Year: 1877

al the hunters CABIN ana although
the intervals between his visits
were long, yet be seemed almost
a fixture to the place. Polly Bur-
nap, just in the bloom of woman
hood, knew his gentle, generous,
noble character, so she felt per-
fectly free and at home in his pres
ence.


as it not known on the route
that your load Is valuable 7" asked
Polly.


81 think not-though It may be.
Still, am well armed, and fancy
it would be a very tough job for
any one to tackle old Morton"


"a man was robbed on the creek
a few days ago"


"And the robbers have fed"
added Morton, carelessly, as he
drew his mail-tsgs after him.


Morton went to bed at nine
o'clock, as he was tired from his
long ride. Polly had work to do,
having neglected it while talking
to her guest; 30 when she had seen
him safe at rest she drew her
basket TO little table where the
candle was and went to work upon
some clothing for her child, who
was soundly sleeping in a corner.


The old German clock upon the
wall, with its great weight and
wind strings all exposed, had just
struck ten ere Polly rose from her
work. She had Just pushed the
basket beneath the table when the
front door opened and two men en-
tered. They were in their stock
ings. their shoes having been left
outside.


"Hush !" uttered the foremost
intruder, "speak one word above
a whisper, and you die !"


Polly recovered from her quick
terror and looked up. She saw
two stout, wicked, ugly looking
men, one held O cooked pistol to-
ward her. With a quickness of
perception natural to her, she knew
the pistol would not be fred if she
held her peace, as that wonld make
more noise than she could make !;
and further, she recognized in the
foremost q notorious villain who
bore the name of Dick Gallus.


She bad never seen him before,
but the minute description her hus-
band had given of the man led her
TO know him--and positively, too,
for one big scar on the left cheek
was mark enough.


"Whst do you want I" asked
Polly, without betraying the least
fear.


1--WE have come to see the mail
carrier" one replied. in hoarse
whisper; "where is he Z"


"He is long since asleep. Would
it not do as well to see him in the
morningi We can find you room
and lodging"


The fair hostess had said this for
the purpose of gaining time. She
knew very well that these men had
come to rob the carrier, and was
equally sure that they would mur-
der him if they could, and would
in all probability put her out of the
way as well. They had evidently
learned of the valuable load he car.
r;ed, and meant to carry it In his
stead.


"Never mind his being asleep
Show US where be is at once,"I
replied Gallus, in answer
to Polly's last remark.


"But can call him, good sirs,"
reasoned the woman calmly, though
there was alarm in her soul


"Call him :" growled the villain,
with a fierce oath. "You call him,
and you will be called to another
world. Quick, show us the way"


The mild eye that could aim an
unerring bullet at the forest beast
did not even betray the thoughts
of the woman's soul, nor did a look
tell her meaning. She was very
pale, hut did not tremble.


"This way, sirs," she whispered.


And as she spoke she turned to-
ward a side door. She did not