Year: 1862

beds


"MiIly Dean, for that l believe is your
name, you cannot deceive NE. You are alone
in this house. took particular care to ascer-
tain that before 1 came. So you may as well
make yourself easy on that score and do as l
bid YOU


DO as you bid me ?" exclaimed Milly, in
terror what do you want of me-"


d" l want the twelve hundred dollars in gold
your husband received for his produce two
days ago You probably know where it is


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


You cannot escape me, young woman" he
said. You will find it most convenient to
make clean breast OF it at once. It will be
better for you"


Milly strove TO release her arm. The rough
treatment she received aroused her temper and
indignation oyercame all other feelings.


Let NE 60, you scouudrel, let me 60, or I
viii call for help" she cried.


Call, you fool, said the brutal fellow,
and much good may it do you Keep still
and tell me where the money is"


Il will not, she exclaimed, her eyes fash
ing fire.


You viii not, he then replied we shall
see"


He released her wrist so violently that she
reeled half way across the room. Then he
seized the infant from its cradle and held It at
arms length in the fire, so that its terrified
mother expected 10 see the light garments
catch the fame.


Now then. where is the money? Speak
out quick, or hear your baby shrek with pain,
I'll burn it to death before your eyes if you do
not tell me where the money is"


Monster. give me my child " shrieked Milly,
endeavorng to reach the little one. "Let NE
have my baby"


But every effort was frustrated, for again
and again the strong hand of the robber thrust
her back


See, its clothes will be on fire IN a minute"
said the man, putting the helpless innocent
closer to the flames The mother looked at his
eyes. She saw there the look of heartless
determination, She became aware the cotton
garments Of the child were smoking with heat.


How shall it be ?" asked the rulfian.-
" Hurry, or the child dies. have no time TO
waste here"


Anything, only give me my child, she
cried The next instant it was handed to 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 is"


In the box Oh the upper shelf" she replied
pointing to the closet.


The man found the box, placed it on the
table and said So far well. 1t is nearly
all gold. | will pocket it with your leave or
without your leave just as you please" He
filed his pocket with the golden coin, and
threw the empty box into the fire. Then he
came and stood beside her


Put the baby in the cradle, if you wish to
save its life. have other business for you


What do you mean ?" cried Mlly, eyeing
the man with suspicion.


Let me have it" he said, trying to take it
from her


No. no, will put the baby in the cradle
myself; you shall not tonch the poor little
thing. Now. sir, she Continued, almost chok-
ing with excitement, what is it ?" After hay
ing laid the pretty infant on its dOwny place of
rest, she stood erect waiting the reply.


Il am going 10 kill YOU said the man.


Kill NE ?" she exclaimed, her face growing
pale with terror xiii me What have l
ever done to you that you should kill me:"


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


"Oh, sir, let me live. Have you not done
enough to take my husbands money, without
depriving him Of his wife too will never
say one word against you if you will spare me,
only spare me =


As she spoke. she clasped he hands and look
ed imploringly at him.


1 an sorry that I cannot safely grant your
request" he responded. There is mo help for
it, so come along out DOORS


He reached out his hand to grasp Milly.
But the instinct of self preservation was strong
upon her She evaded him, few TO the chin
ney piece, snatcbed her husbands loaded rife
from the hooks on which it hung, cooked ii
and presented il at the breast of the robber
Her motions were so rapid, before he could
prevent 1t her finger had pressed the trigger,
and there was an explosion. But with equal
readiness the man stepped aside, the ball had
passed over his head and the next instant bis
grip was on her throat.


Il viii teach you to handle arms, he said.
You would have killed me would you will
show you trick worth two of that


Mercy, mercy" cried the terrified woman.