Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-09-17

came the sound Of stealthy steps on the
veranda. The old man had smelled the
bait after all. He had stopped to slip on
his shoes not to wake his wife, and was
bringing them in his hand. Mark heard
him cautiously open the door, lock and
bolt it noiselessly, then tiptoe into his
own little room and tumble about in
search of a match and his be lroom can
die.
At that instant Mark, who vas saying
to himself that all Is fair in love and
war, bounded down the steps like 3
young panther, his suspenders hanging,
his shirt open at the throat and hair
wildly towsled, as if Just aroused from
sleep. In less than half minute he was
in his fathers little Office, where Chill
ders was fumbling about the open safe
In search Of his bedroom candle. Mark
leaped upon him and pinioned his two
arms in grasp Of iron. The old mans
hat and glasses fell off. He stood, after
the first struggle, gasping stupidity with
his mouth open.
"You internal scoundrell" he muttered
as Mark let go his arms and stood con-
fronting him in the dim light, "are you
trying to rob my housey'
Mark smiled peculiar smile. Look
there, Mr.. Childers, at my fathers safe.
Do you know where you are?"
The old man sank heavily into a chair,
and putting his fat hands on his knees
gazed up bewildered into Marks face.
"You don't tell me that this is Spot
ford's house, and that THAT have
been caught trying to rob his safer"
Mark had softly closed the door and,
lighted little lamp that stood on the
chimney piece.
Looks bad, deuced bad" said he,
strolling about the room with his hands
in his pockets.
"Look here, Mark Spofford, and theold
man gazed up with a heavy and troubled
eye in his face, 81 have known you ever
since you were born. I've carried you
on my back many time when you were
a little shaver. You were for years a.
near to me as my own SON Now, you
don't, you can't, think sneaked in here
to rob your father. Ihad been to the club
and spent a jolly evening, and l suppose
must have taken too much hot toddy,
which, to tell the truth, was uncommon
ly strong. It was foggy night, and /
made mistake in the house, that is all.
Now, don't you believe me, Mark Spot
fordY'
"But the open safe" said Mark with
deep gravity. ''That is suspicious cir
cumstance most people will find it hard
to explain away"
But am not pauper," cried Child
ers, losing his temper. at am a rich
man. What could tempt a man Of my
character and standing to such an in
sane act?"
But you hate my father" returned
Mark judicially. "You have sworn to
injure him, and are known to be his bit
ter, unrelenting enemy. You have said
and done all in your power to make his
life miserable. Now you see yourself,
sir, the case has very ugly look"
Childers' mouth quivered, blur came
over his eyes, his chin sagged down on
his breast, his arms hung helpless at his
sides.
Inns thlng, II 1t gets out, VIII ruin 7
me, Mark. 1t will wither me root and
branch. 1 shall be cashiered at the
club, shall be posted as a villain and
blackleg. Is there no way to save Wfsi
Think Of my poor invalid wife. She ~
fond of you when you were boy, Mark,
and so was 1.
Mark unused, his chin in his hand, for
a long time, studying as he looked down
on the carpet. 81 don't think you de-
serve much mercy, Mr.. Childers, from
anybody by the name of Spoford, but
there is one person in your family ]
could wish to save from sorrow and dis.
grace, sir, and it is your daughter
Kitty"
Old Childers glanced up under his
thick white eyebrows. "My daughter
Kitty-umph.
Eyes, sir; your daughter Kitty. You
know have loved her dearly ever since
we were children, and if you had not
been such an incorrigible old idiot these
family troubles might never haYs
arisen"
ITO BE CONTINUED.