The Evansville journal., 1869-09-11

driver to await her return, struck
across the fields to the left. The
night was fair and still, with OCCASION
| al bursts of radiance, as the moon
struggled from one blue black cloud
! bank to another.
whenever this occurred, the lonely
wanderer strained her eyes to the ut
most. as if in search Of some receding
object, but seemingly in vain.
At last she paused, and gave sud
den sniff.
Thank Heaven!" she exclaimed,
clasping her hands in real thankful
ness. That is his pipe! | should
know it among u thousand He must
be close before me"
In effect, she fanced she could dis
cern her husbands form not far In
advance, and, shrinking closer into
the shadow of the hedge, she con
tinued to follow him. At the mouth
Of what was apparently a wooded
lane the guiding shape suddenly disap-
pCaredl Mrs. Horsfall hurried for
ward, and pausiug to listen. thought
she could now hear both the step and
voice Of her husband. He was pass
ing up the line, evidently with one or
more persons. but with little thought
of danger, for she heard his frank
laugh ring through the quiet air.
Ii they should have betrayed him
into some ambush" !" thought the anx-
ious wife. He is so unsuspecting! !"
The party ahead seemed to make
sudden halt InstinctiYely Mrs. Hors-
fall shrank toward the border of trees,
and, 10 doing 80, almost came IN con
tact with a man who was stepping
from them. fortunately. she did not
cry out, and the manner, unmistaka
bly, gentlemanly, in which the straug-
er rendered his apologies, at on3e dis
armed her fears. He looked at her,
however, with a little toaishment,
he5itated. then, as if a thought had
struck him, said
Is it possible-pray forgive me-
that we are here on a similar errand?
My name is Lileham, Charles Lille
ham, a minister Of the church"
Mine Is Horsiall, said the lady,
quickly. II am in some anxiety
about my husband, wAo is just before
US, in company with know not what
dangerous and desperate men. D,
what shall we do7"
For the inoffensive character of
one, at least, of his companions, / am
prepared to answer" said the young
clergyman, with a smile. =" It is the
BlshaoEp of L., my uncle"
" The bishopl"
"Of his business here at this hour,
| am as completely ignorant as you
fear am transgressing his wishes in
following him thus closely"
Hark there are more voices ex-
claimed Mrs. Horsfall. They seem
raised in anger"
In amusement rather, ifI mis-
take not, said Mr.. Lileham. But
come; if you accept my guidance, you
shall see what is passing. They have
assembled under those two large
trees. Will you permit ne to show
you the way?"
Mrs. Horsfall assented. In less than
ten minutes they had reached the
point indicated By Mr.. Lileham. A
bright stream Of moonlight was pour
Ing right into the recess canOpied by
the twin trees, and made the singular
party therein assent bled distinctly
visible. It was composed of FIVE
individuals, seated on the curved
bench. Engaged in earnest and
animated discussion. In the cen
ter might be recognized the
reverend and stately form OF the
Bishop OF l. Immediately on whose
right sat the Bradford Dumping,
supported In his turn by Mr.. Newton
Horsfall. of Cowling Priors, Herts.
On the left OF the prelate might be
seenthe familiar. mirth awakening lin
eaments Of Mr. L., the celebrated low
comedian, hanked by the command
ing presence Of Colonel Reginald
Spurrier, of the -th Hussars. The
subject of their conversation was man
ifestly Of the deepest interest. OF
what could they possibly be talking?
Aud why-O, why this mystery2
Mrs. Horsfall saw that her companion
was as puzzled as herself, and that
his eountenance mad become very
ser Gus indeed.
Suddenly they saw the Colonel
start to his feet. a horse-tramp ap-
preached from below, aud his quick
ear bad been tho frat to catch the
sound.
Il fear We arc suspected" ne 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 fro1t of the party
beneath the trees.
Pleasant night, gentlemen" said
the first pltrol Curious time,
though, to be sittin here, amt it?"
Mr. 1orsfall conceded, In the
name of himself and friends, that it
might seem a curious time, but at
the same time, inquired what busi-
ness that was of the officers?
My business is to obey orders, that
is all, replied the men. And one of
en- is to prevent any gatherings at
night we don't know the meaning of.
It's our duty, gentlemen, to demand
your names and oekipations, prepara-
tory TO requesting you to move on"
THE man is right, said the bishop.
Il could have wished it otherwise,
but the fault is our own. My friend,
| am = chuFchman. My name Is s.,
Doctor s., Bishop Of L."
Very likely" was the reply. And
this here gent" pointing to the
Dumping he's the Lord Mayor
of London, supposeP
Come my man, you are mistaken.
said Colonel Spurrier, striding out
into the full moonlight. IF you are
unaequainted with the face of the
reverend gentleman, perhaps you
know mine?"
He took off his hat.
Colonel Spurrierl" cried the men.
saIuting.
This is Mr.. Horsfall, magistrate
of Hertfordshire," resumed the Colo
mel. MY other tive friends are
known to you"
II beg your pardon, gentlemen,
said the patrol. There was notice
given you see, of hillegal meeting
to night, near Brighton, and seeing
parties pinting this way, we thought
we was down upon 'em. Whatever
] rnn rns a aninr hernls best knnHn to