Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-08-29


Then he began his progress toward
TIE house. moving slowly and caItiou
ly. paering through the darkness III
every direction At each step. to guard
against discovery, or 10 make his es.
cape in time.
When he was halfway across the
lawn he was startled b. the deep
voiced barking of Squire Co-ams bull.
dog. Excelsior felt a sudden sinking
AT the heart, as bark after bark issued
from the throat of that formidable ami
NAL: but he recovered his courage
when he remembered Betty's assur-
aace that old Towser was chained.
The only fear was that the dog
would alarm the house and that fear
was soon realized. The voice of Squire
Coram was heard. speaking 10 the dog.
and ii was apparent that h. was about
TO issue from the house with the in
tention OF searching the grounds.
Excelsior was equal to this emer-
gency. He ran to TIE garden :eace.
jumped ever it and hid in the cur.ant
bu. hess. But he was opgre ;sel b.
terrible fear.
Suppose the squire should turn the
dog loose"
But the squire did nothing CT the
kind. lie looked abcu: the lawn lit
tie. ru;taring tina. old Toxser had
been barking az some cat o: stray dog.
addressed some words of ;eDroot I,
the animal. and returned 10 the house.
Faint heart never won :2ir lady.
thought Excelsior. as he prepared to
jump over The garden fierce and renew
his attempt.
The night was very dark. and no
did not try to find the precise spot at
which he had previously climbed the
fence. The result was. taat when he
leaped over. he found himself standing
in something scft and sticky. that
slushel up about lis legs very I'M
plea. antly
He felt it. and discovered. to his in
finite disgust, that he was standing in
pct OF soft soap. which hal been
made dur.ag the dag and let cut to
cool.
This was very ncrt:fying. and ii left
his clothes in an unpleasant condition.
although he rubbed OF as much of the
greasy mixture as he could.
Never mind" he thought: If she
loves me. as I an sure she does. she
won't care about the soap
Again he worked his way toward the
house. To his great delight. the dog
was now quiet, his masters reproof
having had the effect OF restraining
him from barking.
There was light burning in Betty's
window and toward 1t. as the guiding
star. Excelsior directed his steps But.
just as he came beneath the window
it was extinguished.
While he wondered at tais, a side
door opened and Betty herself APP
peared before him. She was attired in
a travelling dress. and carried a shawl
and reticule. She was evidently pre-
pared to elope, and the Young mans
happiness was complete.
My brave Excelsior" she cx.
claimed. My noble Podd How shall
ever thank you TOR this? Eut what
is the matter with your shoes? Thy
sound so queer"
The fact is" stammered the young
man. that got into pot Of soft soap
out here
Have you endured that for M?
What a splendid fellow you are. Lam
ready. Let us hurry. But first let mo
speak to the cog. | was so afraid that
father would find you. or that he would
turn Towser loose"
Betty stepped lightly TO the h,ii'ioS's
kennel. petted him on the h&a1. ana
spoke kindly to HIN. and thea returned
tot he young man.
Can you get ne over The call
feace?" she asked
Yes; | put stepladder there
Let us make taste. Thea"
They reached the fence stc ni;ly and
without difficulty. Excelsior went ever
first: then Betty climbed the steplai.
der and jumped eff ard he received
her in his arms. E.e;se privilege.
Glorious possession. The beauty ana
the Ee:ress of Bung;own was now al
his cwn. his own forever. He even
forgot the soap in his shoes.
He was beginning what h. intaa led
to be very pretty speech. expressive
o. his love and devotion. when Betty
interrupted I'm.
There is no time to speak of that
now" she said. Il am sac ard will
be far from here When father awakes;
but there is no tine t. lose"
Where shall we go. Betty"
Il will shcw you. IL is all arranged.
Come with me"
She led him through the grove to tho
read. where hcrse and buggy wero
standing. AT the horses head was o
man whom Excelsior presently recog.
nized. to his great surprise. as George
Deering.
why. George, what on earth are
you doing here?" he asked.
4 knew what was going on. replied
Deering. and brought buggy TO help
the young lady eff. always stand by
my friends. especially When they stand
by me- Have the kindness to assist
Miss Betty into that vehicle. ny dear
Podd. and soon everything will be
lovely"
Excelsior did as lie was requested
to do. and was about 10 follow tho
young lady into TIE buggy. when Deer
ing halted him.
Wait a moment. my dear fellow
said the latter I'VE r1ust cOnSult tho