Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-02-17

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"Will you explain yourselves, gen
| tlemen!' | asked, trying to smile.
/ Yes, | VIII, answered the big one.
Certainly" growled the corpulent
| gentleman, with grim smile.
Come this way, you rascalw said
the tall one, drawing me along with
| him.
His companion followed us out back
of the station, where we were out of
| sight and hearing Of tho rest of u.
'Now," said the tall gentleman, turn
| ing and confronting me, "Ill Introduce
myself. | am Captain Augustus
Boyton This gentleman is my father,
John Boyton. Do you know us now"
"Well, really" | replied, wondering
in my own mind what the deuce was
coming; really, / don't know anything
more about you than what you've just
told"
Hush" said the captain; and he
bent down and Kissed in my ear, 81
am Carrie Boyton's brother"
"And am her father, growled John
Boyton.
"Ah, really, do you say SOP | could
not help smiling, the whole affair seem
ed SO ridiculous. GIVE my regards to
Carrie"
"Ha! you laugh at us, do you vii
lain?" cried the captain. Look ere"
said he, lowering his voice to horrid
whisper. Look at ese."
| did look; for ust then he drew
from the pocket Of his brown overcoat
a handsome case, and opening it, dis
played pair of splendid silver-mount-
ed dueling pistols.
Take your choice"
A cold tremor ran through my frame
Was | to be murdered?
Choose quick" urged the captain,
Sir" SAID |, in tremulous voice,
while the cold drops of perspiration
stood out upon my brow, there mu
must be some mistake. Pm book
keeper for Brown Il Co., dealers in
hides and tallow. My father was Nor
ton McDougal, my mother was Mary
McDougal, my grandfather WAS"
"Confound your grandfather Either
marry my sister "a you promised to do
a month ago, or take one of these pis-
tois and"
"Ohl help
DRY up, you whelp," and the cap
clapped his broad hand over my
mouth.
Choose quick, youngster," said the
older Boynton.
Il won't fight" | cried.
''Then marry my sister, or Wen drag
you through the mill pond"
1t was useless for me to demonstrate.
1, 60
and son that | was not the villain Nc
DOlan. | dare not cry for help
What should | do. Marry woman
whom ! never saw before, whom |
knew nothing about? | had little time
to consider. Life was sweet to me, a
ducking was disagreeable, and rs to a
duel | should have been dead man ut
the first shot.
Choose said the captain, giving
me n kick with his boot.
81 III mar-marry her"
"All right"
And the captain smiled grimly rs he |
returned the pistol to the case.
The elder Mr.. Boynton went after the |
carriage; but before | had ceased to
tremble he returned
The captain helped me in, and then !
seated between the chiyalric father and |
son, | rode away.
There were plenty of peoply on the |
street, bat | was warned not to shout if |
| knew what was healthy for me.
We rode mt smart trot for about |
two miles | should think; and then the |
captain drew rein before a large two |
story white house, that stood near the |
road, surrounded by d nigh white fence. |
There was II gravel walk up to the front
door, and several large cherry trees |
stood in the front yard.
Here we are, said the captain, get |
ting down, and motiOning me To fol- |
low.
The door opened Just as we reached |
it, and who should fall into my arms
but the Identical young lady who had
made such a strong impression upon
my heart the night of the Lecture in
W
con, John, knew YOU would be
true she cried, and the captain !
snickered * he led the way into the
parlor,
But once there succeeded incorlvinc-
ing Miss Boyton that | was not Me !
Dolan. Her father apologized, and so
did the captain and the upshot of MI !
was that | consented to stop over night |
with them. and am happy to state
that passed very pleasant evening
indeed
| learned. too, thai this John McDo-
Ian, for whom had been taken, was a |
gentleman Of wealth and leisure with |
only one fault. and thAt WIS PROMISING |