Year: 1859

! for frost never entered the deep hole
! the hunter had dug. Besides these
there was the loft With tightly
boarded Aoor, which was reached by
a ladder from the pantry, and in this
latter place the mail carrier slept
He had dragged the mail bags up
after him, MOI caring to leave SO pre-.
cious charge beyond his reach.
Morton went to bed at nine
o o'clock, as be was tired and sleepy
from his hard ride. Polly had
work to do, having neglected it
while. talking with her guest, SO
when she had seen him safely at
rest, in the loft, she drew her basket
up to the table where the candle was,
and went to work on some clsthing
for her child, who was sleeping
very soundly in the bed in the
corner. ,,e


The old German clock, which
hung upou the wall, with its great
weights and winding strings all ex-
posed, had just struck ten ere Polly
arose from her work. She bad just
pushed her basket beneath the table
and had taken up the candle, when
the front door was opened and two
men entered. They were 10 their
stockings, their shoes having been
left outside so as not to make the
least noise. aa ,e


9 sh!' uttered the foremost Of the
intruders. Speak but one word
above whisper, and you Gle on the
Instant


Polly recove red from her quick
terror and gazed up. She saw two
stout wicked looking men, one OF
whom presented cooked pistol
towards her. With that qnickness
Of perception natural to her, she
knew that the pistol wsuld not be
fred if she held, her peace, as that
would make greater noise than
she could. And further, she recog-
nized in the foremost Of the men a
notorious villain, who bore the name
of Dick Gallus. She had never
seen him before, but the minute
description her husband had given
her of the man, led her at once to
know him, and positively too, for one
big scar on his left cheek was mark
enough.


what seek We, gentlemen?' asked
Polly without betraying the least
particle of fear. 80


'We have come to see Morton,
the mail CARRIER ret urned Gallus
in a coarse whisper. 'Wbere is he?
Don't speak too loud


He is long since asleep. Would
i. not do as well to see him in the
lean find you lodging.


The fair hostess said this for the
purpose Of gaining time. She
knew very we'll that these men had
come TO rob the carrier, and she was
sure they would murder
him If they could, and in all proba-
bly, put her out of the way as well.
They had evidently heard Of the val.
liable load hs carried, and meant to
carry it in bis stead. In short
she not only knew the character Of
the bold.ruffians. but she also knew
their business. Their very warning
and threats to her were positive
proof


Never mind his being asleep.
Show US where be is at once, rough
ly replied Gallus il answer to Polly's
last remark.


But / can call him, good sir
reasoned the woman, calmly, Though
there was alarm in her soul.


Call him? Call--!' growled
the villain with frece oath. you
call him and you'll be called to an.
other world. Show us the way.
I, The mild eye that could aim an
uner.ing bullet at the. forest beast
did not bstray the thoughts of that
woman's soul; nor did look tell
her meaning. She was pale but she
did not trem5le.


This way, sirs,' she whispered.


As she spoke she turned towards
a door which was situated directly


between the doors of the little bed


room and the pantry. She did moi


open it until both the men had go'


up close behind her.


Don't you hear him breathe?
she whispered.


YES returned both the villains
and they did bear a breathing, bu
lit was the child close at hand.