The Winslow mail., 1899-01-28

his glowing faculties. to formulate 2
plan by which he could cb+nia h
/ hearts treasure and at the tirrl
/ live TO enjoy it. lie was startled bv &
light tap on the window He listcncC
/ intently. ard the tap was repeated
! this time quite loud. He rose uD to &
sitting posture and listened again
Some time elapsed, then came a shc7t
rap on the pane. He couldn't Ee mis-
taken now. Some one was at the win.
dow, He arose, procured his revolver
/ and slipped cautiously to the window
The night was cutie dark, but his eyes
vaguely outlined figure outside.
Who's out there? What is wanted?'
he called.
"You are wanted" came back in
mysterious tones.
who are you2"
Raise the window and see."
'It's too dark to see"
Then hear and feel"
Il fear it's z burglar"
'The burglar doesn't want much"
''What does the burglar want?'
"Only YOU
He raised the window ana cautiously
thrust out his head.
He couldn't see face, but two soft
warm lips accidentally ran against his
own. And two arms that he thought he
recognized, went around rs HCck-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.
''Truc love fears nothing" spoke the
one on the outside, half appealing, hall
commanding, adding, in kalf serious,
half laughing tones: Come, while yet
the day croTches 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 cne ere
comes another daJ'!"
Fred hesitated no longer, but hastily
dressed and had soGn crawled through
the window, landing i'll the odcrous en-
brace of his nocturnal visitant.
A soft, warm palm embraced his I'm
gers, and an eager, sweet voice said
Come, this way!"
A few seconds later, Maj Tom Peter
son, suddenly awakening, heard snuf-
fed volley of loofs on the road, won
dered what it could mean, then went
back to sleep again.
At about ten o'clock on tie morning
Of the above strange episode Maj. Tom
Peterson was sitting out on his YER
anda, cleaning up his trusty old rifle.
He hadn't found out yet that his son
Fred was not in his room. The latter,
Of late, kept no regular hours, an5 the
father didn't even know whether the
son had slept at home. While quietly
engaged wiping the last vestige CT dirt
from barrel and hammer he casually
east his eye down the road, and beheid
his enemy 10y Inheritance coming
toward his house at a furious stride.
He now rose up and assumed a Ques-
tioning attitude, as he had never had
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 "to
step OUT
"NIust 1 bring this?" queried Peter
son, tapping his gun.
'No, sub, not now, sun. 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
well do about it, subj"
Maj. Peterson read the following:
Dearest Papa: 1 learned to-day that you
had taken an oath to kill my Fred if he
stole me and ran off with me. know You
we'll enough to know you would not break
that oath What was l to do? Could
give him up? Of course noti Would ! al
low my husband shot before my own eyes
by my own father? Certainly not, What
must 1 co? What could do? Well, good
sense came to my rescue, and Cccldcd to
steal Fred! Before you read this Wi!
have stolen him, but will be given legal
right to keep the stolen goods. Your low
ing daughter BEL IL.
Mai. Peterson stood a moment,
stunned with awe. Then he burst into
loud laugh.
"Well, major, we're in a neat trap!
But I shan't kill your daughter, sub, for
stealing my son, sub! My voice is this
I'll break my gun and alcss my daugh'
ter What do you propose to do, sub q
The old mans face was dark for q
moment, then nlirth struck it and shat
| tered it into smiles.
"By George, major, LII snap my
| bowie and bless my son, suh!'
"Give me your hand! This marriage
of our children, sub"
Divorces the feud forever, sub!
| Criterion.