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

chair IN the corncfs bno pthtni} oeao
Nv 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 gallsntry which ought to have
made him quick to take the hint.
Kitty's eyes were beginning to twinkle
with amusement at her and his own
embarrassment, when luckily Adam
looked in with the hare, but be forgot
all about Jacks performance in his
pleasure at seeing the cousins so
friendly. " Aha 4" he cried, shut
you are two sly ones--courtin' like
that whenever the old mans backs
turned" and in great glee he went
away and left them.
"wbat do you think Of that, now!"
said Kitty, laughing.
81 wish it was true" said AlecK.
THAT is because you're fool,
said Kitty. {" What on earth should
we be sweetheartin' for? What kind
o. life would you live 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'll toll
and MOL and mourn till the gray hairs
come, and you'll get his money when
you're past enjoying it. That's the
lookout for woman with notion to
you, my lad"
"I'll not deny you've hit it, Kitty.
It's poor spec at the best keeping a
country public the kinds haven't the
money to spend. If | had fathers
savings now I wouldn't bide here past
the term. I'D get place nearer the
pits--them's the lads to spend"
"If were man like you, Aleck,
do you know what I'd do: would
make big try to get these same savings
and bolt. If you were quick and clever
enough they'd never catch you, and you
could change your name and get new
start"
"Ah! I've thought O. that, but the
old ones over cunning. | believe he
wears the key of the big chest always
around his neck"
eff that's all your trouble, I know
where to get key. But would you
not be frightened, Aleck? Folk might
call it robbery"
THAT wouldn't be true. The money
is mine as much as his, for I've worked
hardest for it, and there's a lot Of it
yours, Kitty, and he wouldn't make
much noise about it. He wouldn't dis
grace the name by making it by-word,
and he likes you so much that he
wouldn't seek to get you into bad
trouble. There would be murder,
though. if he got hold of US himself"
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 because of the weighty advice he
had given her. Never had he felt more
serenely happy than on the next Sun
day afternoon. The hare had been
cooked exactly to his liking-the fore
parts in soup, the hind parts in pie
and after dinner that might have
pleased an Emperor, followed by taste
Of his fine old brandy-brandy kept for
the exclusive use Of the fox-hunting
squires who would sometimes lunch at
the Red Lion when their meet was in
the neighborhood-he sailed forth for
his usual Sunday afternoon walk, pipe
in mouth, and Jack and Meg at his
heels.
elf you want bit SPORT" said
Kitty to him as he was going out. take
turn in the forty-acre about dusk"
He had no chance Of asking her mean
ing, for there were others about, but
he said to himself: "Ah she's a sharp
one, is Kit. That means another good
dinner, or I'm cheated" and went his
way.
No sooner was he gone than tre-
mendous hustle began in the public
house, although it was shut on Sun
days. Aleck did not know what to take
and what to leave.
"It's four weary miles we have to
walk into Scotland" said Kitty, $50
the less we have to carry the better,
Aleck. That box II be a weight to
take in itself, lad"
Well have plenty of time, though.
Bet can say we've gone for walk, and
he'll be as pleased as Punch. Have
you opened the chest?"
Yes" said Kitty. Its all right.
The only pity is | could not open the
little box, and you'll have to take it
with u.s."
Darkness was just falling when the
two fugitives emerged from the Red
Lion. The peaceful villagers were all
within doors, for it was bitterly cold,
and the sharp north wind had begun to
drive stray fakes Of snow in front of it.
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 bold push to get
across the border. Many Northum-
brian lad and lass in the old time had
trudged to the altar in that style, but
few Of the gallants carried treasure
with them such as was under Alexis
arms. Many a sharp look the runa-
ways cast on every side, lest there
should be any suspicious witness Of
their fight, but not soul did they see,
and the friendly snow dropped softly
on their treacherous footprints.
Neither said word till they reached
the old willow, near which the brook
was crossed by trembling plank.
Then Kitty grew nervous.
"rm frightened to cross the burn"
she said "go you first"
"Be quick, then," he answered.
"l'll hold it,; and, getting swiftly to
the other side, he seized the end Of the
unsteady bit Of wood.
But, instead of following at once,
Kitty screamed, There's Jack your
father must be chasing u.s.
Aleck stood undecided a moment,
then dashed the frail bridge into the
wafer o. Hide where Won CAM he