Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1869-12-17
member that I promised her such a
ride as she never had before.


on his great coat; a gentleman step
ped to his side and spoke to him in
in very low tone. Normandy's
face blached winter the than snow,
but he recovered instantly.
"Thank you, Ganson, for this
proof of your friendship, but have
known it for some hours. Please
let it rest where it is, if you can,
and I will make it all right in the
morning. There is some mistake. ="
With buoyancy Of manner that
surprised Grace after what she had
seen, he conducted her to the sleigh,
and with a gallantry little expected
from one so practical, he handed
her in, arranging the robes about
her more skillfully than even her
old father could have done. Then
he took seat by her side, and of
they went.
Through the crowded streets,
through the less crowded suburbs,
out in the quiet country, Normandy
all the the while chatting metrily, q
startling contrast to his real feelings
But when once they were out of the
great city, his manner changed en-
tirely. Turning his dark, search
ing eyes full upon his companion's
face, he asked earnestly, almost be.
soechingly, ''Miss Blenchford, car
you trust me %
Surprised and somewhat annoy.
ed, she hardly knew how to answer
But she saw that he was earnest
and in the brief time, she thought o1
all her acquaintances, and not one
Of them would she trust sooner.
''Why do you ask, Mr.. Norman.
dy ?"
If I should tell you," said he
"that those whom you hold mos
dear, yourself included, were il
in great peril, and peril that you
never could guess, and that 1 hat
the power to save you all, would
you believe me? Would you trust
me? Would you be guided by me
for brief time p
Startled by his manner, and con
vinced by his manner, and convinc-
ed by his earnestness, she replied as
earnestly:
eyes, Mr.. Normandy;I can ano
do trust you. But why do you
ask p
'Do not ask me. 1t will be
enough to tell you that you an6
your father and brother are truly ii
great danger, and if you will place
implicit confidence in me can save
you. Drop your veil if you please
THANK you.''
! Almost tenderly he wrapped the
robes around her, yet uttering nc
word. Then gathering the reins, he
gave the horse a light blow, and
away they went, at pace that soor
left the city far ont Of sight. car
extraordinary ride, surely" thought
Grace, as they sped over the crisr
snow; and there was wonder how
it would end. But she felt no fear
no regret, that she had placed 'hel
self in his hands.
| For hours they rode, he doing al
in his power to entertain her, sue
ceeding so well that she almost for
got the singular position in listen
ing to his brilliant talk and varied
experience. About dark, they drew
up at farmhouse, where Normandy
ordered supper. While it was pre-
pairing, he looked after the comfort
of his horse, rubbing him dowr
with his own hand, and feeding
him for that ride was not yet over
1--WE have four hours yet to ride
said he to Grace. ''Shall we gc
on?''
81 trust you, Mr.. Normandy. Lei
me help you if can."
''Thank you, Miss Blenchford,' .
he said gratefully. "You shall moi
repent it.
Out into the night they started
again.
He procured additional robes al
the farm m-house, and wrapped bis
companion so closely that she did
not feel the biting cold. He need.
ed no covering; his blood was at q
fever heat. defying the cold north
wind more efectually than the warm
est furs.
On they drove through the still
keen air; past farmhouses, over
hills, across rivers, through dense
woods and damp valleys, and yet
the end of that ride was not yet.
Could it be that John Normandy
was playing false? Did he know
that the officers of the law were
searching for him far or near That
his name and description had been
flashed over the wires in all direc
tions
That his name was whispered up
on the street as defaulter-a rob.
ber2 That he was already charged
with the abduction of Jonas Blench
ford's fair daughter He could not
have driven faster had he known all
of these, nor have seemed more i'm
patient to get over the ground. 1t
looked very dark, yet Grace Blench
ford trusted him.
''We are almost there" said he,
halting the steaming horse, and
pointing to a light ahead. care
you sorry that you trusted me7 1t
is not too late yet
"Your conduct is very strange,
yet have no fear" replied Grace.
"You are one among a thousand,'
said he, honestly.
He stepped out and taking the
bells from the horse, slowed them
away in the sleigh. Then he drove
on cautiously toward the light.
''It is our beacon" said he, "I1