The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-18


"If that's all your trouble, know where
to get a key. But would you not be
frightened, Aleckl Folk might call it a
robbery"
That wouldn't be true. The money is
mine as much as his, for I've worked hard
est for it, and there's a lot of it yours,
Kitty, and he wouldn't make much noise
about it. He wouldn't disgrace the name
by making it aby-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 elopement
was planned. During the next few days
the cousins were in almost constant CONVEX
sation, and even shrewd Adam was de-
ceived, and thought poor man, that his
any mercenary motives, but because of the
weighty advice he had given her. Never
had he felt more serenely happy than on
the next Sunday 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 INTERCHANGEABLE
sailed forth for his usual Sunday after
noon walk, pipe in mouth and Jack and
Meg at his heels.
IF YOU want bit of 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 meaning, for there
were others about, but he said to himself:
| "Ah! she's sharp one, is Kit. That means
another good dinner, or I'm cheated" and
went his way.
No sooner was he gone than tremendous
hustle began in the public house, although
it was shut on Sundays. Aleck did not
! know what to take and what to 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 in itself, lad"
We'll have plenty of time, though. Bet
as pleased as Punch. Have YOU opened the
| cheSt!i
Eyes" said Kitty: ''it's 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
| The peaceful villagers were all within
door. for it was bitterly cold, and the sharp
| north wind had begun to drive stray flakes
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 a Northumbrian lad and
| lass in the old times had trudged to the
altar in that style, but few of the gallants
carried treasure with them such as was
under Alexis arm. Many a sharp look the
runaways cast on every side, lest there
should be any suspicious witness of their
| flight. but not 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 the brook was crossed by trembling
plank. Then Kittie grew nervous
Pm frightened to cross the burn" she
said; ''go you first"
BE quick then" he answered. ''II
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 us.'
Aleck stood undecided moment, then
dashed the frail bridge into the water
Glide where you can" he shouted, The
can't Jump the burn, and I'll 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
retorted, with the box already under his
arm.
'sStop, you blackguardly thief! Stop, 1
say!" hoarsely shouted his father, running
up from where he had been looking after
some rabbits. But the son turned in terror
and fied-not far, however. for newcomer
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, ''what's ups"
Fell him deadr' 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
desperate.
LET me be-" he said, ''or by I'll
stab YOU" drawing clasp-knife from his
pocket.
'You scoundrelr' cried the other, in a
white heat, would you commit murder"
Willie was credited with possessing more
science" than any other man in Black
ford, and whore will you find good boxing
if not in North Northumberland! He made
feint, and the vengeful blade of his adver-
sary glittered in 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 trice was Invested of his knife, which
the conqueror threw contemptuously into
the brook. ''Get up and fight like 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,
II y,
''he 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
bridgew besought the now thoroughly
cowed Sandy.
No, by heaven ~ said the other, Through
the burn you go;'' and, willing or not, he
forced him to ford the current, which
moment after he himself cleared in a run
ming leap.
time to ask.
You've stopped bit of 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-"
"Neverr" said Willie. kitty, you
wouldn't do that"
Come up and make sure" said Adam.
With that they all began silently to re-
trace their steps, only Kitty slipped away
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 bard to make indifferent: Look here,
Adam, you haven't lost anything by this
row. and there isn't much use in exposing
her. is there!"
mo, was the reply, ''Dut since tney re
so fond I'll make them marry and set up
house by themselves" With that they en-
tered the kitchen, where Aleck, all shiver-
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.
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
mich for him. then the sHaathaart that