Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-10

boughs and bushes. He could see With-
out being himself seen. He was quite
uneasy in his mind, for when his red
haired messenger returned, he felt con-
victed that the boy had made great
mistake, and that Meg Harraden-he
knew her well-was in possession of
his secret. It was with no small anxi-
ETY., then, that he watched,and listened.
His only weapon of defense was his
good yew-bow and few arrows. The
former he bent, examined the string,
and saw that his arrows were pointed
and notched. .f, s.,of--..r Is.
The sun was just setting when Bon
ME Anuie entered, the Hazel Glen.
She knew her way well, and would have
found it in the darkest hour of the
night. A she hurried along, rapt in
anxiety and misgivings, she was sud-
denly startled by two horsemen, who
issued from a thicket and blocked the
bridle-path. One, whom she immedi-
ately recognized, was Odenel Humfra-
vile. the other was his man Robin, who
led saddle-horse. -re afiof s.. q
"Good en-, AnDie!" said Odenel, adj
dressing the frightened girl. "Whither
away, sweet mistress? But / need not
put the question. Just the hour to
meet leman who dare not show his
face in open day." H
"Allow me to pass, SIR" returned
Annie, with as much dignity and
bravery sshe could command. "It ill
becomes a gentleman to stop o poor I'M
protected damsel on her way to visit a
sick parent" ~ ~ ~ ~ s
''I'll shorten your way, sweetheart,
and save your pretty kirtle from the
brambles. Here, Robin, dismount and
assist this pretty lady into the empty
saddle.
Robin dismounted to obey his mas
ter's orders,
"You dare, base mental, to touch
mep exclaimed Annie, her eyes fash
ing with indignation.
''Ha, ha. hap' laug hd Robin; 'sshe
speaks like yarls daughter, and cas-
me mental. Come, Bonnie Annie,
and take kindley to the palfrey, tor a
lang gate yell ha'ed to ride the nichtr"
"Off, villain-off, or dearly shall you
and your cowardly master rue this adj
venture. o, that Allan of Alnwick were
here!' she misunderstanding unwit-
tingly, the dearest secret of her bosom
-''and you would not dare to treat me
thus"
''Darel I would dare devil and all
for one kiss of Bonnie Annie, and that
tonight shall be mine." spake Odenel,
laughing. "But quick, Robin--quick
mani This said ALLAH may mar oul
sport yetP' 1902
Robin seized the unfortunate girl by
the waist, and, Notwithstanding her
struggles and screams, mingled in ago.
Allan" succeeded in lifting her into the
saddle.
"And now, my little lady-my pretty
sweetheart favor before we set
out. Nor he exclaimed, as when draw
ing up the terrified and screaming girl,
who held forth her hands to resist his
attempts to salute her ips-"Then
We must silence that sweet warbling
tongue"
Drawing from his vest a fine silken
bandage, he gave directions to Robin
to fasten it across her mouth, while he
himself steadied her in the saddle.
''And now, sweetheart, hold well by
the bride, for sorry should be to have
that fair neck of thine broken. Ride
on, Robin; / come last, and sweetheart
shall ride between. Oh, to my hunting
lodgeP'
There was one nearer to hand for the
rescue of Bonnie Annie than she wot
of. Alnwick heard the screams of the
maiden; he heard his own name called
upon by her, in her distress. There
was still sufficient light to discern OBJ
jects. Twang went bow-string drawn
by skillful hand, and the man Robin
dropped from his saddle.
Odenel dismounted, and withdrew
the arrow from the breast of his SER
want, and examining il, exclaimed:
"Hell and Satani this shaft comes
from the bow of Allan the outlaw; I
know it by its plumage."
Scarcely had he made this discovery
before he was confronted by the owner
of the arrow. Meanwhile, Annie had
swooned, and would have fallen heav
lily to the ground, had not the fall been
adroitly broken by the red-haired lad,
who presented himself as suddenly on
the scene as his master.
The two young men stood confront
ing each other for some time in silence.
They were CT equal height, and match
ed strength.
"Oulawed dogl you brave mel"
growled the discomftted Odenel.
"Not for the first time" replied
Allan. 81 believe have given you a
scratch or two in my time"
"And now ] shall return the compli-
ment on your braggart head"
Allan leaped nimbly aside from a
sword-blow which would have cleft him
to the chin-the red haired lad at the
same time putting into his hand the
sword of the fallen Robin.
They fought in the dying twilight
One or both must be slain.
"Guard you, base hbertine -
"Guard you, base-boln yarlet u
They crossed swords; the sparks of
steel flew thick, and they fought with
skill, but both were heated and despe-
rate. At one moment Allan was sore
pressed, and in backing, he stumbled
over the senseless and PROSTATE form
of Annie.
s'God in Heaven 70 exclaimed the red
haired lad, interposing his masters
bow against stroke from Odenel
which must have slain both lovers.
AS it was. the bow was cut in two,
and the point of the blade slightly
grazed the fair arm of Bonnie Annie
Allan was on his feet in an instant.
and in another his sword had entered
the heart Of Odenel.
Soon as Annie had recovered, and
was refreshed by water from rill that