St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-09-28
.Bless my stars and garters'" !

y They took him upstairs, and ne
climbed up the steepattic stairs. The
women shut the door as lie politely
bade them good night, and they fas-
tened the paddock, hearing him
chuckle to himself as he kicked off
| his boots.
"I'd take the key. num-" said
Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her. and
the two descended to shut up the
house. After they had made every
thing secure they went back upstairs.
| 'sYou must sleep in my room to-
night, Sarah" the mistress said.
Sarah dragged in her bedding and
made pallet on the floor, and then,
after the custom Of women, they ex-
amined the closets, looked under the
bed, and piled the chairs against the
locked door. The rain was still fall
ing heavily, and the night black as
ink. The mistress and maid went to
bed. and, although worried and anx
ious, went to sleep.
After midnight Mamie found her
self awake, and bright light shin
ing in the room She started up, and
saw that it was the moonlight. The
storm had cleared away at last. She
| got up, unable to compose herself i'm
mediately, and went to the window.
| The moon was shining brightly. As
| she stood looking at the peaceful
scene before her she saw away down
the road, for it was as bright as day,
several horsemen. 1t was suchan un-
usual sight at this hour that she stood
watching them as they came nearer.
To her surprise they turned up the
lane leading toward her house, and
on reaching the gate came into the
yard. She was almost paralyzed with
fear The truth flashed across her.
They must have learned that she was
alone-that she had this money, and
they had come to get it. For a mo-
ment she was paralyzed. She remem-
bered Harry's last words: "You must
guard it with your life if necessary
She ran to the sleeping Sarah and
wakened her. She got down Hary's
rifle. The sleeping girl was soon
thoroughly awake, and she explained
to her their condition.
It's the tramp that's doneit."
ssThe tramp? No. Sarah, the key,
the key Of the attic"
She flew up the stairs, unlocked the
paddock and opened the trap. The
man sprang up at the sound
Some, come with me-" His own
senses alert, and hearing the noise
Of the horses below and steps about
the house, he followed her without
word. At the foot Of the stairs she
stopped.
SI have large sum Of money in the
house, and those men have come to
get it, thinking that I am alone. Il
they kiH me that money must be
guarded. .
@What have you? pistols, shot
p11ns2 he whisnarad fakinp in the
whole situation
Here is my husbands rifle. It is
loaded"
Hist! Where are they going to
break IMP The steps came boldly
on the piazza to the front door.
Get behind me. / will fire at the
first man who enters. How many bar
rels are there?"
"Six, all loaded"
Very well. Keep this cane in your
hand for me, in case I need it,
There was no storming Of shutters.
They heard the key applied to the
door softly. It opened and a man
followed by two others confidently
entered. The first figure walked di-
rectly to the stairs. He had taken
but step when three shots came in
rapid succession. There was a heavy
thud; this man dropped and the other
two turned and fled. Sarah ran to the
window and two horses galloped down
the lane.
Don't faint, madam; there is work
yet to do said the tramp.
Mamie caught hold Of the rail for
and then went into theroom
"Get a candle, Sarah"
They lighted candle and gave it
to the tramp, who went downstairs,
the two women following with brandy
and ammonia. The man had fallen
backward and lay with his face up
and head toward the door.
"Ahar' said the tramp, curiously,
holding the light up and peering into
The dead mans face, @he's fixed. Shot
through the head
Mamie advanced and gazed at the
white face, across which thin,
.hreadlike stream Of blood was trick
CT. r.lI T., II II L !. - j L.. IL