Year: 1861

oIlgnt lnOuRht came into her mind She
would pretend there we're others in the house,
for she already felt afraid of the man.
and bitterly regretted having admitted
him.


would you like to see some of the men
folks, sir she inquired, If So 1 will call
them from their BEDS


The man laughed horseIy and replied


'Mllly Dean, for that believe is your
name, you cannot deceive me. You are all
alone IN this house. took particular care
to ascertain that before / came. So you
may os well make yourself easy on that score
and do as bid you.'


DO as yon bid me p exclaimed Milly, in
terror; what do you want of me p


i want the twelve hundred dollars in
gold your husband received for his produce
two days ago. You probably know where
it is.'


Mllly sprang into the entry and would
have fed, but the stranger caught her by
he wrist, and dragged her roughly back.


gu cannot escape me young woman he
said. I ou will fnd it most convenient to
make clean breast of it at once. 1t will
be better for YOU


Milly strove to release her arm. The
rongh treatment she received aroused her
temper, and Indignation overcome all other
feelings.


Let me go; you scoundrel let me GO, or
i will call for help, she cried.


Call, You fool said the brutal fellow,
and much good may it do you. Keep your
self still aud tell Inc where the money is.'


I will not she exclaimed, her ewes fash.
ing fire.


You will not, he then replied; we shall
see.'


lie released her wrist SO violently that
she reelcd half across the room. Then he
seized that sleeping iufant from its cradle,
and held it arms length almost into the
blazing ire, so that the terrified mother ex.
pected to see its light garments catch the
fame.


Now, then, where is the money? Speak
ont quick or hear your baby shrek with
pain. / will burn it TO death before your
eyes if you do not tell me where the mon
ey is. ......


Monster give me my child, shrieked Mil
ly, endeavoring to reach the little one.
Let me have my baby.


But every effort was frustrated, for again
and again the strong had Of the robber thrust
her back.


Sec its clothes will be on fire in minute
said the man, putting the helpless innocent
closer to the flames The mother looked
into his eyes. She saw there the look of
heartless determination. She became aware
the cotton garments of the child where
smoking with the heat.


How shall it be?' asked the ruifian.
Hurry, or the child dies have no time
to waste here


Anything, anything, only give me my
child 7 she cried. The next Instant it was
handed her, and she sank upon the floor and
folded it to her bosom.


Come exclaimed the man touching her
rudely with his foot you have not told me
where the money Isl


In the box on the upper SHELF she repli-
ed, pointing to the closet.


The man found the box, placed it on the
table, and opened it saying so far we'll
1t is nearly all gold will pocket it with
your leave or without your leave, inst as
you please He filed his pocket with the
golden coin, aud threw the empty box in
the fire. Then he came and stood beside
her.


Put the baby in the cradle, he said if
you wish to sayeits life. have other busi-
ness for you .n. aa


what do you mean p cried Milly, eye.
ing the man with suspicion. ~


Let me have it, he said, trying to take
it. .#


No, no, | will put the baby in the cradle
myself; You shall not touch the poor
little thing. Now sir she continued, al
most choakiug with excitement, what is itT
After having laid the pretty infant on its
downy place of rest, she stood erect and
waited the reply.


Il am coming to kill you said the man.


Kill me p she exclaimed, her face grow
ing pale with terror Kill me What have
| ever done to you that you should kill
me? .... ..


Nothing, nothing, my dear, only you
know you have seen me, aud you will know
me again. And he advanced upon her.


%, SIR let me live. Have you not done
enough to take my husbands money, with
out depriving him Of his wife too ! ! will
never say anything against you if you will
spare me, only spare me


As she spoke she clasped her hands and
looked imploringly at him.


Il am sorry that cannot safely grant
your request, he responded. There is no
help for it, so come along ont DOORS


He reached his hand to grasp Milly.
But the instinct of self-preserVation was
strong upon her. She evaded him. flew to
the chimney.plaee, snatched her husbands
loaded rife from the hooks on which it hung,
cooked and presented it at the breast of the
robber. Her motions were so rapid before
he could prevent it, her finger pressed the
trigger and there wss an explosion. But
with equal readiness the man stepped aside,
the ball had passed over bis head, and the
next instant his grippe was on her throat.


Il will teach you to handle arms, he said
You would have killed me, woald you I |
will show you trick worth two OF that


Mercy, mercy. cried the terrified woman.


There is no mercy for you,' he calculated.
He dragged her iOto the entry and flung
open the door. '0ut with you into the
sn0w' tre. .'r I'


Hold what is this p exclaimed deep
toned voice. 'Unhand that woman, yol
seonndrel.' l1-f ~ eg aI gaa