The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-11

quenters of the place, and they were at a
loss TO properly attribute this change in
sentiment.
Capt. MinIon brooded over his meals,
and his wife ana daughter did not see az
TO question bis strange bearing. The
daughter, too. seemed to have a secret
stored away in her bosom, and e watchful
mother was not slow in discovering this.
She became alarmed az the change in the
household and was worried in no smsll
degree. Between them all, 1t was queer
family.
One afternoon Mollie stole away from
the place aud at the accustomed hour for
supper did not return. Her father paced
up and down in front of his store, nerv-
Ously kicking small clouds Of dust into the
air. His vile stepped from out the door.
what has possessed Mollie TO stay away
so long?" appealed Mrs. Minion.
"Dun no" the captain growled, and re-
sumed his dust raising.
Reckon they baint back from ridiu'
yet" suggested Old man Porter who had
hobbled up in time to catch Mr.. Minion's
remarks.
"What ridin' ?" demanded thecapta:n in
steutorian voice. Porter quailed before
the Infatuated man but managed TO tell
him that he had seen Mollie and Warner
driving down the road early in the alter
noon.
"Takin' my daughter awsy?" bawled
the father, and he bOlted into the store,
reappearing two minutes later with an
old squirrel rifle in his hand.
Run off with nv daughter, eh?" and
he stamped and fumed. George Brewster.
in a light cart, pulled IN at the store and
Immediately sought light on the present
trouble. 1t seemed that the saw-mill man
had eloped with Mollie, and the father
could only see that il was with a sinister
purpose. Brewster agleed to join him in
search for the couple.
The cart with the fast little pony in
front of il ratified over the rough road,
Mrs. MiniOn wringing her hands and sob
bling, while old man Porter tried to COM
fort her in a clownish way. Hardly had
the cart covered hundred yards before
buggy came into view around bend
in the road.
In it were Warner and Molly. Both
horses were brought to a standstill. Capt.
MiniOn jumping over the dashboard Of
the cart, Brewster joining him.
The mother shaded her eyes with her
hand and strove to distinguish the figures
in the confusion.
A puff of smoke rose above the two bug
gies. Mrs. Minion knew that something
terrible had occurred and rushed toward
the scene, screaming with all her might.
There was a slight scuffie and the capt
ain was hurled 10 the ground. George
Brewster lay sprawling over him with .
hand on the smoking barrel Warner
stood with wbitened face, for the gun in
the hands of the mad father had been
aimed truly at him, and had it not been
for the interference OF tho disappointed
lover, the son of Col. Warner would have
been murdered by the hand that slew his
father.
After It was all explained, after Mrs.
Ninion had been revived from a swoon,
Brewster corralled the irate father and
attempted to pacify him.
Molly Minion was now Mrs. Warner.
The lovers had married that afternoon,
and were returning 10 her home to make
their pence with the parents. Capt
Minion had no other course-he recog-
nized Warner as bus son-in-law, and the
ful in his suit, brought about the paCifica-
ton.
This tale ends well Mollie and her
husband settled down TO a quiet life, and,
il is supposed, were ever afterwards
happy. Captain M;nion kept his secret,
imparting it year later TO his astonished
wife. The young couple were in ignor-
ance of the terrible encounter between
their families. On his deathhed the old
river captain drew his son-in.law 10 bis
side and told him all.
Death softens al strifo and the son OF
Col. Warner WAS willing 10 forgive and
forget. GAvIS L. PAYNE.