Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-09-18


as Mark let go his arms and stood con-
fronting him in the dim light, ''are you
trying to rob my house,
Mark smiled peculiar smile. "Look
there, Mr.. Childers, at my fathers safe.
Do you know where you are?"
The old man sank heavily into 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 safe?'
Mark had softly closed the door and
lighted little lamp that stood on the
chimney piece.
Clocks bad, deuced bad said he,
strolling about the room with his hands
in his pockets.
"Look here, Mark Spofford, and the old
man gazcd up with heavy and troubled
eye in his face, Il have known You ever
since YOU were born. I've carried you
on my back many a time when you wero
a little shaver. You were for years as
near to mo as my own son. Now, you
don't, you can't think | smoked in here
to rob your father Ihad been to the club
and spent Il jolly evening, and / suppose
/ must have taken too much hot toddy,
which, to tell tho truth. WIS Uncommon-
ly strong. 1t was foggy night. and |
,nada ., mistake in tine hons +bat i oil
KAN. do,,,+ ,.o,, h.lia,.o ma MI. 1;n,f.
ford:'
But the open safe" said Mark with
do,,, ~..,,.i+,. .trh,+ i O a,,.,,;,i,.,,, c;,.-
,a.+a,|,a ,,o-+ ,,a",'l, viii end i bo.l
toa,-,,Il;,, .,',,.o,.o
r.o,,,o ,.;.1 cq,;15
or. l..i-'r his +o,,,'.r 81 ~, - ,+c},
, W,.,..t-,,,,lI +,,,,,.4.., NO., - ,,.,,
n .,'''r. ana 1+InIinl, ~ e,~h on H..
sana ac,.u
"Rut Won hate INV father returned
Mari, irIic;oIIv won h,ve sworn -
iniur. him and ara l,no,vu to Inc his hit
fer. unrelent;ne enemv You have sail
and dome nh in vour mower to make his
life uiseruble. Now Won seq vourseIf
sir fine case has = very uglv Iool, "
Cbil5ar,' month ouiverei = bInr cana
over ms eyes. his chm sagged down on
his breast, his arms hung helpless at his
sides.
This thing, if it gets out, will ruin
me, Mark. 1t will wither me root and
branch. shall be cashlered at the
club shall be posted as villain and a
backlog. Is there no way to save met
Think Of my poor invalid wife She was
tond OF you when you were boy, Mark,
aud 50 was l.
Mark unused, his chm in his hand, for
long time, studying as he looked down
on the carpet Il don thnk You de-
serve much mercy, MI. ChlIders, from
anybody by the name OF Spoliord, but
there Is one person III your family |
could wish to save from sorrow and dis
grace, sir, and 1t Is your daughter
Kitty"
Old Childers glanced up under his
thick white eyebrows. My daughter
kitty-umph,"
Yes, sir; your daughter Kitty. You
know | have loved her dearly ever since
we We're children, and if you had not
been such an incorrgible old idiot these
family troubles might never have
arisen"
"If Your father Mark. had not been
such a stiff uecked, irritable old mar
tnet"-
Let nv father alone" said Mari,
stclnly. "You have persistentlv refused
to listen to my suit for Kitty's hand. and
Won were wiling to bestow her on a
jackanapes she did not love to spite us
yes. sir. repeat it, a jackanapes. Now.
sir. there is but one way to save YOUR
self from disgrace and ignolniny. You
must consent at once to my marriage
with your daughter"
Old Childers looked up and shot a
crafty glance at Mark. odd if do"
every well, sir, very we'll and Mark
drew in his breath sharply, clapped one
hand in the other, and began to pace the
room. VERY well, sir, then prepare to
take the consequences
You intend to have me arrested"
IL shall feel Obliged to lay the whole
matter before my father"
Great Scott. But, Mark, you are not
fool If ! should consent to this mar
rage with Kitty your father could cut