The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-09-02

church, and, crossing the top of the hill,
takes by-path on the right, leading in
the direction, of Patcham, would, thirty
years ago, have traced the wind
ings of very pretty rural lane,
bordered on the one hand by beech
and chestnut trees, on the other by high
bank, beyond which cOrnficlds stretched
away in the direction of the Dyke downs.
Halfway down the lane the path, widen
ing for a few yards, left room for rude
seat, which was under the immediate shell
ter and protection of two large beech.
trees, so precisely similar in shape and
size, as to have impaired to the path i'm
question the title of Twin-Tree Lane. 1t
was, at the time of which we speak, a
prOachable alike from the high-rOad
through Patcham, and from that which
crosses the Old Church hill.
1t was few minutes only short of mid
night, on the eventful 9th of Nav, that a
lady, mufiled in a cloak and hood, stopped
her carriage at the entrance of PatchaIn,
and, desiring the driver to await her re-
turn, struck across the fields to the left.
The night was fair and still; with occa-
siOnal bursts of radiance, as the moon
to another.
Whenever this occurred the lonely wan
derer strained her eyes to the utmost, as if
in search of some receding object, but
seemingly in vain
At last she paused, and gave sudden
sniff.
"Thank Heaven y she exclaimed, clasp
ing her hands in real thankfulness "That
is his pipel l should know it among a
thousand. He must be close before me"
In effect she fancied she could discern
her husbands form not far ia advance, and,
shrinking closer into the shadow of the
hedge, she continued to fellow him. AT
the mouth of what was apparently a
wooded lane the guiding shape suddenly
disappeared! Mrs. HorSfall hurried for
ward, and, pausing To listen, thought she
could now hear both the step and voice of
her husband. He was passing up the lane,
evidently with one or more persons, but
with little thought of danger, for she heard
his frank laugh ring through the quiet air
"If they should have betrayed him into
some ambush !" thought the anxious wife.
He is so msuspecting"
The party ahead seemed to make q sud-
den halt. Instinctively, Mrs. Horsfall
shrank toward the border Of trees, and, in
doing so, almost came in contact with a
man who was stepping from them.
Fortunately, she did not cry out,
and the manner, Enthusiastically gen
tlemanly, in which the stranger
rendered his apologies, at once disarmed
her fears. He looked at her, however,
with a little astonishment, hesitated, then,
as if thought had struck him, said,-
L IL. Al.
we are here on a similar errand? NY
name is Lileham, Charles Lileham, a
minister of the church."
mime is Horsfall," said the lady, quick
ly. "I-I am in some anxiety about my
husband, who 10 just before us, in COM
pany with [ know not what dangerous and
desperate men. O, what shall we do 2"
For the inOffensive character of one, at
least, of his companions, am prepared to
answer" said the young clergyman, with
a smile. at is the Bishop of L., my
uncle"
"The bishopW
"Of his business here at this hour, I
am as completely ignorant as you ap-
parently are of Mr. Horsfalrs | fear |
am transgressng his wishes in following
him thus closely"
Harkl There are more voicesw ex-
claimed Mrs. Horsfall. "They seem
raised in anger"
"In amusement, rather, if | mistake
not" said Mr.. Lileham. But come: if
you will accept my guidance, you shall
see what is passing. They have assembled
under those two large trees. Will you
permit me to show you the way?"
Mrs. Horsfall assented. In less than ten
minutes they had reached the point in
dicated by Mr. Lileham. A bright stream
of moonlight was pouring right into the
recess canOpied by the twin trees, and
made the singular party therein assembled
distinctly visible. 1t was composed of five
individuals, seated on the curved bench,
engaged in earnest and animated dis
cussion. In the centre might be rec
ognized the reverend and stately form OF
the Bishop of L., Immediately on
whose right sat the Bradford Dump
ling, supported in his turn by Mr.
Newton Horsfall of Cow Priors,
Herts. On the left of the prelate might
be seen the familiar, mirth-awakening
lineamcnts of Mr.. L., the celebrated low
comedian, flanked by the commanding
presence Of Colonel Reginald.Spurrier, of
the --th Hussars.
The subject of their conversation was
manifestly of the deepest interest OF
what could they possibly be talking? And
why,-O, why this mystery? Mrs. Hors-
fall saw that her companion was rs puz-
Zled as herself ahd that his countenance
had become very serious indeed.
Suddenly they saw the Colonel start to
his feet. A horsc-tramp approached from
below, and his quick ear had been the first
to catch the sound
az fear we are suspected" he said aloud
Listen. thought so. They are upon us
from both sides"
And in truth, next moment, an armed
horse patrol rode in from either side, and
halted in the front of the party beneath
the trees.
pleasant night, gentleman" said the
first patrol. Curious tune, though, to be
sitin' here, amt -
Mr.. Horsfall conceded, in the name OF
himself aud friends, that it might seem a
curious time, but at the same time, in.
quired what business that was of the
officers
MY business is to obey orders, that's
all, replied the man. "And one of 'em
is to pcrwent any gatherings at night we
don't know the meaning OF. It's our duty
gentlemen, to demand your names and oc
kipations, preparatory to requesting you
to move on"
"The man is right" said the bishop. s1
could have wished it otherwise, but The
fault Is our own My friend, | am "a church
man. My name is s., Doctor s., BishoI
of H."
"Wery likely" was the repy. "And
this here gent" pointing to the Dump
ling), hes the Lord Mayor of London,
suppose"