The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-04

pitchfork in hand, voice said. ''
Mark, old chap, how be your"
Mark shook like a leaf. Mr.. Burns was in town
1t was market day.
1--WE didn't scarcely know Won connie; ;, 49,,
Bill, emerging from the hay. "You riding like =
KING ana we scrawling our two feet"
Mark shrank back toward the cattle
y' we knew you'd got out here, and 'twa.
worth lookin after, so come after you"
is, gasped Mark, "is Bloody Dick here too?v
"Why-not exactly. He's on the road waiting
for the farmer"
TO kill him?"
Bill laughed and rubbed his hands
Only quiet him bit. Now, Mark. YOU hear.
siderable silver"
81 don't know nothin', began Mark
I'VE do, though. It's in box under his bed
If you can get it out all right if not-weII we
know how to help ourselves-spread it round as
you jaibrd, took for hookin' things and
blame it to you"
"Where's Dick?" gasped Mark looking round
him fearfu11y
Dicks comfortable. He's way back in that
dark bit of valley by the bridge. He'll come along
soon as the coasts clear and keep the woman in
there and child from squealin, while we pack I'D
what we want. I'll tap on that side door when
we're ready, and you'll open kind of quiet and
show us where the farmer keeps that chest I'm
derstand?"
Mark nodded, his tongue refused service.
Then mind you're on hand!" Bills tone was
herce and menacing, and suddenly Selling the
lad in his arms he tossed him headforemost into
the hay Ere Mark, buried and suffocated found
his feet again, Bill had disappeared.
Brother, brotherl suDpers ready"
Go away!" cried Mark ferce1v as his idol
appeared at the barn door He went on with his
work. feeling that though unseen, Bills sinister
eye was watching his movements. When Chris
was safely indoors he himself crossed the yard
and entered. Softly yet swiftly he went the round
of windows and doors, barring the strong shut
tiers. rejoicing in the locks which he perceived
would stand siege.
"Why, brother your face is all scratched 10.
What's amiss?" asked Mrs. Burns as Mark took
his CUP from her hand.
"I had a fall" replied Mark g1ooui1y
How peaceful and happy was this dear home
Chris, sitting his mothers Lap, was hearing
about the Christ Child, born in Bethlehem. Mothet
and child seemed creatures in clean, pure world
in which he had place. He looked fearfuly
round-was there gap anywhere in the shutter
through which the evil beast outside might be
overlooking this happy pair? No; the curtains
were drawn Bill had no chance for espionage
Somewhat relieved, Mark rose and took his muf-
fer and cap.
The boy paused at the door
you're going out, Mark"
Lock it after me-" he said; "and don't open
it-not for no one"
"Why, brother?"
Mark was gone. He slid through the narrowest
"p0iihS pOSSlDle' nStehed 70 near the bolts driven
nome, then crept stealthily into the shadow Of
the bushes to the road. Suppose ne was hiding
there-what should he do? Bill would murder
him! He paused to listen. An icy wind stirred
the trees, set the larches moaning while the pines
shook cones in showers upon the snow The
idea that he could warn the farmer had not come
at once to Mark. lie had been too much alb
sorbed in his horror Of the men and what they
might do to Chris but it came and with it the
way in which the end might be compasscd The
road forked some distance before the bridge
Mark must reach the fork before the farmer But
how' BY the short cut through the pine wood.
down the preciptous cliff path to the valley. Mark