Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-11-02
unless his gold ana your person are given
in ransom. But the arms, luaiden-where

Philip to an inner room on the upper floor
1t was the sanctum of her father, and WAS
surrounded with shelves filled with bottles
and boxes of drugs. In one corner was an
iron chest, and over tho mantelpiece were
brace of carbines and three pistols
''They are all loaded, observed Anime,
pointing to them, and laying on the table
the one which she had held in her hand.
Philip took d swn tho arms and examin.
ed all the prin ngs. He then took up
from the table The pistol which Amino
had laid there, and threw open the pan.
1t was equally we'll prepared. Philip
closed the pan, and with smile, observed:
so this was meant for me- Aminsi'
"No-not for you-but for . traitor.
had one gained admittance.
"Now, maiden" observed Philip, II
shall station myself at the easement which
you opened, but without light in the
room. You may remain here, and can
turn the key. for your security"
You little know me" replied Anime.
"In that way at least am not fearful; I
must remain near you and reload the arms
"a task in which am we'll practiced."
"No, no" replied Philip; ''you might
be hurt"
II may. But think you 1 will remain
here idly when can assist one who risks
his life for me? now my duty, sir, and
shall perform it."
You must not risk your life, Anime"
replied Philip; cray aim will not be steady
If know that you're in danger. But
must take the arms into the other cham.
Der, for the time is come"
Philip, assisted by Anime, carried the
carbincs and pistols into the adjoining
chamber; and Anime then left Philip,
carrying with her the light. Philip, az
soon as he was alone, opened the easement
and looked out-there was no one to be
seen; he listened, but all was silent. The
moon was just rising above the distant
hill, but her light was dimmed by dseoy
clouds, and Philip watched for few
minutes; at length he heard whispering
below. He looked out and could distin-
guish through the dark the four expected
assailants, standing close to the door Of
the house. He walked away softly from
the window, and went into the next room
to Anime, whom he found busy preparing
the ammunition.
anime, they are at the door, in con-
sultation. You can see them now, with.
out risk. thank them, for they will
convince you that have told the truth. +"
Anime, without reply, went into the
front room and looked out of the window.
She returned, and laying her hand upon
Philips arm, she said:
Grant me your pardon for my doubts.
I fear nothing now but that my father
may return too soon, AMI they seize him."
Philip left the room again, to make his
reconnaissance. The robbers did not ap-
pear to have made up their mind-ths
strength Of the door dcflcd their utmost
efforts, so they d mpted steatassn.
They knocked, and as there was no reply,
they continued to knock louder and loud
er; not meeting with success, they held
another consultation, and the muzsls of q
carbine was then put to the keyhole, and
tho piece discharged. The lock Of the door
was blown off, but the iron bars which
crossed the door within, above, and below,
still held it fast.
Although Philip would have boon justi-
fed in firing upon the robbers when he
first perceived them in consultation at tho
door, still there is that feeling in gener-
Gus mind which prevents the taking away
of life, except from stern necessity; and
this feeling made him withhold his fire
until hostilities had actually commenced.
He now leveled one of the carbines at the
head of the robber nearest to the door, who
was busy examining tho effect which tho
discharge of the piece had made, and what
further obstacles interviewed The aim
was true and the man fell dead, while the
others started back with surprise at the
unexpected retaliation But in a second
or two a pistol was discharged at Philip,
who still remained leaning out Of the case
mont, fortunately without effect; and the
next moment he felt himself drawn away,
go as to be protected from their fire. It
was Anime, who, unknown to Philip, had
been standing by his side.
You must not expose yourself, Philip"
said she, in q low tone.
"She called me Philip" thought he,
but made no reply.
They will be watching for you at the
easement now" said Anime. "Take the
other carbine, and go below in the pas
sage. If the lock of the door is blown of,
they may put their arms in, perhaps, and
remove the bars. do not think they can,
but I'm not sure; ut all events, it is there
you should now be, as there they will not
expect you"
"You are right" replied Philip, going
down.
But you must not fire more than once
there; if another fall, there will be but
two to deal with, and they cannot watch
the easement and force admittanoe too.
Col will reload the carbine.
Philip descended softly and without
light, He went to the door, and perceived
that one Of the miscreants, with his arm
through the hole where the look was blown
off, was working ut the upper iron bar,
which he could just reach He presented
his carbine, and was about to fire the
whole charge into the body of the man
under his raised arm, when there was
report Of firearms from the robbers outside.
Canine has exposed herself" thought
Philip, land may be hurt"
The desire Of vengeance prompted him
aeBzqZk1fIl1u