The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-03-18

hustle began in the public house, although
1t was shut on Sundays Aleck did moi
know what to take and b to leave.
Its four weary miles we have to walk
into Scotland, +" said Kitty, $50 the less we
have to carry the better, Aleck. Thai
box'll be a weight to take in itself, lad.n
ter say we've gone for a walk. and he'll be
as pleased as Punch. Have you opened the
chest2"
EYES," said Kitty; 'it's all right. The
only pity is 1 could not open the little box,
and you'll have to a k 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 flakes
they take2 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 a bold push to get across
the Border. Many a Northumbrian lad and
lass in the old times had trudged to the
altar in that style, but few of the gallants
carried a treasure with them such as was
under Alexis arm. Many q sharp look the
runaWays cast on every side, lest there
flight, but not a soul did they see, and the
friendly snow dropped softly on their
treacherous footprints. Neither said a
word till they reached the old willow, near
WHICH UQ6 DTOOk was CrOSS6Q DY a Ur6uDl1QR
plank. Then Kittie grew nervous.
Pm frightened to cross the burn" she
said; ego you first"
s'Be quick them" he answered. 'I'll
hold it," and, getting swiftly to the other
side, he seized the end Of the unsteady bit
But, instead Of following at once, Kitty
screamed; There's Jackl your father
must be chasing u.s."
Aleck stood undecided a moment, then
dashed the frail bridge into the water.
Hide where you CAM" he shouted, che
CAM jump the burn. and I'll make off with
the money"
Don't run away from me, Aleck."
"You shouldn't have been SO Slow" he
retorted, with the box already under his
arm.
'Stop. you blackguardly theft Stop, I
say !" hoarsely shouted his father, running
up from where he had been looking after
some rabbits. But the son turned in terror
and fed-not far, however, for anew-comer
appeared on the scene. Willie Allan, true
to his appointment with Kitty, though he
hardly expected to see her, emerged from
the wood. "Hulloa," he said, placing him
self in front of the runaway. whats ups"
Fell him dead!" yelled Adam.
"Let him co." said Kitty, but SO softly
that her lover could not make out what she
said.
"You'd better turn back" he said to
Aleck, but the fugitive, brought to bay, was
"tet me be-" he said, "or by - rn
stab you" drawing a clasp-knife from his
pocket.
sYou scoundrel 7" cried the other, in a
white heat, "would you commit murder2"
: Willie was credited with possessing more
science" b any other man in Black
ford, and where will you find good boxing
if not in North Northumberland He made
a feint, and the vengeful blade of his adver-
sary glittered in a momentary streak of
moonlight, but to no purpose, for a side
leap carried its object out of reach, and
Willie landed a left-hander, like a horses
kick, just above the right eye of his oppo-
nent, who fell all his length on the snow, and
in a trice was Invested Of his knife, which
the ~conqueror threw contemptuously into
the brook. 'Get up and fight like q man.
he said, but Aleck was beaten.
Adam was in ecstasies. Bring the box
round, lad; never mind that villain"
Willie lifted it; but on feeling the weight,
"No, no." he replied, dropping it quickly,
''he can take it back himself. Lift it up
try any tricks ri bray your head into
putty"
'Let me carry it round by the big
bridgen besought the now thoroughly
mo, BY eaven 7" saidthe other, Through
the burn you go;'' and, willing or not, he
forced him to ford the current, which a
moment after he himself cleared in a run
ming leap.
sWhat is it all abe It2n he then found
time to ask.
you've stopped a bit of ugly work, Pm
thfnking,n 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.n
"Neverw said Willie. "Kitty, you
wouldn't do thats"
"Come up and make sure" said Adam.
With that they all began silently to re-
in front as if to avoid embarrassing ques-
tions. Willie was very thoughtful. Just
as they were coming to the door he said to
Adam in a low, troubled voice, which he
tried hard to makei Indifferent: Look here,
Adam, you haven't lost anything by this
row, and there isn't much use in exposing
her. is therea"
tsNo," was the reply, ''but since they're
so fond Tll make them marry I'M set up
house by themselves" With that they en-
tered the kitchen, where Aleck, all SILVER
ing with his bath, deposited the box on the
floor. A cheerful freight showed Kitty,
not, as might have been expected, with
abashed countenance and the demeanor of
a culprit awaiting Justice, but with height
ened color and sparkling eyes-far BONNER
than ever, as her old lover could not help
thinking.
s'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
much for him; then the sweetheart that
liked him so well 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
nows"
THAT you shall, you shameless hussy,"
broke out her uncle. ssYou're not fit for
Allan, and Pm sure from what I've seen
this night he wouldn't look at a thief
"No, I couldn't do that" said Willie;
'sbut there's no need for me here" and
with a sad and regretful countenance he
was about to leave when he was stopped
by a burst of mischievous laughter from
the ~impenitent but bewitching culprit."
Its Bets box,' she said.
"Bet's boxr" said Aleck; and 'Bet's
boxl" echoed Adam and Willie.
"Aye, Bets box" said Kitty.
"Sure enough, it's not my box" said 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 a
smile on her gaping mouth that suggested
the part she had taken in the trick.
There's a stone of shot," she said, "and
there's the h~orseshoes from the backyard.
and there's the rusty keys that used to lie
in the stable, and here's my old p%etticoats
stuffed in to keep them from jingling,
ANU, Suo dOoCu, Nv "oiShCS duo ohe
flatironl"
"By George pr sai Willie, she must have
meant to start a pack. Would you have
stabbed me to ave that dirt!"
HE didn't know what it was,' answered
for him Kitty. II just wanted to try hi:
mettle, SO 1 put this box in her room of the
other one, and it's back in it's place now
neither touched nor opened"
"Tm glad o. that lass" said the old pub
Iican, and though there was not much in
tho Wnr1S fharsa was snrna fhin Or in tho unIne
that made them sink deep. ut would have
been a sad day for me when | found you
turning against me. But, Willie, lad, il
you want to catch this skittish flly, you'6
better be quick. Down to the ministers
! you go tomorrow and get your names
asked; and as for you, you lubberly sumph
after making a fool Of yourself like that
| what's to come of you!"
Marry him to Bet. suggested Kitty.
THE very ticket" returned her uncle
"Wil you have him, Bet?"
AYE, that will l." said the laconic maid
you'll go down to the minister's a:
we'll. then. - said Adam TO Aleck.