Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-08-05

MS Deu, ana once more inc Udlueu
was left alone. Nothing broke the
stiffness of the night save the blasts
that howled among the Alps, and for
half an hour longer she sat by the
fast decaying embers in the fireplace.
The maiden thought surely that IL
the strangers meditated harm they
would have been, ere this, on the
move; and with the throbbing of her
fear-laden bosom somewhat quieted
she raked up the embers on the
hearth, extinguished the lamp that
hung above the bar and then taking
her candle she started for her room.
Marcelline had passed through the
narrow entry, assembled the stairs,
and had her hand upon the latch of
her own door, when a strange sound
from the room of Lubin attracted her
attention. At first she thought the
boy must be talking in his sleep, but
the sound of hustling feet drove that
| idea from her mind and as the idea
| flashed upon her that the robbers
were astir, she turned to flee for help;
but she was too late, for hardly had
she turned back toward the stairs,
when she was confronted by one of
her stranger guests.
''Do you want anything, sir?"
asked Marcelline, hardly conscious
of what she uttered. but using the
phrase merely from the force of habit
Yes, pretty one, do the man
returned. 81 want Altzorfs strong
box"
''Mercy, sir. You would not rob us?"
"Oh, no-not you. It's only those
baubles which belong to the convent
that we want; so bestir yourself and
show us where they are. "
Il shall shrek, sir! shall cry out
for helpr' exclaimed Marcelline, as
she essayed to start for the stairs.
mo, no, sweet one, the villain
returned, at the same time laying a
rough grasp upon the maiden's arm
and drawing a pistol from his pocket.
''1our stable-boy is already secured,
and we shall treat you in the same
way. But mark me; il you are quiet,
and tell US where the box is hidden,
no harm shall come to you; but if
you do mott
The villain silently finished his
sentence by significantly racing his
pistol at the girls head, and at that
moment he was joined by his com
panion, who had just come from
Lubin's room. Marcelline at first
thought of resistance, but she soon
found that she could gain nothing by
no. nd ha
only threatened her life, but they
vowed that they would break in
sunder every door and partition in
the house till they found the box.
Under these circumstances, the girl
thought it best to reveal the hiding
place of the box, trusting, however,
that something might yet turn up to
assist her, and, accordingly, she led
the way to the bar.room, back Of
which was small apartment. TAX
ing key from the money drawer
she unlocked the door Of the back
room. and, pointing to a small closet
| in the further corner, she said:
''There, sirs, in that closet is the
monks box, but my master has the
key in his own possession, and so, if
you would open it, you must needs
force the lock.
You are ready with your wit,
pretty one, :" said one of the robbers,
as he cast scrutinizing glance into
Marcelline's face. II fear to trust
you too far, so you must excuse us
if we just secure you till after our
job is completed"
As the man spoke he lead the girl
back to the barroom, and, taking
from his pocket a piece of stout cord,
he proceeded to lash her to a chair
She stoutly resisted, and even at
tempted to utter cry, but a napkin
soon stopped her power Of utterance.
after which her hands were dashed
behind her, and then she herself
lashed to the chair. After this the
robbers took few tools from one of
their sacks and proceeded at once to
force the stout closet door.
For moment after Marcelline had
/ been left alone she almost gave up in
| despair; but her woman's wit soon
came to her aid, and a CLEAN of hope
/ TX AAtCO up lACI FROM
where the villains were at work they
could not look into the bar-room, and
after listening for moment or two
to assure herself that they were fair
ly busy, she moved her chair nois-
lessly toward table, upon which a
candle had been left bR,ning. By
considerable exertion she managed
to get hold of the candlestick with
her teeth, and then carefully set it
on chair A moment more she lis
tened, and then she turned her back
to the candle in such manner a to
bring the outer cord in the blaze. It
required not half minute to burn
off the cord that secured her to her
seat, and then, bending over, she
took the back of the chair in her
teeth and carefully moved it out OF
the way. Then she turned again and
placed the cord that boun1 her wrists
in the blaze The lashings burned,
and so did her flesh, but by perfect
self devotion, she heroically with
/ o. 4 =