Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-03-21
A Thrilling Romance.
offence and Defence.

Luke Dalton was a sturdy fellow, of some 80
years of age, passionately fond OF his wife, and
devotedly attached to his child On the whole,
he was good sort OF man, although, like many
Of his CLASS, he was easily led away from the
paths of virtue by evil companions. For week
he would return every night by six o'clock to the
cottage for tea, and on the eighth day would not
turn up until two 10 the morning. With this ex-
ception he was thoroughly domesticated In his
tastes. and drank less beer and brought home
more money than many OF his work-mates. His
wife was pretty little woman, who had sacrificed
comfortable home to accept him for her hus-
band.
1t was six O'Clock on .au October evening. -
Mrs. Dalton had finished laying the tea things
and little Mary was play ing on tho rug before
the fire.
Now, then, my dear" said Mrs. Dalton, "let
your play alone aud fetch me the tea-caddy while
90 and get the kettle Your father will be here
directly"
SO Mary went to the cupboard to fetch the tea
caddy. Bye-and-bye Luke came IN looking any.
tLing but cheerful However, hs kissed his child
and noddihg at Fanny sat quietly down to the
table.
ANY news, father?" asked his vile, cutting u
large huneh OF bread from the loaf before her.
"None," he replied, suriily, sunless it be that
saw the young squire coming away from the cot
tage this afternoon"
'oh, yes. Why, Luke he came in here; what
THAT hue gentlemen should learn to know
their places, aud keep from poking their noses
into poor men 9 houses"
"He only wanted hight for his pipe.n
Il would have given him something more than
that If had been here" said Luke, viciously
and he gulped down lot OF hot tea.
Fanny rose from the table and placed her hand
| upon her husbands shoulder.
You can't bs seriousy" she said.
81 was never more serious in my life, y he re
piled, looking sideways, and away from his wife
l Dalton was silent, bat he nodded his head an
griS.
/ ~ won't have 1t, father-you can't be serious
| Why, my boy, haven't been good girl to you
| Don't love you with all my heart and soul ant
you know it you silly fellow, now don't you"
She stopped down and put her pretty face clos,
to his aud kissed him. They were TWO poor
homely creatures; but human nature you see, /!
human nature all the world over.
He was surly for moment, but for a singl,
moment only, and then he returned his wife,
embrace. .s@F8
"Hang me, Fanny but you are really q righ
down good one, that you ale, and waa = iool t.
dousl YOU 60
That You wers.P gsplied Fanny laughing sau
sRut YOU see, my girl, You are deal too goo'
for me.n
"Of course | am."
"Aud when l think Of your pretty face, ant
would have been in your fathers home"
"Minding the cheeses aud measuring yards o
hannel--eh, you goose:
1 well, what have you goi instead of II ?"
"Why, you, of course, although YOU don't de
Il serve to he told sor-and Mtle Mary aud dea
little cosy home
"You are u good un, Fanny. There, my girl
mark my works-so long as live will never b
jealous again"
"Jealous! Why, you great big stupid, don
YOU think that would stick TO YOU before an
| one? Why, Lake, II the Shah OF Persia was 4
come here aud offer 10 make me queen OF Arabs
| what do YOU think would sayy would SEN
| for u policeman, and give him IN custody for hl
limpudsnce, that would, us sure as my name
Fanny Dalton,P
"0f course but then you see, that their cha
is a fu-riner, while young squire LAWS l.
| "a tine young man, with NO more harm !
Linn than that pretty rabbit that Mary ia playin
with" ...
| "You afe always right, Fanny Well, wi
never say another work about II as long us live
but what could thinkR
"Think-why, OF your tea which 10 gettin
cold while We are taking. There, nnish like
daar old boy, while get your pipe.
And 20 the matrimonial lin ended- But thsi
was litts uueasinsss in Luke's mind, IN spite
/ his reassuring words. =HA
II 1t eyidentually appeared that the secret anus,
ment III which Luke Dalton indulged was poac
ing The companions he was wont 10 meet
the village alehouse served to form a band whis
| he was the acknowledged leader, By-and-by oi
: l'Sauire LAWS up at ths house got scent Of Il
tdspredations, hnd the guards OF the woods and y
z lstubble were doubled. The nsHa of the NOV
q | while filling Luke's companions with disma
:, gave tho leader of the band unqualified satisia
Ition.
I "New. it really will bs fun" he said, when Il
tactics OF LAWS were explained to him. I'VE shs
INV lads, and leave your suns for the patrdges Al
{pheasants."