Cañon City record., 1899-02-16

sitting posture and listened again.
Some time elapsed. then came a short
rap on the pane. He corian't lie mis-
taken now. Some one Wa az he win
dow. He arose procured his revolver.
and slipped cautiously TO the window
The night was quite 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 your
-Raise the window and see.~
-It's too dark to see."
Then hear and feel"
II fear it's q 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
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 fatner's
eyelids press the ieaden 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 ne longer, but hastily
dressed and had soon crawled through
the window, landing in the odcrous en-
brace of his nocturnal visitant.
A soft. warm palm embraced his tn
gers, and an eager. sweet voice said:
Come, this way,"
few seconds later, Maj. Tom Peter
son, suddenly awakening. heard muf-
fed yolley of hoofs on the road. won
dered what 1t could mean. then went
back to sleep again.
At about ten O'Clock on the morning
of the above strange episode Maj. Tom
Peterson vas sitting out on his YER
anda, cleaning up his trusty old rife.
He hadn't found out yet tina, his son
Fred was not in his room The latter
of late. kept no regular hours. anH the
father didn't even know whether the
son had slept at home. While quietly
engaged wiping the last vestige of dir
from barrel and hammer he casaail,
cast his eye down the road, and behelo
his enemy by 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 ito
step out"
Must bring this?- queried Peter
son, tapping his gun
NO, sub. not now. suh- Come heah
this minute. sub"
Peterson went out. and while he was
approaching the gate Pitchford. with a
nervous hand. drew a piece of paper
from his pocket and reached il toward
the former. commanding:
Read this. sub. and tell me what
we'll do about it, suh,''
Maj. Peterson read the following:
Dearest Papa. Ilearred to-day thst vor
had taken oath to kill ny F-td II he
stole me ard ran of. with me. ! krow you
well enough to know you would nof break
that oath What was ! to do2 Could /
give him up, OF course not, Would I al
low my husband shot before. r-y Syva eSes
by my own father7 Certainly noti What
mus; do. what could do Wen. Eoos
sense came to my reSctie. lard ! decided tc
have stolen him but will be given a legal
right to keep the stolen goods Your low
ing daughter. BETTE"
Maj. Peterson stood a moment.
stunned with awe. Then he burst into
a loud laugh
well. major, we're in a neat trapl
But shan't kill your daughter. sub. for
stealing my son. sub, My voice is this:
III break my gun and bless my daugh-
ter. What do you propose to do, sub p
The old mans face was dark for a
moment, then mirth struck it and shat
tered it into smiles
by George. major. IN snap my
bowie and bless my son. subj"
Give me your handl This marriage
Of our children. suh-"
Divorces the feud forever. suhi"
Criterion