The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-16


love of mischief. 1t began one
y afternoon when Mr.. Caring
ton had called to pay his respects, and
Squire BorthrOp, having torn Bony to
bits u dozen times, became eloquent
over "A recent case of road robbery. He
ragged at highwaymen and their vic
Tins alike: Burn me-" he said, "what
will It come to next? Two gentlemen
held up by these scoundrels within
sound o. the blessed church bells, ant
please you. And to think they stood
like lambs to be fleeced, and delivered
their money quaking. Ours. 'Tis a
very encouragement to these night
riders. Two against two, think ont,
and the gentlemen shivering cravens
Iounds' Twill make or this country
little France If everyone is going to
give up his purse to the first thief that
has the burned impudence to ask it,"
The gentlemen were unarmed in this
case" urged Mr.. Darlington, mildly.
Sir" cried the squire. "'Twere not
safe to arm such fellows. They should
be whipped and put In petticoats. Hey,
Betty"
And he turned to his daughter for
support.
"'Twere an insult to the petticats,"
Miss Betty vowed.
'Ha, believe 'ee," said the squire.
Yet l know men not altogether
towards that have had to deliver" Mr..
Darlington protested.
He had some obstinacy about him,
and would not abet the 'squire's whole
hearted denunciations. Moreover, it
seemed to him unfair to assume these
gentlemen cravens. But Miss Betty
was more even for valor than her
father. And she had her reasons. For
one thing, Mr.. Darlington, who was
wont to be as bashful as a rabbit in
her presence, had presumed to contra
dict. which was intolerable. For an
other. she began to have a shrewd sus-
picion that he was no great hero HIM
self. and was, as 1t were, defending
himself against the 'squire's attacks.
And that was still more intolerable,
for Miss Betty had pictured for her
Wooer some knight of prowess, who
should win her by his masterfulness.
There was, it may be perceived, some
contradictiousness in Miss Betty also,
though she did not see it.
Maybe you also have stood and de-
livered yourself?" she suggested con-
temptuously.
The young man colored.
Il was never called on" he said.
But an you had been?"
Why" he said, forcing smile, who
can answer for himself? If / were de-
fenseless and some one set a pistol at
my heart, | vow | hardly know what I
should do"
Miss Betty tossed her head.
Indeed. discretion is a virtue" she
said. numerically.
For the French" put in the squire
Tor the frog eaters, ! tell zee. But
purn me, I'd drive forty mile out O. nv
way to avoid the Englishman that
Knew the meaning ont"
And J." said Miss Betty.
MI Darlington rose to go. He was
quick and thn-skinncd enough TO see
mat n" was in no great favor. And
me lnpulation hurt him. Squire Bor-
lhrup, who was not in the habit of
listening to peoples words. much less
~ studying their frames of mind, urged
nm I" stay. Mr. Carrington looked
toward Betty, and. finding her en-
lranced by the struggles of a blue
no'tle fly belated into winter, declared
that he had urgent business.
wei, said the squire. disappointed
you must come again shortly. To-
m"rroW-no. Tomorrow must to Lon
uol'' more's the pity. And / am held
there Till the day after. Egad. and
mat Is Christmas eve. since time flies
tell zee what-you shall meet n. AZ
the crossroads at o the clock
christmas eve-and we 'ull return
hlther and sup together, and drink con-
fusion to all varlets, and Bony first
ma some port l tell zee, We ha'nt
tasted the like of-and Betty shall sing
TO us arter, hey?"
Again Mr.. Darlington looked douht-
fully toward the 'squire's daughter 70
see II she would second this invitation
And' indeed, if he had known what
was in her mind he would have been
justified in his little hope. For that
young lady was just possessed of an
idea which for mischief SURPASSED
most. On the strength of it she could
muster a smile
hope, indeed, that Mr.. Darlington
VIII meet you at the cross-roady
lather and return to sup" she said
Graciously.
His hopes went up like q mercury.
lie vowed that nothing could give him
SO great pleasure, and. not presum-
ing TO stay for fear a rebuff should
lay him low again, took his departure.
"Pah!' said Betty. behind his back
The idea that had seized her when
she feigned to be gracious once again
was due, as | have said, partly to
love of mischief and partly to Of
Tended dignity. To think of it-she,
Miss Elizabeth Borthrop, of the Ma
nor House. to have for lover a man
that might play the coward. TO be
expected to intrust her fair self to the
Keeping OF one who could run away
at the sight of a pistol! The thought
sent flush to her cheeks. 1t was de-
grading. More, it ought to be pun
ished And in looking forward to the
castlgation, she quite forgot his hith-
erto redeeming qualities-his great
good nature, his patience. his devotion.
She only remembered his poverty of
spirit in her presence, and his un-
likeness to her ideal wooer-which
things this new discovery accounted