The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-07-23

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door.
Mark heard the clock strike one and
lost heart. Old Childers never remained
out later than one. It was more than
probable his little ruse had failed. The
crafty old fox had been too cunning to
fall into the trap. At that very moment
came the sound Of stealthy steps on the
Veranda. The old man had smelled the
bait after all. he had stopped to alp of
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 Q match and his bedroom can
dle
At that instant Mark, who was saying
10 himself that all is fair in love and
war, bounded down the steps like Q
young panther, his suspenders hanging,
his shirt open at the throat and hair
wildly towsled, as II 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 of. He stood, after
the first struggle, gasping stupidly with
his mouth open.
"You Internal scoundrelT he muttered
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 areT"
The old man sank heavily into chair,
and putting his fat hands on his knees
gaZcd up bewildered into Marks face.
you don't tell me that this Is Spot
ford's house, and that THAT l have
been caught trying to rob his safeT"
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 Spoford, T." and theold
man gazed up with heavy and troubled
eye in his face, II have known you ever
since you were born. I've carried you
on my back many q time when you were
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 jolly evening, and | suppose
| must have taken too much hot toddy,
which, to tell the truth, was uncommon
ly strong. It was q foggy night, and !
made mistake In the house, that is all.
Now, don't you believe me, Mark Spot
ford?'
"But the open safe" said Mark with
deep gravity. THAT is Q suspicious cir
cumstance most people will find 1t hard
to explain away"
But am not pauper," cried Child
ers, losing his temper. II am Q rich
man. What could tempt q man Of my
character and standing to such an in
sane actT
"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.
'This thing, II it gets out, will ruin
me, Mark. 1t will wither mo root and
branch. shall be cashiered at the
club, / shall be posted as villain and .
blackleg. Is there no way to save mel
Think Of my poor invalid wife. SheWaS
fond Of you when you were boy, Marx,
aud 90 was l."
Mark unused, his chin in his hand. for
. long time, studying as he looked down
on the carpet II 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 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 were children, and IL you had not
been such an incorrigible old idiot these
family troubles might never have
arisen"
"If your father, Mark, had not been
such q stiff necked, irritable old mar
tinet"-
LET my father alone" said Mark
Sternly. "You have persistently refused
to listen to my suit for Kitty's hand, and
you wee willing to bestow her on .
iackanapes she did not love to spite us
yes, sir, repeat it, . jackanapes. Now,
sir, there Is but one way to save your.
self from Disgrace and ignominy. You
must consent at once to my marriage
with your daughter"
Old Childers looked up and shot .
crafty glance at Mark. "D-d II l do. "
Every well, sir, very well" and Mark
drew in his breath sharply, clapped one
hand in the other, and began to pace the
room. Every well, sir, then prepare to
take the consequences"
"You intend to have me arrestedP
II shall feel obliged to lay the whole
matter before my father"
"Great Scottl But, Mark, you are not
fool. II should consent to this mar
riage with Kitty your father could cut
you OF with . shilling. You would not
have penny to your name"
"AS soon % We were married my
fathers anger would ooze out. he would
love Kitty like his own child, and -
would my mother"
"Well, sir. said old Childera, straight