The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-11-24

live to enjoy it, he was startled by
| light tap on the window. He listened
intently, and the tap was repeated
this time quite loud. He rose up TO
sitting posture and listened again.
Some time elapsed, then came short
rap on the pane. He couldn't be mig
taken now. Some one was at the win
| dow, He arose, procured his revolver,
and slipped cautiously to the window.
| The night was quite dark, but his eyes
vaguely outlined a figure outside.
who's out there? What is wanted ?"
he called.
mysterious tones.
'WhO are you?"
Raise the window and see."
Its too dark to See"
Then hear and feel"
81 fear it's a burglar"
"The burglar doesn't want much"
"What does the burglar want?'
"Only you"
He raised the window and cautiously
thrust out his head.
He couldn't see a face, but two soft,
warm lips accidentally ran against his
own. And two arms that he thought he
recognized, went around his neck-all
| by accident.
Get on your things, darling" said
voice in tones affectedly masculine.
Come quick, dear, before your stern
old father hears US. The coast is clear.
darling, but-ha, ha!-there is no time
to lose. Two gallant steeds await, i'm
patiently, our coming"
"Oh, er-I fear" hesitated Fred.
True love fears nothing" spoke the
one on the outside, half appealing, half
commanding, adding, in half serious,
half laughing tones: Come, while yet
the day crouches under the eastern
wall, while yet upon thy cruel fathers
eyelids press the leaden fingers of deep
sleep. Soon the bird of dawning will
begin to drive the damp dark with his
long, high notes. Come, sweet crea-
ture, come away and let's be one ere
comes another day!"
Fred hesitated no longer, but hastily
dressed and had soon crawled through
lllC NlhdO", Ill TIC OuCIOuS clu-
brace of his nocturnal visitant.
A SOFT warm palm embraced his fin
gers, and an eager, sweet voice said:
Come, this way!"
A few seconds later, Maj. Tom Peter
son, suddenly awakening, heard nuf-
fled volley of hoofs on the road, won
dered what it could mean, then went
back to sleep again.
AT about ten o'clock on the morning
of the above strange episode Maj. Tom
Peterson was sitting out on his ver-
anda, cleaning up his trusty old rifle.
lie hadn't found out yet that his son
Pred was not in his room. The latter
Of late, kept no regular hours, and the
father didn't even know whether the
son had slept at home. While quietly
engaged wiping the last vestige of dirt
from barrel and hammer he casually
cast his eye down the road, and beheid
his enemy by inheritance coming
toward his house at a furious stride.
He now rose up and assumed a queR-
tioning attitude, as he had never had a
visit from Maj. Pitchford. He saw the
latter was white from some awful pas
sion.
Up to the yard gate came Maj. Pitch
ford and commanded his enemy ito
step out"
Must I bring this?" queried Peter
son, tapping his gun.
mo, sub, not now, sub. Come heah
this minute, sub"
Peterson went out, and while he was
approaching the gate Pitchford, with
nervous hand, drew piece of paper
from his pocket, and reached it toward
the former, commanding:
Read this, sub. and tell me what
we'll do about it, subj"
Maj. Peterson read the following:
Dearest Papa: learned to-day that you
had taken an oath to kill my Fred If he
stole me and ran off with me- know you
well enough to know you would not break
that oath. What was | to do? Could /
give him up? OF course not! Would I al
low my husband shot before my own eyes
by my own father? Certainly not! What
must | do? What could do? Well, good
sense came to my rescue. and decided to
steal Fred! Before you read this | will
have stolen him. but will be given a legal
right to keep the stolen goods. Your low
ing daughter, BETTE"
Maj. Peterson stood a mor1ent,
stunned with awe. Then he burst into
loud laugh.
well, major, we're in a neat trapI
But shan't kill your daughter, sub, for
stealing my son, sub! My voice is this:
I'll break my gun and bless my daugh-
ter. What do you propose to do, sub?
The old mans face was dark for a
moment then mirth struck it and shat
tered it into smiles.
by George, major, I'll snap my
bowie and bless my son, subj"
"Give me your hand! This marriage
of our children, sub"
divorces the feud forever, subj"
Criterion.