The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-02-07
e. OUR Daily Story.
How Laura Kept the Robbers Down.

/ uCl
1--WE won't give him any chance
to speak," growled the man who
held the lantern. Hell never know
what hurt him. Hurry up, girl,
we're wastin' time. Is he up loft?"
Laura turned deadly pale. In
that moment she realized how dear
to her Arthur Morris had become,
and she resolved to save his life.
even if she had to sacrifice her
own.
This way" she said softly, and
she turned toward a door situated
midway between the bedroom of
the invalid and the pantry. She OPP
ened it little way. do you hear
him breathe?" she said.
Eyes, yes" answered the ruff
fans; but it was the heavy breath
ing of Mrs. Stacy in the loft above
that they had heard.
, Laura threw the door wide open;
it open inward. Then the men saw
a dark void and pressed eagerly
forward, not even stopping to throw
the light of their lantern on the
place. At this instant Laura sprang
back and threw herself with all her
force upon the rear man, and the
next instant there was a heavy fall,
the crash of broken lantern, and
a volley of oaths, for both men lay
at the bottom of the cellar. But
the danger was not over by any
means. Laura knew that the men
would mount the ladder at once,
and there was no way of fastening
the door, and SO Laura sprang for
the fireplace and caught Louis re-
volver from the rude mantel, while
she offered a prayer for courage
and strength.
She heard the deep curses as
they searched for the ladder, and
the next instant a head appeared
above the threshold.
The candle threw a faint light,
enough to enable Laura to see.
Back" she cried; but the order
was not obeyed.
The robber raised his pistol. and
Laura knew that unless she fired
| at once she was lost-Arthur, too.
With these thoughts flashing
through her mind she leveled the
deadly weapon at the man, and a
sharp report went ringing through
the cabin. as a deep groan and the
sound of heavy fall came from
the cellar. But the creaking of the
ladder showed that the other rob-
Der was about to try his fate, and
he appeared above the threshold,
pistol in hand. But Laura was too
quick for him. A second report,
and again came a groan and the
sound Of heavy fall. The brave
girl, overcome at last, sakn to the
floor just as her aunt came rushing
into the room, frightened almost
out of her senses, and the door of
Arthur's room opened and he ap.
peared, worn and ghostlike.
Great heavens" he cried as he
saw Laura crouching on the floor.
Are you hurt? Laura, my darling,
speak to mel"
Perhaps in that moment of terror
Arthur Morris heart was revealed
to him, and he knew he loved the
niece of this Arkansas hunter.
mo, no., faltered the girl, rous.
ing herself. 81 am not hurt. But !
shot two men, laying in the cellar
and-and---"
But she could go no further for
her eyes closed and she lost con.
seriousness.
Perhaps Arthur's kisses were
more efficaclous in restoring her
than her aunt's dippers of cold wa.
ter But the faint was not a very
long one, and she was soon able
to tell the whole story of the as
sault.
SO there was a quiet wedding in
the cabin one day in the early sum-
mer, and the girl, who had truly
earned the right. :. to- her husband,
set out with him on a journey to a
comfortable home within the Dor.
ders of civilization, where there
was less danger of being murdered
by desperadoes.
ARE YOU GOING TO CALIFOR.