The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-22
# sardines and a surprisingly powerful

cheese.
At this crisis Jephson suggested catch
ing and killing Two of his fowls. They
were wandering fowls, and only came
home to roost. Jephson, with a light
heart, set off in search of them.
Two hours later he returned, hot and
blasphemous, and holding viciOusly under
his arm squawking, excited hen-only
one It's legs having been tied. 1t was
placed upon the kitchen table previous to
execution. Meanwhile it disentangled its
legs in some mysterious manner, and
with praisewOrthy dispatch flew out of
the window and fastened down the noun
tain.
shooting, was seized with the idea of
taking pot shot at the faSt-retreating
fowl. simultaneously with the ping of
his bullet an Understandable moaning sound,
between below and scream, rang over
the mountains.
He had shot the family COW. She had
Just sauntered round bluff in time TO
meet her fate. The poor animal looked
reproachfully at her murderer (who hur-
ried toward her in remorse and dismay),
turned upon her side with a heavy sigh,
and departed this life.
God bless my soulr' exclaimed the colo
mel, looking round blankly.
The young men abandoned themselves
to unwilling laughter. But the girls did
not laugh, for they were sorry for the
poor beast. Besides, they knew they
should now have no milk for tea Elise
who had been boasting of her ability to
act as dalrymaid on occasion, looked de-
pressed. The colonel walked away, crest
fallen. to smoke a solitary cigar.
Jephson proceeded to capture another
hen, which was promptly dispatched,
plucked, and made ready for cooking.
Elise having turned her back for a min
ute or so, Milton, the mastiff before al
luded to, strolled in, appropriated the
that day.
Elise wept tears of rage. for she was
hot and tired, and dinner seemed as far
off as ever
However, they dined upon broiled ham
and cheese, varied by sardines and "cho-
rizas" and the colonel cheerfully remark
ed that he hoped they might never fare
worse.
When the meal was over, the young
people walked down to the Fuente while
old Challoner slumbered fitfully in bam-
boo chair in front of the house. The
t.uente was spring some way down the
mountain, half-covered with ferns and
wild flowers, and glistening romantically
just now in the light of the moon.
now 1ar away, and now near at hand,
came the quaint monotonous tinkle of the
sheep bells. A curious sense of isolation
hung over the place.
us it PI possible, said Elise dreamily,
called England-where there are towns
and streets, and where men walk about in
top hats and faultlessly-cut frock coats? 1t
seems years since we left home"
Come little way down the mountain"
said Markham, with irrelevance.
When they were out of sight Jephson
observed with something resembling a
sigh:
''They seem very happy"
II suppose they are" Meg replied. "They
are absurdly fond Of each other and they
81 don't see anything absurd in their be-
ing fond OF each other" answered Jeph-
"You wish-what? The moon?"
Something almost as impossible was
going to say l wish you were absurdly
fond of me-"
Meg looked at him.
''Mr. Jephsonl You surprise me very
much. l thought you were such a very
sensible young man."
Does the fact that love you and want
to marry you make me less sensible?" he
said.
Meg stood up, her small face very severe.
Il don't wish you to talk about such
things. have no intention of being mar
of ,now-a-days.''
What things?" asked Jephson. drily.
ooh, lots" was the vague answer.
You won't think of it. then?''
Most certainly not. ] mean, I'm very
much Obliged to you, but I'd rather not
suggest it,"
Jephson said nothing. But he certainly
smiled
The sheep bells tinkled family and the
colonePs voice called outI
dew falling"
they separated for the night
He hasn't come back since he stole
that chicken, answered Elise ''NeveY.
| mind him."
But Jephson looked disturbed
A couple of hours later he was awak-
| ened by unwonted sounds from the sitting
room. he rose noiselessly, threw on some
| clothes, caught up his revolver and sur
| prised a dark figure in the act of get
! ting out of the window with the colonel s
cashbox, The crack of pistol-shot was
ute later Markham came in as hurriedlv
as he ever did anything, carrying lighted
cadle. By lts am Kicker he recognized
| the intruder-Who was struggling fierce
| ly in Jephson's strong grip--as the stable
| man, Francisco. Blood was pouring free
~ from his left arm, and in his other
! he aimed vicious blow at Jephson That
| gentleman, however. avoided it by a
swift movement, and it merely grazed his
shoulder.
BY this time the colonel had appeared
on the scene followed by the TERMED
girls, and in a comparatively short time
| Francisco was ingeniouSly bound with
| various rug and box straps, and was
having his arm bound up by Markham
/ The invader, or being sternly Interview
! ed by a council of three, and threatened
with many fearful things, was understood
| (by aid of the "book'D to affirm that he
being very poor and the English Senores
very rich, the devil had prompted him TO
annex the cashsbox, which occupied a
conspicuous place in the old Senor's bed
/ room. Upon which he was bundled into
the Kitchen to await judgment.
Jephson was very silent. Markham ,az-
/ lily indignant. but the colonel was furious
J 1t was not, he declared, the attempted
/ theft that bowled him over. 1t was the
| diabolical treachery
! Meanwhile Francisco had noiselesslv
/ freed himself and departed by the kitchen
I window.
| But there was one of the family unon
/ whom he had not reckoned Milton. hav-
/ ing just returned, was strolling up to the
\ kitchen window as Francisco let himself
down. Now the grandfather of Milton wa :
! q grey wolf and between Milton and Fran
1 cisco there existed long-standing feud
/ without sound the dog flew at the
I mans throat. There was a growing wor-
I rying noise. Then an ominous stiffness
Milton walked round to the door and
/ lay down.
Good God, it's horribler' the colonel
/ exclaimed, half an hour later, his kindly
I old face very white. IL positively feel