Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-09

sitting posture and listened again
Some time elapsed then came shor
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
The night was quite dark, but his eyei
vaguely outlined figure outside.
"Whos out there? What is wanted@
he called.
"You are wanted" came back in
mysterious tones.
"Who are you?"
"Raise the window and see"
ats too dark TO see"
'"Then hear and feel"
~ fear its a burglar"
"The burglar doesn't want much
"Wbat 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 ran against his
own. And two arms thal he thought he
recognized. went around his neck-all
by accident.
sect on your things, darling" said a
voice in tones affectedly masculine
.'Come quick, dear, before your stern
old father hears us. The coast is clear
darling, but--ha, hai-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, halt
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 dayl"
Fred hesitated no 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 fin.
gers, and an eager. sweet voice said
Come, this way"
A few seconds later, Maj. Tom Peter.
son. suddenly awakening, heard NUT
fed 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 yer
unda, cleaning up his trusty old rifle
lie hadn't found out yet that 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 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
lie now rose up and assumed a 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 TO
step out"
Must ] bring this?" queried Peter
son. tapping his gun.
"No, sub. not now. sub. Come heah
This rnfun4a erh
Peterson went out. and while he was
approaching the gate Pitchford. with a
nervous hand drew piece Of paper
from his pocket and reached it toward
The former, commanding;
Read this, sub. and tell me What
Wen do about IL. suhl"
Maj. Peterson read the following;
Dearest Papa: learned to-day that YOU
had taken an oath 10 XIII my Fred II be
stole me and ran OF with me I know YOU
well enough 20 know you would not break
that oath What was ! TO do? Could
give him up? OF course mott Would / al
low my husband shot before my own eye
by my own father2 Certainly noti What
must ] do2 What could dor Well. good
sense came 10 my rescue. and decided ID
have stolen him. but will be given a leEa
right 10 keep the Stolen goods Your low
Ing daughter. BETTE"
Mai Peterson stood a moment
stunned with awe. Then be burst into
a loud augh.
Well major. we're in a neat trap
But ] shan't kill your daughter, sub, for
stealing my son, subj Ny voice is this;
I'll break my gun and bless my daugh
ter What do you propose TO do. sub p
The old mans face was dark for Z
moment. then mirth struck IL and shat
tered il into smiles.
BY George major. I'll snap M
I bowie and bless my son. suhi~
Give me your handl This marrag,
Of our children. sub"
Divorces the feud forever. subj
/ Criterion.
+ First Coree In Westcrn Europe.