The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-06
WITH CONSENT


Polberry always agreed with the deacon
the lookout for Kate and Dora Polberry
was rather cherries.
"Come, girls Gomez said the deacon.
putting his head into the room, covered BY
huge fur cap. Mothers ali ready, and
it's high time we were of to Brother
Boggs', for the meetin begins at T."
Papa, said Kate, my ankle feels q
little sore yet. I don't believe had bet
ter try to walk so far
For Kate, usually the lithest and most
agile of Hates, had slipped on the floor of
the milkroom that afternoon and made
fuss enough, Dora declared, for a dozen
ankle sprains.
well, - said the deacon, perhaps you
hadn't better. Are you ready, DoraP''
Dora colored and dropped her workbas-
ket.
"Papa, II thought would wait until
Mary Pilkington came for me. She don't
like to go alone such distance"
"Oh, very WE'LL" said the deacon; "you
will have to walk pretty fast thought
Deacon Polberry' S fur cap disappeared,
and ten minutes afterward Harry Syme
called to see Kate, and Alonzo Smith drop
ped in to see Dora. They had coy time,
but the lovers protested they would not
stand the deacon's opposition any longer,
but would bring him to terms. The girls
begged them not to be rash, but they in
sisted, and time few fast while the
girls coaxed them to be reasonable that
the clock struck 10 before they were aware
of it.
fTen o'clockl" cried Mr.. Smith "Har-
~, old fellow, we really must be going!"
And at the same instant like an echo to
his words, there came the sound of pro-
digious knocking. Deacon Polberry and
his wife had come back from the prayer
meeting.
1.-The key of the back door-quickI'
whispered Alonzo.
"Oh. Alonzo, cried Dora, all in a trern-
Die papa took it with himl'
1.-THE deucer' cried Alonzo. However,
/ don't care. I'd as soon face him as not
But Kate and Dora pushed their two
lovers with one accord toward the door.
"The garnet, quick, the garrett! We can
let you out after papa and mamma are
asleepl''
And Harry and Alonzo found them
selves stumbling over one another on the
garnet stairs, while Kate dutifully I'M
barred the door.
GA cold night" said the deacon, rub
bing his hands together as he approached
the fire. Flows your ankle KateS"
"Better, papa
Mary Pilkington was in the front seat
| when we got there, said Mrs. Polberry to
her youngest born. You'd better ha'
"How provokingr' said Dora, biting her
lip.
GA nice fire you've got!'' said the dea-
con. Mother, s'pose you just draw a
pitcher Of cider, and I'll go up garnet arter
a few O. them shagbarksl''
Kate gave little shrek.
| so late papal'
"'Taint late,' said the deacon com
posediy. ''Get me q lantern, Dora
| &ho ;r +Ia
said Dora, with chattering teeth
"a candle amt safe in that drafty old
garnet, - said the deacon ''Waal, guess
can find all want in the dark"
And up stairs he went, with a firm, res
olute tread, which struck terror into the
hearts of the fair conspirators sitting
bFeathless below.
But the deacon was considerably more
terrified when. STOPPING to fill his tin pan
with the treasures heaped under the caves,
| he felt himself seized by the throat, and
something ice cold and slippery placed
against his temple
MAKE but an effort to resist, and we
ahootr' enunciated voice of stern mean
ing.
con.
"Harry Syme and Alonzo Smith.
"What do you want, said the deacon
pluckily, land what is that you're holdin
ag'in my headT'
"a revolver-and we want your daugh-
tersl''
"Hold on, hold on, my young friends"
said the deacon is this fair"
"Why, no; it isn't, said Harry Syme,
sand that's just what we have thought all
along"
ITS exceedingly unfair, " said Alonzo,
ssto refuse US chance because we aren't
rich"
How come ye here?" persisted the dea-
con.
"By the hand of destiny"
Eyes or no? Time is precious. Will
you give US your daughters, or shall we
shoot?'
Don't shoot anyway" cried the dee
con. Lets talk it over"
Tho time for talking has passed. Yes
or nof''
The deacon hesitated.
"But look here
eyes or no?'' sternly demanded the
voices.
"Well, then, don't squeeze my throat
500
The grip on his throat relaxed some
what, but the nuzzle of the weapon never
stirred, and the deacon cried:
"Yesr'
For what else could man say under the
circumstances?
What was the surprise and aston1shment
of Kate, Dora and Mrs. Polberry when the
deacon presently appeared, thanked on Ell
Their side by Harry, the invincible, and
AIonzo, the brave.
HE has consented. cried Harry, squeez
ing the hand of his future father-in-law.
He has acted like TRIUMPH said Alon-
20. II knew he wouldn't refuse to lister
to reason
Papa" cried Kate, precipitating her
calf hor cir 10 fr11pe
Dearest papa chimed in Dora, ''have
you really consented to make US happy"
Don make fools of yourselvesP' said
the deacon "Of course have
"I'm sure I'm very glad of it," said
Mrs. Polberry, with a sigh Of relief, she
reached down some tumblers for the cider.
But" said the deacon, looking in a