The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-28
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, II have
an invalid mother upstairs. Any shock
might kill her. Promise on your oath
to make no noise, and I will show you
the valuables. Do you agree?"
eyes, yes. We've no wish to harm
the old woman, but business is bust
ness, and-ah!" for the girl had I'M
locked an oak chest containing tie
rich family plate.
'You will need 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.
Hush" said the girl, severely.
keep your promise. They say even
thieves have honor"
''By CAD! 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 bumper to the finest lass
going" cried one, rising from his chair
with difficulty.
'FShut up, idiot" remarked one Of
his companions, politely emphasizing
his remark by aid Of an empty pie dish.
more wine, more wine," cried the
hilarious one.
'You have drunk it ALL" the girl
said, 'but if you like I will fetch some
of my fathers old port from me cellar.
Shall I go?"
Eyes, yes" they exclaimed in
chorus, blinking their empty glasses.
One of the men, less tipsy than the
rest, stumbled to his feet to accompany
her, but she waved him back with an
imperious gesture.
When outside the room she quietly
turned the key in the lock. She was
just on the point of going up stairs to
rouse the men servants when she heard
carriage wheels coming up the drive.
A second later she was tearing down
the drive like mad creature.
"Stop!" she painted to the bewildered
coachman, who drew up with jerk.
Some one opened the carriage door.
Great heavens!" is it you, Miss
Wen-Zoe-what is wrong?" whisper
ed Major Mildred, full of anxiety, for
the carriage lamps revealed the pallor
of her face.
In few words she managed to ex-
plain to them the meaning OF her sud-
den appearance, and how she had man
aged to keep the burglars prisoners I'M
til their return.
''Well done, Zoe," said Major Miner,
in an undertone, as he passed by her
on his way into the house, and the
look in his eyes sent thrill of pleas
ure through her. She did not answer,
but turned away smiling softly to her
SELF
y
The robbers were captured with little
difficulty, their tipsy condition making
it easy for their captors. and the morn
ing found them safely ensconced in the
nearest police station.
Major Miner did not attempt to find
words to express his admiration for
Zoe's pluck, but from that hour his
feelings towards her underwent
change, and she, realizing her victory,
was content
Three months later they were mar
ried.-The Princess.