The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-04-20
Il must take my life-and life is sweet
70 me. You eat nothing. sir"

4ib tuis CuTbcu cuohiuS Oreaus
said Fitzroy. breathing heavily. Here
woman. have you no more milk?"
"Nay ,sir"-thec crone had reappeared
mot drop more. My COW is gone dry.
II have plenty in my DISH" inter
posed McDougalL "Nay. man. dip in
dip in! We farmers stick. not at fin.
table civilities."
A certain somber determination IN
his piercing eye compelled Fitzroy &c
obey reluctantly. Then he did not ca,
the bread.
"You have not asked me why life Il
sweet" said the Scotsman. surely O
happy maa should be an object of curl.
osity! Since you ask not, will tell you
of mire own accord. | am passably
young. l have health and strength.
have land enough to wiring a living
from. and in December I am to marry
the sweetest girl in all Scotland. 1t
Is much TO live for. is It not. sir?" with
eyes riveted on FiNroy's.
Gentlemen." interrupted their sin
ister-faced hostess. "am | bid to make
up beds here? Or do you purpose to
take the road?"
McDougall hesitated. First show me
how my horse is lodged" he said to the
old dame. Scarce had they disappeared
together into the dusky doorway of the
dilapidated clubhouse before the wom-
an sped eagerly back to Fitzroy.
Quick" she whispered. pulling him
into the house. "Here"-producing a
pistol from cupboard-"' tbs his; cut
IL from his holster whilst you supped.
You need not fear him now. Tis a
coward. anyway"
"'Tis brave mani" flashed Fitzroy.
yet II he sleeps here need not. . {.
Woman. he fed me from his own dish.
And he would have dined me at the
Golden Goblet. had dared to show my
self there"
"He hath reckoned for the supper
already" grinned the crone. II sped
back to tell you where he carries his
money"
"In his saddle-bags?'
Nay, It's in a little buckskin bag
within his coat. It clinks most amaz-
ing heavy, nor would he pull the string.
After all, It's a trust and must not be
touched he said. and paid me with
shilling from another pocket. Why
hang you back, sir?"
A sudden sound smote the highway
mans ears before he could answer
the sound Of swift hoofs splashing on
wet road. Breaking to the door he saw
horse and rider making furious haste.
His prey had escaped him.
"Quick, fool, my horse!" he cried,
flinging himself frantically across the
beast when she brought it, and extend
Ing. instead Of good-by. hasty hand
for the purloined pistol. He could
scarcely account for his change of
mood. Chagrin at being outwitted.
fear Of remaining as tame sport for the
old womnn's gibes, pricked him on.
His fresher horse quickly outran the
travellers more jaded one, which. at the
sound of shot from behind. threw his
wounded rider in the thick mud
and galloped on, mad with terror.
In the one instant of Fitzroy's dis
mounting the hurt man struggled to his
feet Come on, SIR" he said, with
ghastly composure. "You have not yet
dipped your hands in my blood. You
dipped them last-in my dish-you
wretched betrayer-coward!" As he
fell in the vain attempt TO pull his adj
versary down with him, one sharp cry
Of pain, of human dependence. quiv-
cred in the air, preceding deadly stiil-
ness: "Kit;y!"
"Why need he shrek that o. muttered
Fitzroy. "'Tis strange In faith, I |
would his Kitty had him. and I the
buckskin bag"
Recalled to the need for haste, he |
knelt down and fumbled for the bag.
opened it,and then laughed loudly and |
hoarsely. "Shillings! One, two"-he
counted thirty. and his hands shook.
He wished nightly it had been any
other number, even lesser; and could |
not have sworn that the pale, dead.
scornful lips beside him did not repeat:
'Tis bit of Judas-work. In the
bag lay letter. whose address:
ITO Mrs. Dorothy White,
Durham"
struck him with vague, unpleasant
sense of familiarity:
"Dr. Aunt" 1t read, these 30s, will be
landed you by a brave gentleman and true,
DR.. Duncan Mehlongall Of this place. Him
am to mary in littel time. The silver
'eaces are for you to add to that gave
ou for welding gown VIII. you. honoured
Aunt. promised me the favour to by for
ne. Send 1t back by him, and pray you of
r. cUecsy to low him as you love me, for
owe him as do my Self. Yr moast dutirul
Ieace, KITTY FITZROY,"
Thirty pieces Of silver, flung in as
many different directions, splashed into
he little roadside bitches. II have be-
rayed the innocent blooi!" cried Fitz-
10y.
His face was ashen. He peered with
yes of horror at the still thing at his
eet. "a bad business!" he muttered.
'Brother-in-law,. / could wish you a
'etter part in the play than that Of my
irst victim"