Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-01-28
MechaOybwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday January 70, 1892

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the least bit frightened. She had kin
died up fire and was just sitting down
with a book when the door opened and
man entered. A single glance told
her that it was not her husband return.
ed, as she thought at first, for the IN
truder wore a mask of black cloth and
carried cooked revolver IN his hand.
Nettle's blood fairly troze as the unwel.
come guest advanced toward her.
There is u little roll of shinplasters
and l want it, he said. Go and get it
for me, there's DEAR
MY husband has 1t In his pocket, she
answered with a white, scared face, yet
still determined to keep the money out
of the burglars clutches if possible.
No, he hasn't my dear. lie went off
IN too big bury to think of anything.
It's in the bureau drawer now. Get it
for me else l shall be obliged to tie you
up and help myself.
Nettie's heart sank yet lower. The
robber evidently knew that Freeman
was away from home. and she was ut
terly in his power.
I suppose l may as we'll, as you know
all about it, she said, plan to outwit
him beginning to take shape in her
mind. Take the lamp and come on
by heavens, you're BRICK said the
villain, admiringly. as he obediently
picked up tue lamp and followed her
from the kitchen. Sorry to trouble
you, but must borrow that money a
little while, anyhow.
Nettie went straight up the stairs to
their chamber door, the ruf!ian follow
ing close behind her with the lamp,
revolver In hand. By the time they
reached it he was entirely off his guard.
The door swung inward, and Nettie
turned 1t on its hinges as quietly as if
she were about to retire, instead OF be-
Ing IN deadly danger. But as the door
swung open she gave a sudden spring
through it, banged it shut in the rob.
ber's face with a violence that extin-
guished the light, and turned the key
in the lock.
With muttered curse the fellow be.
gan fumEling in his pockets for match.
es to reIight the lamp, thinking draft
had closed the door. Failing to find
any he essayed to open it, only to find
it fast. When the burglar realized the
trick that had been played upon him he
was furious.
Open the door. you she devil he
cried, as he pounded violently upon it.
Open the door, or l will burst it open
and kill you like rat in hole.
There was no response. Nettie knew
the door would stop the robber for only
moment, 40 she made the most Of her
time. Snatching her husbands pocket
book from the drawer she hastily thrust
it into her bosom chen she darted to
the window and threw it open.
A huge apple tree grew close to the
house, and the great branches of it
swept the roof. Mrs. Nettle had been
perfect hoyden IN her girlhood, so 1t
was only an instant till she was among
the snowy bougbs. 1t was none to
soon, for the robber was already at the
window.
Come back, curse you" he cried !:
come back, or III put bullet through
YOU
Nettle on Y answer was frantic Ell
fort to get through the tree top to the
ground. She did not think the burg
lar could see her, and the wind howled
so she had little fear of his hitting her
If he went by sound and shot at ran
dom. So she set her little white teeth
firmly together and recklessly clamb-
cred downward, determined to keep the
pocketbook in her own possession or die
IN irs defense.
Hanged if she isn't too plucky to
shoot muttered the robber I'll have
to follow her. or she'll slip me,
money and all, before can 60 down
stairs and around the house. So here
goes.
A great crashing in the branches i'll
formed Mrs Nettle of his movements,
and spurred her to yet greater efforts.
Reaching the bottom limbs she grasped
one firmly. swung herself downward
and dropped unhurt into the drift be-
meath. There Wa, only one thing to
think of-flight. Bareheaded as she
was, she stumbled on out into the road
and started after her husband.
There was no sound OF pursuit as she
fled, but as her tensely strung nerves
began to relax she grew nearly frantic
with terror, and blindly staggered on
ward against the storm. At first she
scarcely noticed the cold or the drifting