The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-15


and dashed it shut and flung herself
against it shrieking: "She out-she's
out of her room"
To the mystified Florence there
came but one solution to her behavior
fright had overthrown her sisters
reason, and with a wall she rushed
toward her, crying, "She's crazy! Oh,
she's crazyw
"Who's crazy?" yelled the tramp.
The baby, now wildly terrified, set
up loud weeping, while from the
stairway came succession of blows
and angry demands that the door be
opened. A moment more, it was
forced ajar, head crowned with a
mass of tossed hair was thrust out,
and quickly followed by hand in
which was clutched a gun.
"She's got the gunl Oh Florence,
run to the baby!" cried Rose.
"Who's thatpdemanded the appari-
ton, making rush toward the tramp.
"Here, keep off-leave me alone"
he cried, backing away and warding
off an unexpected blow.
She stood before him, tall, strong
and agile.
81 won't leave you alone. What do
you mean by locking me into that
room? I'm no more crazy than you
are. What's this?" as she stumbled
over the hat the tramp had put be-
side the chair and in which he had
deposited the silver spoons from the
table. ''Oh, see! you are allin league
to rob me of my god and precious
stonesl" and catching it up on the
gun, she gave it twirl which sent
the spoons glittering in every direc-
ton, then, advancing upon him, she
thrust hat and gun into the face of
the Mortified man. With a volley of
oaths he sprang backwards, upset
ting his chair and falling over it.
ooh, don't kill him, Cassie, don't
kill him!"
"We'll have merry time gayly
dancing about him and prodding him
sharply with the gun, as he tried to
scramble to his feet.
Keep off that gun, can't you'" he
yelled. Cant you hold her, you
screaming idiots'" and half crawling,
half pushed, he gained the kitchen
door, which had stood partly open
since he entered.
"Where are you going, my pretty
maid? Don't you try to get away"
shouted Cassie, as she fitted lightly
after him. The tramp stayed not to
answer her question or command, but
clearing the doorway fled wildly
through the dusk.
Here's your hat-I'll fire it after
you," she called, and sharp report
rang out on the quiet evening air,
then all was still.
The three girls stood for a moment
in the door, watching the dim out
line fleeing across the meadow in the
direction of the highway.
"He1l think twice before inviting
himself to supper another time,"
quietly remarked Cassie, with salts
fed smile.
"Oh, Cassie, darling, you have
saved our lives!" cried Florence, fling
ing her arms around her sister.
II don't know about that, but I've
saved the spoons, anyway"
"There, there, baby" going to the
still afflicted child, "don't cry any
more; sister Cassie was just making
dirty old tramp hop; she didn't
really shoot him, she was just play
ing to shoot"
"Oh, Cassie, you splendid, brave
girl how did you ever happen to
think to go crazy7" asked Rose, as
she looked over her shoulder from
the door she was barricading.
"Well, 1 knew something had to be
done, and that just popped into my
mind. | was doing Ophelia the
other day up in my room, SO was in
practice, and didn't 1 make sweetly
pensive maniacs Now I hope you
girls will never again make disre.
spectful comments upon any little
private theatricals of mine. If had
never cultivated my dramatic talents,
what would have become of you, I'd
like to knowi"
1t was some time before the tidal
wave of excitement had subsidized
sufficiently for the girls to settle down
for the evening, or for the baby to 20
to sleep. Again and again they
thought they heard stealthy footsteps
and although the door was locked
and double locked, they drew up into
battle line whenever the autumn
winds shook down a shower of leaves
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