Middletown transcript., 1891-05-14

said, 9 and if you drop it or try any
tricks I'll bray your head into put
ty."
81 Let me carry it around BY the
big bridge besought the now thor
oughly cowed Sandy.
No, by Heavenl" said the other,
g through the burn you go; and,
willing or not, he forced him to ford
the current, which, . moment after
ward, he himself cleared in running
leap.
aWhat is it about p he then found
time to ask.
You've stopped a bit Of ugly
work, I'm thinking" said Adam,
upon whom the full extent of the
crime began to dawn. as he dimly
recognized the shape, size and weight
of the money box in the clouded, un-
certain light. These two have been
trying to rob me-"
Neverl" said Willie. Kitty.
you wouldn't do that 7"
"Come up and make sure" said
Adam.
With that they all began silently to
retrace their steps, only Kitty slipped
away in front as if to avoid ernbarrass.
ing questions. Willie was very
thoughtful. just as they were com-
ing to the door he said to Adam In Q
low, troubled voice, which he tried
hard to make Indifferent. Look
here, Adam you haven't lost any
thing by this row, and there isn't
much use in exposing her, is there r
NO." was the reply "but since
they're so fond I'll make them marry
and set ur house by themselves"
With that they entered the kitchen.
where Aleck, all shivering with his
bath, deposited the box on the floor.
A cheerful freight showed Kitty,
not, as might have been expected,
with abashed countenance and the
demeanor of culprit awaiting jus
tice, but with heightened color and
sparkling eyes-far BONNER than
ever, as her old loyer could not help
thinking.
"There's your true blood" she
said to Adam. but pointing to his son,
and this has been a fine nights
work for him. It began with rob-
bing you that's done SO much for him;
then the sweetheart that liked him SO
well as to run away with him he left
on the wrong side of the burn; and
then 10 draw his knife on an honest
man! You'll never seek to make me
wed him now?"
.That you shall. you shameless
wretch" broke out her uncle. "You
are not fit for Allan. and Pm sure
from what I've seen this night he
wouldn't look at a thief"
"No. couldn't do that" said
Willie; but there's no need for me
here" and with sad and regretfnl
countenance he was about to leave
when he was stopped by burst Of
mischieyous laughter from the impeni-
tent but bewitching culprit.
"It's Bets box" she said.
Bets boxp' said Aleck Bets
box |" echoed Adam and Willie.
"Aye, Bets box" said Kitty.
| "Sure enough it's not my box"
said the uncle, dragging it into the
light "it's the same size, but not the
color. But whatever is making it SO
heavy?"
That was soon discovered. The
red-headed servant GIRL came forward
with smile on her gaping mouth
that suggested the part she had TAX
en- in the trick. There's . stone of
shot" she said, aand there's the
horseshoes from the back yard, end
there's the rusty keys that used to
lie in the stable, and here's my old
petticoats stuffed in TO- keep them
from jingling, and," she added, the
; weights and the fiatiron r
"By Georgep said Willie. she
must have meant to start q pack.
Would you have stabbed me to save
F that dirt ?'
"He didn't know what it was, y
answered Kitty for him. "I just
wanted to try his mettle, SO I put this
box in the room Of his other one, and
it's back in its place now, neither
touched nor opened"
!" Pm glad OF that lass" said the
old publican, and though there was
not much in the words, there was
something in the voice that made
them sink deep. "It would have
been a bad day for me when | found
you turning against me. But, Willie,
lad. if you want to catch this skittish
flly you'd better be quick. Down to
the minister's you 60 tomorrow and
get your names asked and as for
you, you lubberly sumph, after maxi
ing fool of yourself like that what's
to come of you =
Marry him TO Bet" suggested
Kitty.
"The very ticket!" returned her
uncle. Will you have him Bet 2"
, "Aye. that will t. said the laconic
maid.
{" You'll go down to the ministers
as well, then, said Adam to Aleck:
And now, lass, bring US drop OF
J that brandy, and put the kettle on
and bring the sugar, and we'll chris
/ ten the bargain"
, So a few weeks afterward there
were two weddings in Blackford, and
: when the lads of the village " roped
! Willie Allan he gave them q whole
half sovereign TO drink, and was there
: fore allowed to enter the croft houst
4 with thunder of cheers; but whel
they did the same thing to Alsck he
o morosely cut the rope with a knife
= and that is why he has been so un'
4 lucky ever since, for if you 60 t.
!. Blackford now you will find the crof
q house to be the neatest, prettiest ant
incest house there, while ever since
: old Adams death, which happened
E many years ago, the Red Lion ha
|