Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-09-26
avon call on Whitney,s employ.

any letter or messages you may have
to send ready tonight, Whitney, as
we shall start on the ten o'clock train
from the village tomorrow"
Whitney gave a startled glance at
this intelligence, but soon assumed
his usual self-possessed manner.
course the luck!" he muttered, on
reaching his room; 81 would have
married the girl and got some proper
ty in that way, little greenhorn that
she is; but if the old duffer goes to
Stanton and finds out I've never seen
the place, that'll end that matter. So
I'll be forced to get at the strong box,
where l know he keeps a good pile.
The old lady is feeble, and can be
easily managed. Frank Graves and
his father are away threshing, so
there'll be no fear from that quarter.
I'll go over to Lehigh tomorrow for
my old pal, Charles Douglas, tell the
old lady I'll be gone for two or three
days, but come back late in the after
noon, and finish up the job"
He left early in the morning, tell
ing Jessie that the sunshine of the
house would depart with her pre-
sence, and that he did not expect to
"live," but merely to "drag out a
blank existence" until he saw her
again.
A furtive CLEAN of distrust in the
eyes which hitherto had only cast on
him admiring glances, served to fur
ther confirm his purpose of carrying
out his plans that day.
AT nine o'clock carriage drove tC
the door, a curly head was thrust from
the window, then a dainty little foo
was seen on the step, and soon fairy
form was rushing up the walk.
"Why, Dollie," cried Jessie, ecstati
cally, as she fastened on to the porch
els it really you come at last, ant
when l least expected you? How
glad | amp
Then ensued a fervent embrace anC
the interchange of many kisses.
eyes," said Dollie, breathlessly, 4"
was in Stanton visiting a cousin, ant
l would not go back home withou
coming to see YOU"
This welcome arrival quite changed
'JeSsie's plans, and it was hastily de
cided that Mrs. Barnes should accom-
pany her husband, and the two girl
stay at home.
They were enchanted with the pros
pect of long, happy day to them
selves, in which they would talk owe
old school-days, girlish secrets, ney
dresses, and many other charming
things.
The day passed all too rapidly, an
latein theafternoon theybetook them
selves into the parlor to play duet
and sing until the early twilight fell
when supper-getting was in order.
"Don't you feel afraid to be alone
Jessie?" asked Dollie, once.
"Oh, no, mamma and papa wi
come back on the eleven o'clOc
train, and we can put lamp in tn
portfolio window if we feel alarmed
and Frank Graves will come owe
We madethat arrangement with eac
other two years ago, but it never hi
been necessary to carry it into effect.
81 always carry little pistol whe
l travel, and it is in my trunk now
so we can defend ourselves, since yo
are such an expert in target practice,
said Dollie.
A half-hour later a pair of sinist'
eyes peered at the young girls thrOug
the window-blinds, as they still sat
the parlor.
"Jessie and another GIRL" was Il
startled mental comment of the il
, truder. "Bah, the game is not so eaS
as l thought. Cursed creatures, VIII
are they doing here? I'll slip out
the barn and tell Charlie how the lar
J lies"
"Jessie, hear footsteps" said Dc
lie, in a low tone; "let us go quick
/ and lock all the house. 1t may
( some tramp who knows we a
: alone"
The girls acted hastily upon til
: suggestion, and the front and ba'
: doors were closed and barred siml
l taneously as the two men issued fro
r the barn.
? A torrent of muttered curses greet
the sound of the closing doors.
t "They suspect something" VIII
cred Douglas. care you sure the
O are but two of them? l heard sOr
r one answer from up stairs a VIII
49,. .,,l.o,, ono cf tbaYn oolIad ~