The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-10-31

UVpffs on tuem IOT NuTsOus IVuroub,
dnd perhaps this boy was not unlike
other boys. In any event. he was up
the tree. and he heard what was said
underneath his perch. and, though
frightened almost out Of his wits, he
did not forget any part Of II. and,
what was better still, being faithful
boy, he told no one except Mr. Mel
don. John Meidon had been good to
the boy. and he was old enough to
know that Mr.. Meldon's course OF
true love was not running smoothly.
"An', Mr.. Meldon." said the boy, In
concluding his marvellous tale. Miss
Kitty didn't want to run away an
git married, but that major man said
ms how II was the best way. and she'd
have to. She cried bit, but she said
she'd do It and show some people
they couldn't lead her round by the
nose. or somethin' like that"
Mr.. Meldon WINGED at this, but
smiled family. and gave the boy q
dollar bill. with the admonition
TO say nothing TO anyone about what
he had heard. The five dollars was
not needed to fix the boys loyalty.
but he put the money In his pocket
because he had other uses for IL.
On the appointed night. with every
detail OF the proposed elopcment clear
before him as reported by the boy. Mr..
Meldon and two friends lay hidden In
the border OF raspberry bushes not
far from Kitty's window. The sky was
overcast and the night very dark, but a
faint light shone from the window.
An hour after midnight a figure APP
peared under the window, low whis-
tie went upward and presently Kitty's
eyes peered down into the darkness.
The major was there alone with a lad
der, which hd placed In position for her
to step out upon.
Throw down the money and the
jewcl,y," whispered the major. "and
while ! take them around to the car
riage you get ready and I'll come back
for you"
Kitty dropped couple OF packages
out into the darkness. which the ma
jor found with dark lantern. and
started of with toward the lane be-
yond the garden. As he passed the
raspberry bushes two men suddenly
seized him. and before he could make
any ohtcry he was gagged and his
hands were tied. The third man went
to the foot Of the ladder and low
whistle, as before, called Kitty to the
window. Bonneted and wrapped, she
came down the frail ladder and
dropped into the arms waiting for her
was kissed eacouragingly and hurried
away to the carriage.
"Our driver Is gone," whispered her
compa nion-the two en- who had
looked out for the major had not neg
lected the driver--but that doesn',
matter. Hurry into the carriage ant
I'll drive you around to the church
where your own pastor is waiting Ia
marry us. darling" and out of the
| darkness came another kiss for Kitty
who was so dazed by the excitement OF
IL all that she scarcely knew what was
happening. But as the carriage
whirlcd away noiselessly down the
| soft road of the lane, she realized
vaguely that II was very thoughtful OF
| the mai jor to have her own pastor take
part in this romantic marriage of hers
On the drivers box sat three men and
two of them chuckled as II In triumph
The man with the lines tight in his
hands over the horses was silent as the
grave.
At the church the carriage stopped
Two of the men went in by side door
and shortly after them came the thirt
with Kitty. There was scarcely ligh,
enough to see ones hand before one,
face. but the CHEEKY voice Of Kitty's be
loved pastor seemed almost like ray
| Of sunshine to her, and she heard onl,
that during the brief ceremony which
followed. Even that was faint and In
| distinct In words, but the sound OF q
soothed her and seemed to fall ns /,
blessing upon this wild act of hers
which without II she did not believ,
she could have carried to the final nc
comp.ishment. Regret was coming I,
Kitty, but wilful people do not wal
upon regrets. She knew at last tha
she was Mrs. Hunter; she heard tn,
minister's words which pronounced th'
twain one flesh, and then came littl,
prayer, and after IL hearty voice on
Of the dimness Of the chapel.
MY very best wishes" Mrs. Meldon.'
Il said. and Kitty, as some one turnet
the lights on full, saw John Meldon q
her side and near him her pastor an,
her only brother. She could do not b
ing at all. not thing except to faint away
which she did promptly.
When she regained consciousness
she was at her own home again will
John Meldon and her mother smiling
down upon her. What had fnppen net
she could not tell, but some thing tha
made her cry and put out her hands
not to her mother, but to John Mel
| don.
And the major? Well, after the cere
mony, when they went to find him Il
the grass where they had left him
they found only the handkerchief
with which he had been so hastil
gagged and tied. The money and tn
jewelry had gone with the major.
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