Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-03-14


poacher, and the temptation was quite
too strong for Adam The very dogs, by
the eager way in which they started UP to
follow him, seemed TO see a chance Of
sport in his looks.
He was no snoner gone than Kitty did a
very curious thing Running to her own
apartment, She hurriedly produced a big
gish bunch uf old keys, and began tryinS
the lock Of Adams chest until she got
one To- fit Then she opened it, and looked
i'll. But no pile of gold met her eye.
Adam had second box within the big
one. and it. too. was locked, Kitty did not
seem at all disappointed. Without touch
ing anything in the box. she let the lid
fall. carefully locked it, and put her keys
back where She had found them.
Had Willie Allan been there to watch
her next proceedings he would have been
hurt and surprised. for the little tlirt, after
smartening herself up before the mirror,
proceeded to the kitchen, where Aleck
was busy polishing the harness Of the doc
tors horse. which happened TO be kept at
the Red Lion EnsconCing herself snugly
in the armchair in the corner, she plainly
said by look and movement, Come, WOO
me Though Aleck her clumsy lover
did not Lack the inclination TO respond, he
possessed none Of that spirit of gallantry
which ought To have made him quick TO
take the hint Kitty's eyes were begin
ming to twinkle with amusement at her
and his own embarrassment, when,
luckily. Adam looked in with the hare;
but he forgot all about Jack : perform
anCe in his pleasure at seeing the cousins
SO friendly.
Aha" he cried, but you are two sly
ones-courtin' like that whenever the old
mans back sturned" and i'll great glee he
went away aud left them.
What do You think Of that, nOw?' said
Kitty. laughing.
| wish II was true" said AleCk.
That is because you are n fool" said
Kitty What on earth should we be
sweetheartin' for? What kind o life
would you lead here if You were married,
SANDY As long As Adam Blacks here
and that may be twenty years yet-Adam
Black will be master. And as for you,
you II toll and MOL and mourn till the
gray hairs come, and you II get his money
when you're past enjoying it. That the
lookout for "A woman with a notion to you.
my lad"
III not deny you've hit it, Kitty. It's
poor spec at the best, keeping a country
public; the hinds haven't the money To
spend. If had fathers savings now
wouldn't hide here past the term. Id get
a place nearer the pits-them' the lads TO
spend"
III | were a man like you, Aleck. do
YOU know what Id dOy | would make "A
big try to get these same savings and
bolt. If you were quick and clever enough
.hay'l tsafrh md MID
change your name and get a new start
All. I've thought o that, but the old
ones over cunnin'. | believe he wears
the key of the big chest always around his
neck"
If that's all your trouble, know
where to get key. But would you not
be frightened, Aleck: Folks might call it
robbery"
That wouldn't he true. The money is
mine as much a. his, for I've Orked hard
st for ii, and there's lot of it yours,
Kitty. and he Woultn't make much noise
about it. He wouldn't disgrace the name
by making il "a byword. and he likes you
So much that he wouldn't seek TO get you
into bad trouble There would be muir
der. though. if he got hold of us him
Eeif"
That was the way in which the elope-
ment was planned. During the next few
days the cousins were in almost constant
conversation. and even shrewd Adam was
deceived. and thought, poor man, that
his niece had forsaken Willie Allan,
not from any mercenary motives, but be-
cause Of the wrighJy advice he had given
her
If You want a bit sport" said Kitty to
Willie Allan one day. take u turn in the
forty acre about dusk"
He had no chance OF asking her mean
ing. for there were others about, SO he
said to himself:
A she's sharp one, is Kit. That
means good dinner, or IN cheated, and
went his way.
No sooner was he gone than tremend-
Gus hustle began in the public house,
it WAS shut on sundays Aleck
did not know what 10 take and what 10
leave
Its four weary miles we have TO walk
into Scotland" said Kitty. so the less we
have to carry the better. Aleck That
box'll be weight TO take i'll itself, lad"
Wen have plenty Of time though Bet
can say we've gone FOR a walk. and he'll
DS a. pittiNtt tiS 1 tAI SIi. hdNG gOu Optutu
the chest"
Yes" said Kitty its all right The
only pity Is | cuuhi II open the little box,
and you'll have to take it with us"
Darkness was just falling when the
two fugitiveS emerged from the Red Lion
Which way should they take' There
could be no doubt of that; down the hill |
by the foot road, across the brook by the /
single plank bridge, through the wood /
until the highway was reached. and then .
Z bold push to get across the border. |
Neither said word till they reached the /
Did willow. near which the brook was
,rossed by trembling plank. Then /
Kitty grew nervous.
I'm frightened to cross the burn" she /
said go You first
BE quick then" he answered I'm !
hold it; and, getting swiftly to the other
side. he seized the end Of the unsteady bit I
If wood.
But instead Of following at once Kitty !
screamed:
There's Jack; your father must be
,hasing us" /
Aleck stood undecided moment, then .
dashed the frail bridge into the water
Hide where you can" he shouted. He
ant jump the burn, and III make off .
with the money"
"Oh, he'll kill me-" pleaded the girl
Don't run away from me, AleCk.'
You shouldn't have been so slow he
etortod, with the box already under his
rm.
stop. y"u blackguardly thief Stop,
ay' honr~cly shouted his father. running
lp from where he had been looking afte.
ONE rabbits. But the son turned in ter.
ar and licd-not far. however. for a new
omrr appeared on the scene Willie
Allan. true to his appointment with Kitty,
hough he hardly expected to see her,
merged from the wood.