Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-30

ing such precious lives and names in the defense of n government official who had been so wreckless as to part with his guard and put himself and his funds in such predicament? From the oth- CT room, in which the major now lay, feebly moaning, no word of remon- strance came. Even in their extremity, then, tho soldiers of the government would not urge that he stay and en- counter further peril in their defense. One of the drugged troopers was begin ming to regain some atom of sense, and sitting up was miserably asking what had happened, what was the matter now.
 "Go and abuse water over your d-d worthless head, Mullan, he heard the sergeant say. So Feeny was evidently alert as ever and must havo heard the proposition from without. At his feet, huddled close to the floor where the thick smoke was least distressing, Fan ny and Ruth still clung to one another, the latter trembling at the sound of the voice from without. But Fanny had quickly, eagerly, raised her head to lis ten. For a moment no reply was z.lade. Then came the impatient query liar vey, do ycu hear? You have no time to lose. You have but minute in which to answer"
 "Major, " he burst forth at last in an agony of doubt, "you hear what they say, you sec how am fixed. If were here alone, you would never need to ask my services-rd fight with you to the bitter end-but think of my father, my mother, if anything befall my sisters. Can nothing be done?"
 From the lips of the stricken paymas- ter there came only a groan in reply.
 "I fear he cannot hold out long, Mir. Harvey" muttered the clerk. II doubt if he heard or understood you"
 Well, why not let them have the safe if they'll guarantee that that is all they want? How much have you theref I feel sure my father would make it good"
 There's over S25, 900, MT. Harvey"
 Well, if it was only 25 cents, Mir. Ned Harvey, all I've got to say is devil a wan of them would they get so long as I could load shot or pull trigger. Go you, if you will. Take the leddies by all means if you think it safer, but before I'd trust the wan sister l ever had-God rest her soul-to the prom ise of any such blac&guard party as this, I'd bury my knife in her throat. "
 An awful stiffness followed Feeny's words. For an instant there was no sound but quick beating hearts, the mutterings and complainings of poor Mullan, staggering about in search of his carbiue, the quickened breath and NE N1I Then again came the loud hail from without:
 "Once more, Ned Harvey, will you come out and be saved or stay there and roast? Surrender now and you TO all right; but, by the God of heaven, if you refuse it's the last chance for you or those you were fool enough to bring here. Think for your sisters. man. There's no hopo for one of you if you delay another minute.
 And then it was woInan's voice, tremulous but clear.
 Ned, wasn't it to save us that Major Hummer sent his men? Wasn't it for our sake he gave up all his escort?"
 Tt was, Fan, yes-at least he thought so."
 And now you would desert him, would you? Leave him to be murdered by these robbers. the worst gang we ever had or heard of? say you shall not. for one will not go into their hands. Ruth cannot go without me. Stay and fight it out, Ned, or you re not your fathers son."
 Fan! Fan! you're a trump! God bless your brave heart" cried Harvey. t~ .-Af lao, sponsibility was more than l could bear"
 May the saints in heaven smile on your purity face for all eternity!'' nut tered Feeny in a rapture of delight. "The young teddy is right, Mir. liar vey, though it wasn't for me to say it. Shure you can't trust those scoundrels, They'd stab ye in the back, sir, and rob you of your pretty sisters and drag them away before your dying eyes. That man Pasqual is a devil, sir, nothing less. Shure we'll fight till rescue comes, for come it will. tell you the boys are spurring toward us, h-n to split, from every side now, and we'll whale these scoundrels yet.
 Then from without came the final hail:
 What answer, Harvey: Now or never"
 "Go to h-ll, you son of an ape and worse than a greaser!" yelled Feeny. "If you had dhrop of Irish blood in yer veins, ye,d never ask the ques- tion. Now, if you think you can take this money, here's your chance. No Harvey ever went back on his friends. "
 Even brain muddled Mullan felt a maudlin impulse to cheer at Feeny $ enthusiastic answer. Even poor old Hummer gave a half stified cry. Pos sibly he dreamed that rescue was at hand but there was little time for re- Jolclng. Spring1ng back whence ht came, the unseen emiSSary was heard shouting some order to his fellows. Tht next instant the rifles began their crack ing on both sides, and the bullets, witf furious spat, drove deep into the adobt or whizzed through the gunnysack; into the barley. The unseen foe ws! once more investing them on every sid, and not a shot could be wasted in re turn.
 Once more the furious crackle ana roar of the flames were heard close a hand, and then the smoke grew thicker the heat increased, and poor Ned liar vey, his eyes smarting, knelt, steadfast at his post and prayed-prayed for tn coming of rescue, for the return of tn loved father. all the gallant troop at hi back-and then, even as though in an swer to his prayer, there came a suddel lull in the fight.
 'Something's comingr' shouted Fee | y,1- ssT1ax- Saa rr. haars Sofi1a body sure. Look, MT. Harvey, ain l that two of their fellows scudding ava, | westward out there?"
 Surely enough. In the glare of tn burning sheds the besieged caught glimpse 1.-two of the gang bending loy in their saddles 100 yards away an'