The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-12
UNDER DURESS.

aEi'tu WIZ Wv NN'NSN-
the lookout for Kate and Dora Polberry
was rather cherries.
Come. girls, come" said the deacon,
putting his head into the room, covered
by huge fur cap. Mothers all ready,
and it's high time we were off 10 Brother
Bogps'. for the meeting begins at a."
"Papa," said Kate, "my ankle feels a
little sore yet. i don't believe had bet
ter try To walk SO far.
For Kate, usually the lithest and most
agile of Kates, 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, DoraY'
"Papa, IL thought would wait until
Mary Pilkington came for-Sl She don &
like to go alone such distance"
"Oh, very well, Z" 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
dropped in TO see Dora They had cory
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 insisted, and time few so fnst while
the girls coaxed them to be reasonable"
that the clock struck 10 before they were
aware Of IL.
"Ten o'olock!" cried Mr.. Smith
Harry, old fellow, we really must be 60
ingp'
And at the same instant, like an echo to
his words, there came the sound Of q pro-
digious knocking Deacon Polberry and
his wife had come back from the prayer
meeting.
"The key Of the back door-quickr ~
whispered Alonzo.
"Oh, Alonxo," cried Dora, all in a trem-
BILE, "papa took it with himr'
"The deuce!" cried Alonzo. How
ever, I don't care. I'd as soon face him rs
not
But Kate and Dora pushed their two
lovers with one accord toward the door.
1.-The garret, quick; the garrett We can
let you out after papa and mamma are
asleepp'
And Harry and Alonzo found them
selves stumbling over one another on the
garret stairs, while Kate dutifully un-
barred the door.
"A cold night" said the deacon, rub
bing his hands together as he approached
the fire. "How's your ankle, Katef"
Better, papa"
MARY Pilkington was in the front scat
when we got there" said Mrs. Polbery
to her youngest born. You'd better ha'
come with us"
How provoking!" said Dora, biting her
lip.
"A nice fire you've got!" said the dea-
con. Mother, s'pose you just draw a
pitcher of cider, and I'll go up garret arter
few o. them shagbarksp'
Kate gave little shrek.
$50 late, papal'
'Tain't late," said the deacon com
posedly. Get me a lantern. Dora
Papa, the lantern is out at the barn.
said Dora, with chattering teeth.
"A candle amt safe in that drafty old
garrett" said the deacon. "Waal, / guess
/ can find all want in the dark"
And up stairs he went, with firm, res
olute tread, which struck terror into the
hearts of the fair conspirators sitting
breathless below.
But the deacon was considerably more
terrified when, STOPPING to ill 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
shoot" enunciated a voice of stern mean
ing.
"And who s WEI" questioned the deacon.
Harry Syme and Alonzo Smith"
What do you want" said the deacon
pluckily, land what is that you're hold
ing gin my head?"
"A royolyer-and we want your daugh-
ters"
Hold on, hold on, my young friends !"
said the deacon. sis this fair?'
why, no; it isn't" said Harry Syme,
"and that's just what we have thought all
along"
"It's exceedingly unfair" said Alonzo,
"to refuse us chance because we aren Z
rich"
How come you here?" persisted the
deacon.
"By the hand OF destiny"
Eyes or no? Time is precious. Will
you give us your daughters, or shall we
shoots"
Don't shoot anyway!' cried the deacon.
Lets talk it over"
1.-The time for talking has passed. Yes
or nop'
The deacon hesitated.
"But look here
"Yes or nor" sternly demanded the
voices. 49,
"well, then, don't squeeze my throat
So"
The grip on his throat relaxed some.
what, but the muzzle of the weapon never
stirred, and the deacon cried:
"Yesv'
For what else could man say under
the circumstancesf
What was the surprise and astonish-
ment Of Kate, Dora and Mrs. Polberry
when the deacon presently appeared,
flanked on either side by Harry the in
vincible, and Alonzo the brave.
"He has consented" cried Harry,
squeezing the hand of his future father
In law.
"He has acted like trumpr' said
Alonzo. II knew he wouldn't refuse to
listen to reason"
Papa" cried Kate, prccipitating her
self upon her sire, lis this truef'
Dearest papa" chimed in Dora, "have
you really consented to make us happyY'
Don't make fools of yourselvesi" said
the deacon. "Of course have"