The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-16
UNDER DURESS.

daughters never should marry without his
consent, he fully meant it. and as Mrs.
Polberry always agreed with the deacon
the lookout for Kate and Dora Polberry
was rather cherries.
leone, girls, come, " said the deacon,
putting his head into the room, covered
BY a huge fur cap. Mothers all ready,
and it's high time we were off to Brother
Boggs', for the meeting begins at ~
Papa" said Kate, ''ny ankle feels
little sore yet. don't believe 1 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, Dora?'
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; f'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 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 insisted, and time few so fast while
the girls coaxed them to be reasonable
that the clock struck 10 before they were
aware Of it.
sTen o'clookr' cried Mr.. Smith.
Harry, old fellow, we really must be go
ingI"
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.
eEFF71-- ~
whispered AlonzO.
ooh, Alonzo,' cried Dora, all in a trem-
BILE, papa took it with himl''
''The deueeP' cried Alonzo. GLOW
ever, 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.
fThe garnet, quick; the garnet We can
let you out after papa and mamma are
as1eepl'
And Harry and Alonzo found them
selves Stun bling over one another on the
garnet stairs, while Kate dutifully I'M
barred the door.
"a cold night" said the deacon, rub
bling his hands together as he approached
the fire. ''How's your ankle, Kater'
Better, papa
"Mary Pilkington was in the front seat
when we got there said Mrs. Polberry
to her youngest born. You'd better ha'
come with usi''
Chow provokingi'' said Dora, biting her
lip.
"a nice fire. you've gotP' said the dea-
con. ''Mother, s'pose you just draw a
pitcher of cider, and I'll go up garrett arter
a few O. them shagbarks!'
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
garnet" said the deacon. ''Waa1, I guess
I can find all I want in the dark
And up stairs he went, with firm, res
olute tread, which struck terror into the
hearts of the fair oonspirators sitting
breathless 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
shootF enunciated voice of stern mean
ing.
"And who's we?'' questioned the deacon.
Harry Sy1ne and AlOnzo Smith
''What do you WANT said the deacon
pluckily, land what is that you're hold
ing ag'i in my head?''
"A revoIver-and we want your daugh-
tersl''
Hold on, hold on. my young friendsr'
said the deacon. lis this fair?''
''Why, no; it ism t." said Harry Syme,
land that's just what we have thought all
along"
tits exceedingly UNFAIR said Alonzo,
''to refuse US a chance because we aren't
rich''
Glow come you here9'' persisted the
deacon.
by the hand Of destiny"
Eyes or no? Time is precious. VIII
you give us your daughters, or shall we
shootf''
Don't shoot anyway cried the deacon.
"Let's talk it over
''The tina for talking has passed. Yes
or no?''
The deacon hesitated.
"But look here
Eyes or nos'' stern1y demanded the
voices.
''Wel1, 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:
'sYesl"
For what else could a man say under
the circumstances?
What the surprise and astonish-
ment of Kate, Dora and Mrs. Polberry
when the deacon presently appeared,
hanked en- 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 a TRIUMPH said
Alonzo. II knew he wouldn't refuse TO
listen to reason.
Papa, y cried Kate, precipitating her
self upon her sire, is this true?''
Dearest papa cbimed in Dora, "have
you really consented to make US happy"
Don't make fools of yourse1vesP' said
the deacon. 'tOf course have"
''I'm sure I'm very glad of it, said
Mrs. Polberry, with sigh of relief, as she