Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-14

its object out OF reach, auu Whhe
landed a lcft-hander like horses kick
lust above the right eye Of his oppo.
nent. who fell ell his length on the
snow. and in trice was Invested of his
knife, which the conqueror threw con-
temptuously into the brook. Get up
and fight like man." he said. but
Aleck was beaten.
Adam was in ecstacies. Bring
the box round, lad; never mind that
villain"
Willie lifted it, but on feeling the
weight, mo, no." he replied, drop
ping it quickly, she can take it back
himself. Lift it up and wade" he
said. land if you drop it or try any
tricks I'll bray your head into putty"
"Let me carry it round by the big
BRIDGE" besought the now thoroughly
cowed Sandy.
mo, by heaven" said the other,
Z" through the burn you co.; and,
willing or not, he forced him to ford
the current, which q moment after he
himself cleared in running leap.
"What is it all about?" he then
found time to ask.
"You've stopped bit ugly work,
I'm thinking" said Adam, upon whom
the full extent of the crime began to
dawn. as he dimly recognized the shape,
size, and weight Of his money-box in
the clouded, uncertain light. "These
two have been trying to rob me-"
"Never " said Willie. kitty,
you wouldn't do that:'
"Come up and make sure" said
Adam.
With that they all began silently to
retrace their steps, only KITTY slipping
away in front as if to avoid embarrass-
ing questions. Willie was very thought
full. Just as they were coming to the
door he said to Adam in a low, trou-
bled voice, which he tried hard to make
Indifferent: Look here, Adam you
haven't lost any thing by this row, and
there isn't much use in exposing her,
is there?"
"No," was the reply; shut since
they're so fond Ill make them marry
and set up house by themselves
With that they entered the kitchen,
where Aleck. all shiyering with his
bath. deposited the box on the floor.
A cheerful freight showed Kitty, not,
as might have been expected, with
abasbed countenance and the demeanor
of a culprit awaiting justice, but with
heightened color and sparkling eyes
far BONNER than ever, as her old lover
could not help thinking.
There's your true blood" she said
TO Adam, but pointing to his son,
land this has been a fine nights work
for him. 1t began with robbing you
that's done so much for him; then the
sweetheart that liked him so we'll as to
run away with him he left on the wrong
side Of the burn; and then to draw his
knife on an honest man You'll never
seek to make me wed him now"
That you shall, you shameless
hussy." broke out her uncle. " You're
not fit for Allan, and I'm sure from
what I've seen this night he wouldn't
look at thief"
"No, couldn't do that" said Will
lie; . but there's no need for me here,
and with sad and regretful cOunte.
nance he was about to leave when he
was stopped by burst of mischievous
laughter from the impenitent but be-
witching culprit.
ats Bets box" she said.
"Bet's box :" said Aleck; and
Bets box " echoed Adam and Viii
lie.
"Aye, Bets box" said Kitty.
Sure enough it's not my box.
said the uncle, dragging it into the
light; :" it's the same size, but not the
color. But whatever is making it so
heavy"
That was soon discovered. The red
headed servant-girl came forward with
smile on her gaping mouth that sug-
gested the part she had taken in the
trick. "There's a stone Of shot" she
said. " and there's the horseshoeS from
the back yard, and there's the rusty
keys that used to lie in the stable, and
here's my old petticOats stuffed IN to
keep them from jingling, and she
added, :" the weights and the hatiron.
"By George :" said Willie, "he
must have meant to start pack.
Would you have stabbed me to save
that dirt?"
4" lie didn't know what 1t was" Kitty
answered for him. :" just wanted tC
try his mettle, so | put this box ii
the room Of the other one, and it's back
in its place now, neither touched nor
opened"
" I'm glad O. that, lass" said the
old publican, and though there was not
much in the words, there was a some
thing in the voice that made them sink
deep. /" 1t would have been a bad day
for me when | found you turning agains
me. But, Willie, lad, if you want tt
catch this skittish filly, you'd better be
quick. Down to the minister's You g
tomorrow and get your names asked
and as for you, you lubberly sumph
after making a fool of yourself like thai
what's to come of you?"
Marry him to Bet," suggested
Kitty.
THE very ticket" returned he
uncle. will you have him, Bet: "
AYE, that will l." said the laconi
maid.
You'll go down to the minister
as we'll, then," said Adam to Aleck
"And now. lass, bring US drop o.
that brandy, and put the Kettle on anC
bring the sugar and we'll christen tn,
bargain"
So few weeks afterward there wer,
two weddings in Blackford, and wher
the lads of the village "roped " Willie
Allan he gave them a whole half-sov
eTeign to drink, and was therefor
allowed to enter the croft house with
thunderstorm of cheers; but wher
they did the same thing to Aleck h
morosely cut the rope with
knife, and that is why he ha
been so unlucky ever since for i
you 90 to Blackford now yol
will find the croft house to be tn