Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1889-07-13 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS.  FRYNCII  vslue of what you have with you, they will not Spare yOU.  •• A year ago I ecipped here with my father. In the night they robbed and murdered him. They spared my life, but for how long Ido not know. I am not dumb, but tbey threaten me with death if I speak. I dread to see another murder. I warn you at every risk.  " Escape and pray for my soul. The rnen are now in the kitchen. At midnight they will attack you. I swear this is true."  " Good hearer% ''' cried the count, "ii this the raving of a maniac, or are we really amongst robbers 2"  "At least., I will see if the men are here," said Francois. He gilded out of the room. On the stairs he met the hoortees.  " Madame," he said, "my master desires S glass of water."  o -I -will get " said the woman. n Oh, that is troubling madame too much!" cried Francois, following her. He approached the kitchen door. Near it crouched the girL The woman seired her by the arm and dragged her into the kitchen with Iv r. Francois saw the scowling faces of rough, bearded men within. But as the hostess returned with some water she said, smilingly:  •• I am very happy. My dear husband and my good boys have returned to-night, and so hungry after their honest work. Excellent men.' " •  "I thank you, madame," said Francois, u he ran upstairs. " The robbers are there," be said to hie muter. 'They outnumber us by many. The forest paths are unknown to us; we cannot get our horses without detection ; those poor fellows in the barn will be murdered. What shall we do?"  "Let me think. Francois," said his master. "If we appear to suspect anything, our doom is sealed. Go down boldly; tell the woman that one of the set. vents has the key of my portmanteau ; go to the barn and warn them. Let them saddle the horses quietly, and lead them to the entrance of the wood. Meanwhile, if possible, tell the poor girl to steal out of doors and hide herself. We will take her with on. It will be easy enough to jump from this window, and midnight is a long way off." Franrois obeyed. • . . .  Half an hour afterward the two men, having fastened the door and the trap in the roof let themselves and the portmanteau to the turf below.  In the woods they found the trembling servants and them horses, and as they mounted a shivering little figure crept from the bushes, led by Francois. Mount behind me, mademoiselle," he said. God helping us, we are safe now'  They rode through the woods all night. When day broke they now that they had followed a road which led ton large town, and were safe.  That day a party of armed police, led by Francois and the count, descended upon the hut in the forest ; but they found it deserted. Nothing remained but the empty walls. Under the innocent-looking turf, however, they found the dead bodies of several murdered travellers, buried as they had been killed, in their ordinary garments. It was evident that the girl had spoken only the truth.  " Returned to her i'relatives,'the beauty and freshness of this poor young creature soon returned, and no one would have known her when, a few years after, she stood attired as a bride before the altar of the church of Notre Dame, the happy bride of the young nobleman whose life she had saved by her timely warning.