Year: 1872

reputation Of fearing nothing; certainly
we had not thought of fear 10 this case. |
confess secretly examinded papa's stock
Of fire arms, after hearing the gossip and
snuggled several Of the necessary nuisa noes
into my room. besides coaxing Watch to
sleep iD the kitchen-to AIMS great dis
gust. The week was half over when we
t,ok fancy to drive to the village, and
indulge in the luxury of shopping
some Slight alterations


AS We entered the establishment, my
attention was attracted ty two men who
were sta. ing at US most impudently Mr.
Ernst was an old friend of ours; we chat
ted with him some little time.


$50 you are head of tie household, Miss
Sue. III warrant you double-loock all the
doors, anu start at every noise in the night.
Isn't it true, Miss Madge?"


Madge Indignantly disclaimed such
weakness on my part, assuring him that
the doors had chronic dislike to being
locked, and We were strangers to anything
50 weak minded as fear


"A thousand pardons I might have
known that you we're as brave as a reg
iment of men When will your father
return? What not until Saturday! Well,
you are two courageous young ladies'"


Just then | turned my head. and there
[ saw those two men seemingly absorbed
in the jewels displayed in the case. Such
queer feeling crept over me. Something
impelled me to boast OF m, skill iu shoot
ing.


sit wouldn't be safe for burglars to
visit US. You know papa drilled me well
in the use of firearms"


"Sure enough He does persist in de-
claring you are proficient it, that accom-
plishment. l had forgotten that. Pray
don't expect me 10 make raid upon your
jewel casket now.


Il II through town thos men followed US,
uutil grew nervous as a witch. Madg,
did not appear to notice them, and was
ashamed tc speak of it lest she should
laugh at me.


We had company until late that evening.
1t was eleven when the last guest departed.
Madge was in the library looking for a
book when heard stealthy step oD the
side porch | few to the door, as it fash
ed upon me that it was unlocked / had
hardly got it fastened when felt the knob
turn softly ran to fasten the all door,
AS did SO some one came running over
the porch, up the steps of the piazza
The door was wide open. Now | distinct
ly remembered closing it after bidding my
friends good might. My hands shook 80
tina. could scarcely turn the key. Every
moment seemed an hour to M. Stealing
softly INTO the par or l parted the curtains
and looked out


1t was bright moonlight evening, and
there. crouched in the corner Of the piaz
"a right by the door, | could plainly see
man evidently expecting some the to come
to the door, l recognized him as one Of
the men who had annoyed ME so in the
village, and NY heart stood still as though
of the open door Might not the other
one have Ell tered the house by it? |
trembled from head to foot at the thought


glanced into the library. Madge was
hummiug song, aud looking so happy
that had no' the heart to disturb her.
but went quietly down to the kitchen alone.
bent on arousing Watch to the emergen
ces of the occasion | never knew be-
fore that the house bad so many doors aud
so many dark nooks At every one
expected that wretch to step out and seize
me. | was sure some one was close be-
hind ME going down stairs My heart
leaped into my mouth. But, no it was
only the rusting of my dress Watch
was always my most obedient servant, and
he seemed to understand what was wanted
of him. The mou,ent l opened the door
ont he darted, with such savage growl,
that was half afraid OF him myself. A
series of y,lps, then scream aud an oath,
told me that Watch had found his game.
| could hear them rushing through the
shrubery Presently there was a great
noise, more oaths, and knew the man had
fallen ov,r the wall in the back yard,
which raised it several feet from the garden


Frightened as | was, could not help
laughing. l knew Watch would be faith
full, so no longer feared the outsider.


My chief desire now was to reach my
ROOM that hal strong lock.


"What on earth is the matter 7" asked
Madge


With laugh bade her wait until we
we're in our room before she made me tell
long story.


The door was open, and as | reached the
head of the stairs the moonlight showed
me distinctly in the large mirror the re6ec-
ton of a man hurriedly secretIng himself
in the wardrobe.


Frightened nearly to death, l stood a
moment undecided what to do. There
wasn't a room in the house where we
would be safe / thought of. the three
revolvers hidden in the bureau. aud decid
ed to beard the lion in his der


1t h.pened that Madge and myself we're
exrert in the use of the deaf-and dumb
alphabet it had served us many good
turn, and resolved it should now.
Madse was in an unusually talkative
mood-talked necessarily as che unfastened
her long hair. never sew h look more
lovely | managed to attract her attention,
while with With my fingers / said:
.Maa in the wardrobe Saw him.
Keep quiet. Three revolvers 10 the bn-
resu. Guess we can take care OF him ;


Every PARTICLE Of color left her face,