Year: 1871

she saw that the animals paw and tail
were crect--her eyes had changed to
glossy green of rage and terror, and with
slow, panther-lile tread, she was making
her way toward the door which opened
upon the cellar stairway.


And while she gazed, Margaret saw
with horror that the latch was slowly
lifting, and the next moment the door
opened with an ominous creak, and Il
man stepped into the room He was n
short, thick set fellow, with sandy hair
and whiskers, and pale, ferocious-look-
ing eye. set far back in his head.


$50 no, my dear" said he. .syou are
sole proprietor, it appears?''


For an instant Margaret's heart stood
still, but she was naturally brave girl
and she was proud as WELL and would
not allow this man to see that she feared
him.


Il have that honor she replied coolly
"Who are you? And what do you want?"


81 trust you will excuse me if l neg
lect to introduce myself" said the man,
with much courtesy-"as for my busi-
neos, l am quite happy to inform you
about that. | want that eight thousand
dollars that the Judge brought from
Rindgely bank last night, and l depend
on you to point it out TO me-"


The indignant blood rushed to Mar
garets face, and she sharply answered:


Il will die before | will do what you
ask"


You shall have your choice"


He produced n revolver, which he cock
ed deliberately, and pointed at her head.


"Now show me the place where the
case is hidden, or I'll blow your brains
out"


Like lightning varied train of thought
rushed through the head of the girl; in
that one instant Of time she thought of q
score Of plans to cvadc the rascal, and
simultaneously discarded them as i'm
practicable.


There she was alone, weak and help
less girl, almost 4 mile from any other
human habitation, and in such storm
it was by no means likely that any one
would be passing by from whom she
could claim assistance.


For y second she thought of risking
everything to escape by the other door,
and, trusting to the darkness and her in
innate knowledge of the way, to attempt
TO reach Mr.. Turner's and seek protec-
ton.


But the man seemed to divine her
thoughts, for he stepped between her
and the door.


game on mn,' he said, with 4 sardonic
grin. "And now I'll give you Just three
minutes to decide what you'll do If
you will show me only where the money
is, | will swear to do you no harm; if
you refuse, swear to kill you, and trust
to luck TO finding it without your help"


lie took out his watch, and stood re-
garding ii and Margaret alternately. As
she stood there, faint and giddy with
fear, a new idea penetrated Margaret's
blain, and she was Just in that state of
desperation which stops at no sacrifice,
however great. Come life or death, she
must save the money for which her kind
friends had toiled SO long and earnestly
and the loss of which would involve them
in ruin. And she thought she saw a way
to do it, although it would compass her
destruction.


You may put up your pistol" she
said calmly. 81 will show you where


mats sensible, my dear" SAID the
man. at amt often that sense and u
pretty face 90 together, But you're an
exception. Come You must be lively
now


She took candle from the table, Sc
lectcd one key from q bunch in the bas-
ket hanging from the wall and badc him
follow her.


She led him up the stairs to the door
Of the oak closet, applied the key, and
opening the door, pointed to the black
box in the tarthest corner of the closet


''You will find what You seek in there, "
she said


She stepped back for him to enter, but
he seized her by the wrist, and pulled
her along with him.


Il know your game" said he; ''you
would get me into this cursed close hole
and then lock the door on me. Take out
the key and fling it down the stairs, and
come in along with me. | shan't eat
YOU


She obeycd him literally; and as they
stood together in the sitting place, which
was hardly large enough to contain them.
Margaret, with the hand which she had
left free, seized on the door and closed
it.


1t shut with y sharp click-shut and
locked at the same time.


A fierce oath burst from the lips of the
burglar.


"What do you mean ?" he cried. "Hell
and turics! shall sutfocate here! Open
that door or will shoot you.'


'Do as you please" said Margaret,
defiantly; ''The door has a spring lock,
and can be opened only from the outside,
and unless some one comes to our release
we shall remain here until we die, which
will be q few hours al most"


"You she-devil! Why have you done
this?" he demancd, hoarsc with rage.
''Don't you know that you will die, too ?"


"Certainly; but l prefer death to the
ruin of my best friends. If we die here
rs we shall without loubt-the money
will be saved"


The oaths, and threats and curses of
the man were fearful, but Margaret felt
no lear Something above and beyond
herself sustained her, and she was happy in
the consciousness that her life would
purchase the old home for her kind ben
efactors.


The close, torpid air weighed upon
her like lead already had the wretch
who was her companion sank stupefied
to the floor. All her past life came up
before her; she remembered things long
ago forgotten-she saw faces dead and
burled-she heard voices long mute be-
meath the grave clods, and then life and
sense faded out and she knew no more.


Judge Wallace found his sister better,
but the storm coming on, it was deemed
best to remain all night; but early next
morning he set out for home accompan-
led by his wife.


Arriving in sight of the house he was sur
prised to see the shutters still closed and
the chimney giving out no smoke OF well
come.


At the gate young man was tying
horse, and the Judge exclaimed to his
wife:


''Bless my life, Annie, that's Algernon
There's no mistaking him. He's month
earlier home than we expected him. But
| greatly fear something g is amiss with
Margie! She's an early riser and the
shutters are yet closed"


He whipped up his horse, and very
soon he had his long absent son by the
hand.


The first warm greetings over, the
Tn - tJo