The Florence daily tribune., 1899-01-13

Well. / want To call all nature TO wit !
ness. you see. hut your papa begs |
leave TO differ with me. He says shall !
uever u-nIry you--ihat he will never !
give his consent
'.But I've given mine
We can't marry at home"
''Gretua Green is close
He says he will kill me II 1 steal
you"
And he would keep his word If he
said it,
Then what are we to do?''
Marry. of course. But I'm in hur
ry now. and have no time 10 talk and
plnn with you. Go on, now"
Zone kiss. please"
''Not one. sir
"oh. please"
''Well. there" and she kissed her
finger tips. threw them toward him and
fled.
THAT night as Fred Peterson lay in
his bedroom, tossing to and fro-fever-
ish. unable 10 sleep. striving. with all
his glowing faculties. to formulate a
plan by which he could obtain his
hearts treasure and at the time
live to enjoy IL. he was startled by a
light tap on the window. He listened
intently. and the tap was repeated
this time quite loud. He rose up 10
sitting posture and listened again.
Some time elapsed. then came a short
rap on the pane. He couldn't be mis-
taken now. Some one was AT the win
dow. He arose procured his revolver
and slipped cautiously to the window
et.rl, 1.rl hut fS
vaguely outlined figure outside.
who's out there? What is wanted?''
he called.
You are wanted" came back in
mysterious tones.
who are you?"
Raise the window and see"
ITS too dark to see"
Then hear and feel"
II fear it's 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 face. but two soft
warm lips accidentally run against his
own. And two arms that he thought he
by accident.
Get on your things. darling" said a
voice in tones aifectedly masculine
Come quick. dear. before your stern
old father hears us. The coast is clear.
darling. but-hu. ha!-therc is no time
to lose. Two gallant steeds await, i'm
patiently, our coming"
oh. CI-l fear" hesi:a;ed Fred.
True lose fears nothing" spoke the
one ON to- outside. hu'f appealing. hall
commanding, adding. in half serious,
half laughing tones: tome, while yet
the day cro..ches under the eastern
wall. while yet upon Thy cruel fathers
cyelids press ;he lcaGeu fingers of deep
sleep. Soon the bird OF ,,awuing viii
begin to drive the damp da.A Il with his
long. high notes. Come. sweet crea
turc. come away aud lets be one ere
comes another dag"
Fred htsitatcd ,.s longer. but hastily
dressed and had .,ut..i ctawled through
the window landing ia the odcrous en-
brace OF his nocturnal visitant.
\ soft, warm palm emLfaced his tiu-
gers. and an eager sweet voice said;
Come. this way!
\ fe,v seconds later, Maj. Tom Peter
son. suddenly awakening. heard muf-
hed ,oiley of l.oufs on the road, Won
dered what it could mean. then went
bach 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-
onda, cleaning up his trusty old rifle.
lie hadn't found out yet tina, his son
Fred 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 al home. While quietly
engaged wiping the last vestige of dirt
from barrel and hammer he casually
cast his eye down the road, and beheld
his enemy by inheritance coming
toward his house at furious stride.
lie now rose up and assumed ques-
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 bring this7" queried Peter
son, tapping his gun.
''No, sub, not now, sub. Come heah
this minute, sub"
Peterson went out, and while he was
approaching the gate Pitchford, with a