Middletown transcript., 1891-05-14

.1f that's all your trouble, I know
where to get key. But would you
not be frightened, Aleck. Folks
might call it robbery"
"That wouldn't be true. The
money is mine as much as his, for I've
worked hardest for it, and there's .
lot of it yours, Kitty, and he wouldn't
make much noise about it. He would
not disgrace the name by making it q
byword, and be likes you so much
that he wouldn't seek to get you into
bad trouble. There would be mur-
der, though, if he got hold Of us him
SELF"
That was the way in which the
elopement was planned. During the
next few days the cousins were in al
most constant conversation, and even
shrewd Adam was deceived, and
thought, poor man, that his niece had
forsaken Willie Allan, not from any
mercenary motives, but because of
the weighty advice he had given her.
Never had he felt more serenely
happy than on the next Sunday after
noon. The hare had been cooked
exactly to his liking the foreparts in
soup, the hind parts in pie; and
after a dinner that might have pleased
an Emperor, followed by taste of
fine old brandy-brandy kept for the
exclusive use of the fox-hunting
squires who would sometimes lunch at
the Red Lion when their meet was in
the neighborhood-he sailed forth
for his usual Sunday afternoon walk,
pipe in mouth. and Jack and Meg. at
his heels.
off you want bit of SPORT" said
Kitty to him as he was going out,
"take turn in the forty-acre about
dusk" He had no chance of asking
her meaning, for there were others
about, but he said to himself, 4" All!
she's a sharp one, is Kit. That means
another good dinner, or I'm cheated, :
and went his way.
No sooner was he gone than tre-
mendous hustle began in the public
house, although it was shut on Sum
days. Aleck did not know what to
take and what to leave.
" It's four weary miles we have to
walk into Scotland" said Kitty, 8 90
the less we have to carry, the better,
Aleck. That box'll be weight to
take in itself. lad"
Well have plenty oftime, though.
Bet can say we've gone for a walk,
and he'll be as pleased as Punch.
Have you opened the chest p
eyes," said Kitty, "it's all right,
The only pity is ! could not open the
little box, and you'll have to take il
with US.
Darkness was just falling when the
two fugitives emerged from the Red
Lion. The peaceful villagers were
! all within doors, for it was bitterly
cold, and the sharp north wind hac
begun to drive stray flakes of snow in
front Of it. Which way should they
take? There could be no doubt Of
that down the hill by the foot-road
across the brook by the single plank
bridge, through the wood until tht
highway was reached, and then a bold
push to get across the border. Many
a Northumbrian lad and lass in th'
old time had trudged to the altar il
that style, but few of the gallants car
ried treasure with them such as wa
under Alexis arm. Many sharI
look the runaways cast on every side
lest there should be any suspicious
witness of their fight, but not a sou
did they see, and the friendly SNOW
dropped softly on their treacherou
footprints. Neither said word til
they reached the old willow, nea
which the brook was crossed by
trembling plank. Then Kitty grey
nervous.
"Tm frightened to cross the burn,
she said T" 60 you first"
"Be quick, them" he answered
q I'll hold it," and, getting swiftly t
the other side, he seized the end Q
the unsteady bit of wood.
"But, instead of following at once
Kitty screamed. "There's Jack
, Your father must be chasing us.
Aleck stood undecided moment
then dashed the frail bridge into tn
water. Hide where you can" b
shouted, he can't jump the burr
and I'll make off with the money"
"Oh he'll kill me-" pleaded. th
girl. Don't run away from me
i Aleck."
"You shouldn't have been SO slow,
he retorted, with the box alread
under his arm.
"Stop, you blackguardly thief
Stop, 1 say!' hoarsely shouted hi
father, running up from where he ha
} been looking after some rabits. Blu
, the son turned in terror and fed-no
far, however, for a newcomer appear
, ed on the scene. Willie Allan, tru'
) to his appointment with Kitty, thoug
] he hardly expected 10 see her, emerg
, ed from the wood. "HuIloa !" b
t said, placing himself in front Of tn
; runaway, "what's up?"
$ Fell him dead p yelled Adam.
Let him co." said Kitty, but $
softly that her lover could not max
. out what she said.
"You'd better turn back" he sal
to Aleck, but the fugitive, brought
bay, was desperate.
i Let me be" he said "or by =
I'll stab you," drawing a claspknii
e from his pocket.
n You scoundrel!" cried the 9TH
Y in white heat, !" would you comm
: murder?'
j Willie was credited with possessir
8 more "science than any other ms
n in Blackford, and where will you fir
e good boxing if not in North Northur
O berland? He made feint, and Il
vengeful blade of his adversary gill
z. tered in a momentary streak OF mool
a light, but to no purpose, for sic