The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-06-13


intently, and the tap was repeated
this time quite loud. He rose up to a
sitting posture and listened again. !
Some time elapsed, then came short |
rap on the pane. Re 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 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."
Its too dark to See"
''Then hear and feel
II fear it's burglar"
"Tbe burglar doesn't want much"
"Wha. 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 that he thought he
recognized, went around lis peck-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"
"True lore fears nothing" spoke the
one on tie outside, half appealing, half
commanding, adding, in half serious,
half laue k-sy tones: "Cor,c, while yet
The day crogches under the eastern
wall. while yet upon thy cruel fatner's
eyelids press the leaden fingers of deep
sleep Soon the bird of dawning will
begin to drive the damp daci with his
lcag, high notes. Come, sweet crea-
ture, come away and let's be one ere
comes another day."
Fred hes;tated no longer, but hastily
dressed and had socn crawled through
the window. landing in the odcrous en-
Grace of his nocturnal visitant-
a soft, warm palm embraced his fin
I
Come. this wayl"
a few seconds later, Maj. Tom Peter
son, suddenly awakening, heard a muf-
fed yolley of Loofs on the road, Won
dered what st could mean. then went
back to sleep again.
AT about ten o'clock on the morning
Of the above strange episode Maj. Tom
1 Do 81 lie
anda, cleaning up his trusty old rife.
He hadn't found cut 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 yestige 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.
He 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"
"Nfust 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 a
nervous hand. drew a piece of paper
from his pocket, and reached it toward
the former. commanding:
Read this, sub, and tell me what
wen do about it, subj"
Maj. Peterson read the following:
Dearest Papa: Learned to-day that YOU
had taken an oath to kill my Fred if he
stole me and ran of with me know you
well enough to know you would lot break
that oath. What was to Co? Could /
give him up? or course notl Would al
low my husband shot before my own eyes
by my own father? Certainly notl What
must 1 Co? What could do? Well. good
sense came to my rescue, and decided 10
steal Fredl Before you read this will
have stolen him. but will be given legal
right to keep the stolen goods. Your low
ing daughter. BETTE.
Mai. Peterson stood a moment,
stunned with awe, Then he burst into
loud laugh.
'Well, major, we're in neat trap.
But shan't kill your daughter, sub, for
stealing my son, sub. My voice is this /:
I'll break my gun and sless my daugh-
ter. What do you propose to do, sub p
The old mans face was dark for a
moment. then Eiirth struck it and shat
tered it into smiles.
"By George. major. Ill snap my
bowie and bless my son, suhi"
Give me your handl This marriage
of our children, sub
Divorces the feud forever, subj"
Criterion.
, First Coffee in Western Europe.
Louis NV. of France drank the first
run of coffee mnTa in v-esfern FuroDe