Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-27

| used to be the freshest, serviceablest creature
in the county. People said 1t was because Of
Wills nightwork, and that she had begun tc
care for him.
| One night the Squire had been dining in or
about Ockham. He ordered his horse to be
| saddled, and while he was in the hall, one ol
the gentlemen said to him:
Look out that you don't have to lend your
money tonight, Squire"
chow much do you WANT" says the Squire,
whose fist was never shut to q friend.
"Oh, I'm not the Borrower" says the gen.
tleman, laughing, "that set them talking about
the robberies on the road of late"
WE'LL" says the Squire, "I'll wager you
the fellow doesn't borrow penny from me-"
He took two of the gentlemen at a bet Of
fifteen pounds piece. He set out, and short
ly after they mounted to follow and see fair
play. The night was fine, the moon was up
| one OF those pleasant summer nights when
you'd rather be awake than asleep. The Squire
trotted on merrily. He turned when he came
| to the lane leading down to Bentholme river,
and stood up under hedge, and presently he
heard the two gentlemen trot past He sus-
pected trick, do you see, and when he saw
one of them turn into gate some way down
the road, to make short cut, thinks he: 81
know what they're up to, but I'm their
match" So he drew his hat low down over
bis head, and on he went. Bentholme Meads
is lonely place. You're a couple of miles
from any habitation; ysu have the river on
| one side of you, and Spenth Woods on the
| other. Just as the Squire was riding round the
hedge out of the road to have a gallop on the
grass, a man on horseback leaps in front of
him. The Squire pulled back into the shadow,
and, Disgusting his voice to have a moments
| fun, :. Hulloa ~ he sings out grufiy, " be you
Mr.. Borrower"
81 am" says the other.
The Squire was expecting the voice Of his
| friend. Not hearing that, he saw that it was
no joke. Keeping still in the shadow, he drew
his pistol-he was peppery-cocked it, and
fred point blank. The highwayman's right
| arm fell, and he gave groan. His hat dropped
off, his face was bare.
60 Good God ?" cried the Squire
Just then he heard his friends coming up
behind the hedge.
Here it is" the Squire sang out in his
assumed voice, and thrust his purse out for the
highwayman to take. He seemed surprised,
but hearing voices, he turned right about and
gallOped off.
when the other two gentlemen had managed
to push through the hedge, they could hardly
believe their senses to see the Squire as pale as
death, trembling like child. They told him
he bad lost the bet and he said they should be
paid next day. The story flew like wildfre.
People sheok their heads They couldn't be-
lieve the Squire a coward. But what were
they to think? The Squire had paid the
money, beyond q doubt
After that, Squire Sigister shut himself up.
He was aged twenty years by that night. He
walked to church like a very old man. Moth
ing more was heard Of the Borrower, and the
roads got safe again. One day Susan was sent
TOR to come to the hall. She put on her best
Sunday dress, and went in a dreadful furry
not knowing what to think of it, When she
came back she looked brisker. The truth was
the Squire had said to her, Find out my SON
wherever he may be; fetch him here alive
and L III marry you both within a week, so help
me, Heaven :" We only heard this later, for
Susan kept her own counsel.
Susan knew that Will Green was aware of
Mr.. Roberts whereabouts. Ineedn't tell you
what women are, and what they'll condescend
TO do when they want to worm anything out
OF man. Susan began her cajoleries with
Mr.. Will. He swOre afterwards that she had
deceived him. l fancy she made HIM think,
IN some wonderful woman's way, that she cared
no more for Mr.. Robert, and that perhaps her
mouth was commencing to water for Will
Green. At any rate, by Will's aid, she man
aged to light upon Mr.. Robert in cottage
twenty miles off. She brought him home to
the Squire, with his arm in a sling; father and
son were reconciled; and then came the extra
ordinary thing. Susan refused to marry Mr.
Robert!
This caused her, of course, to be very much
observed and spoken about. She was called
number Of names; but she didn't seem to care
for 1t, and this was vexation to one of our Cos
sips, Mrs. elliott, the grocer's wife. She put
ON her bonnet on evening, and proceeded to
pay Farmer Dawson visit. The farmer was
out, but she hit upon Susan alone.
"Well, Susan,' says she, after rounding
about the business, $50 you're to be married
ut last :"
:" ?" cries Susan; "you're mistaken,
ma'am."
Not at ALL" replies the old lady. "And
now that he's reclaimed from the error of his
ways, it's very proper you should"
Susan grew pale. "What Ways" she gasped.
"Well," says the old lady, 'syou know how
the whisper goes. The robber doesn't rob
now, and VIII Green stops at home. 1 mako
no accusation
"Will Green" Susan,pronounced the name,
and from close upon faint, she burst into
laugh. "Do you suppose, Fam, I am going
to marry him! Pray, undeceive yourself in.
"Yes, there's two to speak to that. Prsv.
undeceive yourself instantly" says Will
Green, in person, as he marches into the room.
he didn't look so delighted, but he was
Jaunty and careless, as usual. When they were
alone, she said to him, " hope you're not Of
Tended, Will"
What at'" he shouts, savagely. "Becuuso
you won't marry me? Lord bless you, ,''
Because / said so rather hastily" Susan
put in, as soft as she could ''You know, viii,
I'm not going to marry at ALL"
She fell to crying as she spoke. Will jumped
up from bis chair I must tell you that he
wasn't black-looking or ack-hearted fell
low, only strange and loose, uncertain and full
of his moods.
Susan" says he, otis bette you should
marry Robert Sigister than keep pumping salt
water all day long"
Marry him and ruin him ~ says she, pump
ing harder.
Will was fond of Susan, and he had Mr. Rob-
ert in his power. The sight of her tears gave
him sort of melting feeling, and the knowing
what they were shed for pricked him like
poison: Between the tive sensations, viii was
| wrought upon to say kind thing and mean a
black one. Or, perhaps, he meant nothing till
circumstances were too much for him >, How
ever, he said to her, Marry Mr.. Robert, Su-
| san"
Oh, no. She wouldn't. And then she would.
VIII you be at the wedding?" she asked.
"FI be at the wedding" says he.
The Sigisters were all married openly-walk-
ing from the hall to the church, and back again
| from the church to the hall. Children strewed
| flowers along the way, the bells pealed, there
was feasting and fun for everybody 1t was