The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-09

"Ten oolookr' cried Mr.. Smith.
Harry, old fellow, we really must be 60
ing"
And at the same instant, like m echo to
his words, there came the sound of pro-
digious knocking. Deacon Polberry and
bis wife had come back from the prayer
meeting
"Tho key of the back door-quick !"
whispered Alonzo.
"Oh, Alonzo," cried Dora, all In trem-
BILE, papa took it with him'
1.-THE deuoeln cried Alonzo. "How-
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.
"The garnet, quick; the garrett We can
let you out after papa and mamma are
asleep"
And Harry and Alonzo found them
selves stumbling over one another on the
garrett stairs, while Kate dutifully IN
barred tho door.
"A cold night said the deacon, rub
bling bis hands together as he approached
the fire. "Hows your ankle, KateP"
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 us''
How provokingl" said Dora, biting her
lip.
IA nice fire you've gotl'' said the dea-
con, Mother, s'pose you just draw a
pitcher OF cider, and III go up garnet arter
few O. them sbagbarksn
Kate gave little shrek.
So late, papal"
Tntn't late," said the deacon CON-
posedly. "Get me u lantern, Dora"
Papa, the lantern is out at the barn, ="
said Dora, with chattering teeth.
"A candle amt snfe in that drafty old
gnrrct," 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 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 on effort to resist and we
shootr enuneiated q 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, "and what Is that you re hold
ing ngin my headr'
"A reyolver-and we want your daugh-
tersl"
Hold on, hold on, my young friendsr'
said the dencon. is this fairP"
"Why, no; 1t ism t." said Harry Syme,
land that's just what we have thought all
along"
TITS exceedingly unfair, said Alon2o
ito refuse us chance because we aren't
rich"
How come you hcreS" Persisted tho
deacon
by the hand Of destiny"
"Ycs or no? Time is precious, Will
you give us your daughters, or shall we
shoot"
Don't shootanyway cried the deacon.
Let's talk it over -
1.-The time for talking has passed Yes
or nor"
luc uPhCOH HGsltabeu.
But hook here
Yes or nor sternly demanded the
voices.
well, then don't squeeze my throat
80"
The grip on his throat relaxed come
whst, hut tho mu2zle Of the weapon never
stirred, and the deacon cried:
"Yesl"
For what else could O man say ondor
the circumstances?
What was the surprise and astonish-
ment Of Kate, Dora and Mrs. Polberry
when tho deacon presently appeared,
fanked on othor side by Harry the In
vincib!e, and Alonzo tho brave.
He has consented" cried Harry,
Squeezing the hand Of his future father
in-law
He has acted like triumph" said
listen to reason
Papa" cried Kate, preoipitating her
self upon her sire, lis this truep"
Dearest papa" chimed in Dora, "have
you really consented to make US happy"
g Don't make fools Of yourselvesI' said
the deacon. "Of course have"
"l'm sure I'm very glad of it, said
Mrs Polberry with a sigh Of relief, as she
reached down some tumblcrs for the cider
" But" said the deacon, looking in q
one sided and apprehensive manner, first
Mt the young gentleman on his left and
then the one on his right, "where is it9"
Where Is what2''
"The-the revolver"
ooh - said AlOnYO 'thnt was nothing
but the old broken iron we found on the
garrett floor.
The deacon groancd.
Don't distress yourself" said Alonzo
In I'D undertone We shall never men
ton the matter, you may depend, as long
as you keep faith with us. :"
Deacon Polberry's pretty daughters ore
both married, but although the deacon has
no open quarrel with his sons-in-law he
docs not court their society much. But,
after oil, why should he? He Isn't mar
lied to the young men.-Exchange.