The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-20


grim hand had throttled her.
what are you holding behind your
"Oh. uothing-please. I am not holding
anything behind me: indeed I'm not"
VERY well Hold your hands out in
front OF you. then"
"oh. indeed I'm not holding anything
behind me. Indeed. I'm not
Well" he began. Then he paused. and
remained for moment dubious. Finally
he laughed. well. I shall have my men
search the house, anyway. I'm sorry TO
trouble you. but feel assured that there is
some one here whom We want" He turned
70 the corporal. who with the other men.
was gaping quietly in at the door. and
said: Jones go through the house"
AS for himself he remained planted in
front OF the girl, for she evidently did not
dare 10 move and allow him to see what
she held so carefully behind her back. SO
she was his prisoner.
The men rummaged around on the
ground floor Of the house. Sometimes the
CAPTAIN called 10 them. Try that closet"
as there any CELLAR But they found no
one. and at last they went trooping toward
TIE stairs which led 10 the second floor.
But at this movement on the part Of the
men. the girl uttered a CRY, a cry OF such
fright and appeal that the men paused.
"Oh. don't go M there Please don't so
I'D theret-ple--ease There IS 10 one
there' Indeed-.ndeed there is not! Oh.
please
GO on. Jores." said the captain. calmly.
The obedient corporal made prelimi-
nary step. and the Girl bounded toward
the stairs with another cry.
As she passed him. the captain caught
sight OF that which she had concealed be-
hind her back. and which she had forgot
ten IN this supreme moment. II was a
pistol.
She ran 10 the first step and. standing
there. faced the men. one hand extended
with perpendicular palm and the other
holding the pistol at her side "oh. please.
don't go up there. Nobody is therein
deed there Is not P-l-e-a-s-e." Then
suddenIy she sank swiftly down upon the
step. and. budding forlorniy. began TO
weep IN the agony and with the convui-
sive tremors Of an infant. The pistol fell
from her fingers and ratified down to the
floor.
The astonished troopers looked at their
astonished captain. There was a short
silence.
Finally the captain stopped and picked
up the pistol. II was q heavy weapon OF
the army pattern He sscertained that IL
was empty
lie leaned toward the shaking girl and
said. gently: "Wiu you tel me what you
were going to do with this pistol2"
re had 20 repeat the question a number
or times. bat at last mufIled voice said;
Nothing"
Nothing He insisted quietly upon a
further answer At the tender tones Of
the captains voice the phlegmatic cor
poral turned and winked grayely at the
man next 10 him
Won't you tell me?'
The GIL shook her head.
please tell me"
The silent privates were moving their
feet uneaslly and wondering how long
hp~ - NAT
The captain said. Please won't you tell
me?''
Then the girls voice began n stricken
tones. half coherent and amid violent
sobblng. 1T vas grandpa's, He-he-he
said he was going % shoot anybody who
came in here-he didn't care Y there were
thousands Of 'ern. And-and I know -
would. and I was afraid they'd Kin him.
And so-and-so l stole away his pistol
and vas going to hide u when you-you
YOU kicked open the door"
The men Strengthened up and looked at
each other The girsbeEan 70 weep again.
The captain mopped his brow. He
peered down a. the gtrl. lie moppe8 his
brow again. Suddenly lie said: All,
don't CRY like that"
lie moved restlessly and looked down at
his boots. he mopned his brow again.
Then he gr1pped the corporal by the am,
and dragged him back some yards from
tha others. "Jones." he said. in an in
tenseIy earnest Voice. will you tell ne
what II the dsvli I ara going 20 dor
Ire corporaIs counteuance became IL
Illuminated wtth satisfaction at beng thus
requested 20 advise his superior Officer ne
adopted an ar % great thought aDd f1aal-
Is said: ell. OF course. the Teller with
the grey sleeve must he upstairs, ard We
rs.yist get past the girl and up there some
how. Suppose I take her by the arm and
lead her
What" interrupted ths captain from
between his c5enched Teeth. As ne tGraed
away from tse corporal Re said e~rceiv
over his shoulder: You touch tAat girl
AMI IA sput your skuii.'