Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-05-06

=
he Kissed. Show US the silver, and
be quick-we've no time to waste"
She had barely time to exchange one
Mortified glance with the old butler.
whom she perceived lying on the floor
Of the hall gagged and bound, when
| her assailant pulled her roughly by the
arm into the dlning-room, closing the
door noiselessly behind.
Now, my girl, hurry up" he said
rudely.
Zoe Wentworth appeared not one
whit abashed. She calmly sat down on
the nearest chair, and smiled serenely
upon the strange company There
were five Of them, and all strong men
armed and masked.
Gentlemen, you have so taken me
by surprise that you must first allow
me to regain my equanimity Listen"
and her voice became serious, Il have
an invalid mother upstairs. Any shock
might kill her. Promise on your oath
to make no noise, and will show you
the valuables Do you agree?"
Yes, yes. We've no wish to harm
the old woman, but business is bust
ness, and-ahi" for the girl had I'M
locked an oak chest containing the
rich family plate
You will need a cart to carry all
that away, she observed, with smile.
"Oh, We'll manage somehow, miss
don't fear, laughed one of the robbers.
They drew from the pockets large
cloths, in which they commenced to
stow away the contents of the chest.
Zoe looked outwardly calm, but raging
inwardly as she saw the beautiful old
silver tossed into heap on the floor.
Presently two of the gang, seeing
supper laid on the table, commenced
to carve the joint of beef.
Their comrades murmuring at the
risk attempted to drag them away, and
a sort Of tumult began.
"Hushl" said the girl, severely.
Keep your promise. They say even
thieves have honor"
by gadi she's right Come boys, the
lady has behaved royalty to US. Let's
decamp now, quietly and decently,"
said one, who appeared to be the chief
of the gang.
But the men had already began to
tackle the food prepared for Colonel /
Wentworth and his party and showed /
no inclination to move.
Zoe, seeing this, conceived a plan.
Have some supper, by all Means"
she said, crossing over to the sideboard /
for the wine, which she passed freely /
round the table, smiling and cOnvers- /
ing with each rObber in turn.
Here's a bumper to the finest lass 1
going" cried one, rising from his chair
with difficulty.
Shut up, idiot" remarked one Of
his companions, politely emphasizing
lis remark by aid Of an empty pie dish.
More wine, more wine" cried the
one.
you have drunk it all" the girl
aid. but if you like I viii fetcn some
# my fathers old port from the cellar.
hall go?"
Yes, yes" they exclaimed in z
horus. clinking their empty glasses.
One of the men, less tipsy than the
est, stumbled to his feet to accompany
Ter, but she waved him back with an
mperious gesture.
When outside the room she quietly
urned the key in the lock. She was
ust on the point of going up stairs to
ouse the men servants when she heard
aTriage wheels coming up the drive.
\ second later she was tearing down
be drive like mad creature.
stop" she painted to the bewildered
oachman, who drew up with a jerk
Some one opened the carriage door.
Great heavens" is it you, Miss
Ten-Zoe-what is wrong?" whisper
] Major Mildred, full of anxiety, for
lie carriage lamps revealed the pallor 1
f her face.
In a few words she managed to ex-
lain to them the meaning of her sud
IN appearance, and how she had man &
ged 10 keep the burglars prisoners IN I
l their return.
''Wen done, Zoe" said Major Miner, {
an undertone, as he passed by her '
D his way into the house, and he a
ok in his eyes sent a thrill of pleas ]
e through her. She did not answer, C
It turned away smiling softly to her
If c
:
The robbers were captured with little o.
ficulty, their tipsy condition making
easy for their captors. and the morn
g found them safely enseonced in the T
arrest police station.
Major Miner did not attempt to ind
0rds to express his admiration for :,
,e's pluck, but from that hour his =,
slingg towards her underwent "
ange, and she, realizing her victory, .,
Is content. NJ
Three months later they were mar =,