The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-12-14

The result was table SNAPPED IKE
the letter 2, draped in white, garlanded
with evergreens. lighted with many
candles and showing all down the mid
die row Of big iced cakes. brave in
holly and cut paper trimmings Be-
sides all that pile of cut cake. at least
dozen sorts, there were nuts, candies.
fruit in pyramids. big bowls of wine
ielly. other bowls of ambrosia, and
all merely as supplement to hot cys-
tiers, roast turkey. roast pig, steaming
coffee and beaten biscuit.
"Say. squire. no wonder you amt
keen after housekeeper." Tom Tur-
ner said as he took his third help OF
roast pig.
Jim Wilson at his elbow nudged him
sharply, saying In stage whisper.
"Ain't you got sense enough to know
squire and Tennessee amt namin that
subject no more until New Year'sw
| 81 oughter "a knowed never
thought" Tom said.
The squire had walked away with
out answering. Jim looked after him
and said: Its plumb shame he won't
be riconciled to Betty Milan. but
worse believe for him and Tennes-
see to git at cross and pile. They're
30 mighty close to one mother, them
two. Wharever you see or hear the
one you're mighty apt to see and hear
| the other"
Bound to be that away. Tennes-
sees all the child his pa has got" Tom
said. "But bark! What's that? Some
| fellow must be shootin his Christmas
guns early"
"Them amt Christmas guns. They're
too close together" the squire said,
walking to window. open in spite of
the rain. Besides. they amt comm
right. They sound up towards Ken
lucky"
Il bet it's a runaway couple" Jim
Wilson cried, dashing out upon the
piazza. with the crowd pellmell at his
heefs~N"I hear horses and wheels and
folks hollerinr' he shouted back over
his shoulder as he darted down the
steps. Tennessee was close behind
him, so close that the darkness swal-
lowed them at the same instant. All
the rest could hear now out upon the
big road confused and strengthening
medley-shouts, cries, curses. gallOp-
ing hoofs. whirring wheels, sharply
punctuated now and again by a drop
ping shot
"Runaways! They're comm in. Hear
'em! They're through the gate! Here
squire! Get on the bottom step. with
your lantern ready! You'll have to dc
a quick job this time. surev' Tom Tur-
ner cried shoulA,ring the people aside
and setting the little squire in the
forefront of them. He was scarcely
steady upon his feet when a horsemar
upon a painting and foam covered beast
dashed into the clair obscure of the
lantern light. crying out: ''Fetch the
squire! Quick! He knows me-George
Perdue! Here's the license. squire
Fellow l know-stole his gal-old
and the sheriff. Tie 'em quick as you
can. Thar amt minute to lose. It's
all right. tell you! Thar they come
that couple in the buggy ahead"
The squire seemed to swell to stand
an inch taller He could heaA' above
the labored painting of the two horses
which drew the buggy the noise Of 9th.
er horses coming as furiously, cries and
curses, too, and the crack of a rife
the sharp report heralded by a lurid
glaneAng glare. Steadying himself on
Tom Turner's shoulder, he said in his
loudest, most official voice to the pail
hidden in the buggy's cavernous re
cess:
"Do you and each of you solemnly
agree and covenant before Almighty
God and these witnesses to take anG
keep each other for better or fol-
worse?'
1--WE do" came in smothered tones
from the clipping pair.
"Then, by virtue of the authority il
me vested, pronounce you man an(
wifew the squire shouted, making {
dart at the buggy and flinging bacl
the robe. Come in, come in, you
young people," he said. "Leave me t.
talk to the old man."
"You'll have to. pa. It's you he's
mostly mad WITH" Tennessee said
springing out and handing down hi
bride, tall, pretty girl, mud splashed
disheveled and smiling through hel
tears.
The squire, after one long, gaspins
stare, was fully himself. "It is m!
custom and privilege to-ahem!-kis:
the bride in such cases." he said. press
ing his lips to her forehead; then tt
his son. Take her inside, young man
don't forget you won the farm IL
winnin her."
mo, you don't take her inside" some
one cried from ten yards down th'
drive a second after. Old Man, Milan
had flung himself off his horse ant
was trying to lay hands upon hi:
daughter.
Squire Jordan stepped in front Of thu
angry man. 81 reckon our old grudgt
is settled for us. Henry" he said, hold
ing out his hand. Say, amt yol
ridin tonight some of that same ole
skewbald stock?"
Old Man Milan nodded. He coulo
not trust himself to speak.
"And it was beat in this runawa!
race by my same H'ackhawk blood
I oughter "a known that was Ten
nessee's span," the squire went O.
Judicially; then. with a whimsical
chuckle, 'Henry, don't it strike yo'
we've been a couple CT fools?'
sit does look sorter that way" OF:
Man Milan said. and then and Their.
the pair shook bands md fo'- endcf
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A THOUSAND ToNGUEs could not ez
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