The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-12-20

"Rey Day." she read in horror strick-
en- tones, while Bridget, ever keeping
restraining eye on me, reiterated,
ooh, tn thafe" at the top of her voice.
Nov, see here" l began, "listen to
reason, will you" But at that instant
Bridgets gaze fell on the umbrella,
and my last hope for mercy flickered
and went out.
Betty, me darlin', see tn umbrelly,"
she howled. Its Misther Cross sure,
and this miserable thafe has made off
with it from TIL station"
Betty at once fell foul of the UNI
brella with blushing cheeks, while
Bridget turned on me, taking a frmer
grip on poker and hammer.
Now, be gone, ye sphalpine! Ye
lynn, thayin' scoundrel, show us the
bottoms of yer boots directly"
ALAS" I returned without moving,
81 have none to show, but / do have a
message from this same Mr.. Cross,
provided he's the station agent, to Miss
Betty"
Betty blushed still more deeply, but
tossed her head independently. After
moment however, she glanced over
her shoulder and challenged, 81 don't
believe a word of It,"
"As surely as | sit here" l declared
solemnly, "he intrusted message to
me and made me promise to deliver
It," and then l stopped.
Bridget came a step nearer. Betty
bent forward eagerly. "Out with it"
commanded Bridget.
I hunched down comfortably in my
chair and spread my hands over the
hot stove. mot one word more until
morning" l declared firmly. 'In the
morning I'll tell you"
Bridget and Betty retired to Il cor
ner and consulted, Brldget's face be-
ing turned in my direction still. Frag-
ments of the conclusion reached me
"The barn-sleigh robes-till they come
home"-
1t was Getty who explained the con-
nectiOn between these ineoherent re
marks, and 1t was evidently Betty who
had persuaded Bridget to harbor me
on the premises If | would submit to
the conditiOns-namely, leave the stol-
en- goods with her and Bridget, betake
myself to the barn, daTist while tl22o
from smoking and be quiet until Mrs.
Smith should return and admit me to
the house or not, as she wished.
If" as Bridget grimly added, I'VE
amt legged it monny Il mile away
thinkin' of tn prison barsv'
| had given my promise; therefore |
submitted and ambled forth in slap
ping slipper and patent leather shoe,
while behind me came Bridget, fully
and beside her Betty holding
the lantern, which cast my shadow i'm
mense and grotesque with the old der
by resting on my ears and the agents
raincOat tapping about me. At the |
last moment Betty had allowed me the |
protection Of the agents umbrella, $50
long as it is his worst one," she ex-
planned to Bridget
Betty unlocked the barn door and, |
rolling 1t back, pointed to a sleigh Just
inside the door. There are robes In |
he Sleigh" she said, 80 You needn't |
'reeze." Then she came quite close
md spoke low, And hope you're not
| thief and viii be here in the morn
ng."
MY mortal frame will certainly be
lere," l answered solemnly, climbing
nto the front seat Of the sleigh, but
whether it will be in timber or solid
fed condition only the morning will
eveal"
The door was rolled back again, and
was left In darkness to wrap myself
Up as best l could in the fur robe, UNI
ler whose warmth l laughed at the
ate unpleasantness. Finally l dozed
Fl, with the comforting reflection that
% one but Clara would know of my
and that could get out