The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-06-02

, by making it by-word. and b
likes you so much that he wouldn'
seek to get you into bad trouble
There would be murder. though,
he got hold of Us himself"
That was the way in which tn
elopement was planned. Durinl
the next few days the cousins wer'
in almost constant conversation, anC
even shrswd Adam was deceived
and thought, poor man, that hi
niece had forsaken Willie Allan
not from any mercenary motives
but because of the weighty advice
he had given her. Never had b:
felt more serenely happy than OF
the next Sunday afternoon. Th'
hare had been cooked exactly to hi.
| liking-the fore parts in soup, thu
hind parts in pie; and after din
ner that might have pleased an Em
peror, followed by taste of his fin'
old brandy-brandy kept for tbs
exclusive use of the fOx-huntine
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 month, and Jack and
Meg at his heels.
"If you want a bit of sport" said
Kitty to him as he was going out,
take turn In the forty-acre about
dark" He had no chance of asking
her meaning, 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 be went his way.
No sooner was he gone than a
tremendous hustle began in the pub
lie house, although it was shut on
Sunday. 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'll be a weight to
take. in itself, lad"
well have plenty of time,
though. Bet can say we've gone for
a 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 us"
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
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 Northumber-
land lad and lass in the old time
had trudged to the altar in that
style, but few of the gallants carried
a treasure with them such as was
under AFeck's arm. Many a sharp
look the runaways cast on every
side, lest there should be any suspi
cious witness of their flight, but not
a soul did they see, and The friendly
snow dropped softly Oh their treaeh-
erous footprints. Neither said
word till they reached the old will
low, near which the brook was
crossed by the trembling plank.
Then Kitty grew nervous.
"I'm frightened to cross the burn"
she said go you first"
BE quick, then" he answered !;
" I'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 US y
Aleck stood undecided a moment,
then dashed the frail bridge into
the water. Hide where YOU can,
he shouted " he 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 al
ready under his arm.
Stop. you blackguardly thief
Stop, l say!" hosrsely shouted his
father, running up from where he
had been looking after some rabbits. |
But the son turned in terror and
ied-not Tar, however, for new
conner appeared on the scene. Willie
Allan. true to his appointment with |
kittie, though he hardly expected
20 see her. emerged from the wood |
Halloa," he said, placing himself
n front of the runaway, what's
up ?"
Fell him dead I'' yelled Adam.
"Let him co. said Kitty, but so
ioftly that her lover chould not make
,ut what she said.
You'd better turn back" he said |
o Aleek. but the fugitive, brought
o bay, was desperate.
" Let me be-" he said, " or by -
I'll stab you." drawing clasp-knife
rom his pocket.
You scoundrel y cried the 9TH
II, in white heat, would you
commit murder? ?"
Willie was credited with possess
essing more science than any other
nan in Blackford, and where will
1ou find good boxing if not in North
Northumberland? He made feint,
md the vengeful blade of his adver-
ary glittered in monentary streak
f moonlight, but to ne purpose,
or side leap carried its object out
If reach, and Willie landed left
lander like horses kick just above