
later the unmistakable crcaking of the
garden gate, followed by stealthy
movement upon the porch, less sug-
gesting that of man than that of some
large. wild animal.
Presently the door shook rs if it
would break from its hinges rs the
heavy body pushed against it. Mary
stared with terror, holding the rifle
aimed at the lower panel. A second
assault followed, accompanied by a
low. cultural sound-half Kissing.
Sharp and quick rung out the rifle
again. The house seemed to shake.
From the door came Il cry half-human.
awful to hear in its agony. Mary fell
upon her knees, covering her face in
the clothes beside the frightened, wall
ing little John.
oh, what will John think when he
comes in the morning? l must meet
him down the road by the willows to
spare him the fright"
The sun shines rs warm on San
Benito hills to-day rs it did that morn
ing when Mary Fernald rose from her
prayers to 90 down the road to meet
her loving John.
The awful and unknown object which
lay on the porch must be passed, but
she was nerved to open the door when
she thought of Johns fright when he
should find what had occurred and not
see her first
Yes, how brave be will call me.
He will call me his little home guard"
The door turned into the kitchen;
she stood irresolutely for one moment
and then opened it.
Mary stood rs petrified at the door
- Oh. God in heaven! | can scarce
bring my pen to write.
With that one glance went out for.
ever her love. her soul, her God She
fell upon.the threshold with moan.
Bound and gagged, John Fernald
had crawled to his door over the rough,
sharp stones, and there upon the
porch lay in his eternal rest with Il
bullet through his heart Arg0naW.