The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-01-27

"S~ Suc utlu uDONt Epr Updu
She heard mice scurrying about among
the pans that Aunt Sally had left on
the table when she went to her cabin
for the night, and she shrank from ven.
turing into the darkness below. But
as she hesitated, peering anxiOusly
down the flight groan from another
room ended her reluctance. Lifting
her skirts she ran quickly over the
stairs, for Edward, her husband. had
been seized at midnight with violent
headache, the result of riding too long
in the sun in the afternoon. and was
begging deliriously for lee. So ice
Molly must have. even il it meant
Drawing the terrors below
The refrigerator was in leau-to
opening from the kitchen. Mrs Car.
son found the door shut and fastened
securely against all her puShinss and
shakings, and the end OF the key
glinted malicously at her through the
keyhole, rs If tauuting her inability.
Running up stairs, she left the can
die on the table in the dining room, and
went out of doors to try to open the
outside shed door. The moon shone
dimly through feecy April clouds. and
a whipporwlll called insistently from
nearby field. in the note that sounds
more melancholy In the North Carolina
mountains than anywhere else in the
world
The outer door proved as obstinate
as the inner Molly ratified in vain.
and then fell to pulling at the wire net
ting over little window beside It, The
tears rolled down her cheeks as she
tugged with no success. \ ragged bit
of gauze tore her fingers, but she did
not mind the pain. The sound of Ed.
wards voice inside the house. rising
and falling in the babble Of delirium,
spurred her to continued effort, and
deafened her TO the cry Of the whip.
poorwill. She did not even hear the
sound of approaching footsteps, until
s man came around the. corner Of the
house so quickly that he almost ran
into her.
Heavens" she cried Mt the same
moment. shaking from head to foot,
and hardly able TO articulate. What
90 you want"
Her heart thumped fUriously, but
through her fear there ran the thought
that whatever happened Edward must
have the ice.
The man regaincd his sclf-possession
as he saw her fright.
1T looks like we-alrs m to the same
business" he chuckled. pointing to the
window. and giving her poke in the
arm with dirty thumb.
II don't understand you: | am Mrs
Carson" said Molly. throwing back her
fair head, haughtily. Then. recalled by
his gesture to her occupation she for
got her terror In the thought that here
was a mana strong man-who could
help her. She began to work fever
ishly at the netting.
"Mr. Carson's very i'll. He's out OF
his head and | want to get some ice
for him. The door from the kitchen Is
locked" she explained. "There! tri
nmphautly as one corner gave way II
response 10 a vigorous tug. Now you
pull on that" she commanded. and thC
would-be burglar. nothing loath, gave Q
Jerk that brought Off the whole cover
.ng.
"Splenddw exclaimed Molly. and
prepared 10 climb in at once.
''No. you don't. Ma'am. said the man
"Let me go in first and assist y0u-all,
gallantly.
He pushed his bulky frame through
the small easement, and then helpcC
Molly, with a caution not to ''laxerate'
herself without a thought for tbs
strangeness OF her position. locked into
the shed with this rough fellow, Molly
went Mt once to the refrigerator.
Unlock that door az the left
please" she said. you'll find a can
die and matches on the shelf over thu
kitchen table "NOw," with upllftet
voice as she heard the sputter of tn,
match. bring me pan to put the 'lc'
In. Thank you. What a relief 1t il 4
have thlsr' and filling the tin sh
crossed the kitchen and began to g
up stairs. so absorbed in her purpos
that she no longer noticed her compar
Ion.
Here you. Ma'am. don't you-all 6
back on your pal that-a-way." said h'
with n return OF the audaclty Of whlc
her air OF command and her uncoI
sciousness OF the situation had robbie
him.
Molly paused midway on the flight.
"Oh. I'd forgotten. You came toe
get things. supposef I'm sorry.
she went on politely. but I'm afral
there isn't thing you'd care for. yo
see, this Is furnished cottage. and a
the silver is plated. which isn't an
use 20 you, Of course. And we new,
keep any money IN the house. thoug
think-I think" with an effort ,
remembrance. ''that have two qua
fers In my purse; II that would DO {
any service to your tentatively.
The man seemed about TO exprei
his disappointment. when Mrs. Carsc
thought again Of her husband.
II mustn't stay here talking. L,
been ages getting this ice," or
straishtwsy sne ran up stairs. leaylI