The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-12-21


please. Thank you."
Almost tenderly he wrapped the robes
around her, yet uttering no word. Their
gathering the reins, he gave the horse 6
blow, and away they went, at a pace
that soon left the city far out of sight
:" An extraordinary ride, surely thought
Grace, as they sped over the crisp snow
and there was wonder how it would
end. But she felt no fear no regret thai
she had placed herself in his hands.
For hours they rode, he doing all in
his power to entertain her, succeeding Sc
we'll that she almost forgot the singular
position in listening to his brilliant tai k
and varied experience. About dark,
they drew up ar farm house, where
Normandy ordered supper. While it
was preparing, he looked after the com
fort Of his horse, rubbing him down with
his own hand, and feeding him; for the
ride was not yet over.
I'VE have four hours yet TO ride" said
he to Grace. Shall We 60 on @
g [ truss you, Mr. Normandy. Let me
help you if cam
''Thank you, Miss Bienchford," he said
gratefully. "You shall not repenC it."
Out into the night they started again.
He procured additional robes at the
farm house, and wrapped his ompanion so
closely that she did not feel the biting
cold. He needed no covering, his blood
was at g fever heat, Gefying the cold
north wind more efectually than the
Warmest furs.
On they drove through the still, keen
air; past farm houses, over hills, across
rivers, dense woods and damp valleys,
and yet the end Of shat ride w0s not yet.
Gould it be that John Normandy was
playing false Did he know that officers
OF the law were searching for him far and
near That his name and description
had been flashed over the wires in all
directions? That his name was whisper
ed upon the streets as defaulter-a rob-
Der? That he was already charged with
the abduction of Jonas Blenchford's fair
daughter? He could not have seemed
more impatient to get over the ground.
ave are almost there" said he hating
the steaming horse, and pointing to a
light ahead. care you sorry that you
trusted me? 1t is not to late yet"
"YOur conduct is very strange, yet I
have no fear," replied Grace
"You are one among thousand" said
he, honestly.
He stepped out and taking the bells
from the horse, slowed them away in the
sleigh, then drove OH cautiously towards
the light
1T is our beacon" said he, cit tells me
I am in time"
He again stopped, when within few
hundred yards from the house. Securing
and wei! blanketing the horse, he helped
Grace to alight,and together they walked
towards the building
eve must be very cautious, else our
ride will be for naught."
He drew revolver from his breast and
placed it in his great pocket, where he
could reach it without waste of time.
81 have come prepared" he whispered,
feeling his companions arm tremble
within his own. do not fear. would
sooner lose my own life than that one hair
of yo1r head should be harmed"
They stopped IN the shadow just before
tho door.
"Now, Miss Blenchford, you will have
need of all your courage and fortitude,"
he whispered. "Within that house you
will see shat which will be agony to you,
but it will save the Blenchford name
from disgrace Follow me-"
Revolver in hand, he burst open the
door, and entered quickly, closely follow.
ed by Grace
With fierce cry of anger, the only oc.
cupant Of the room sprang up to meet
the intrudcrs but the moment the light
fell upon the faces, be sunk back with a
groan, and buried his face in his hands.
"Oh God Lost ! Lost -
Grace Blenchford recognized her only
brother, James F; and seeing his dis
tress, she sprang to his side to comfort
him
Don't touch me, Grace p he exclaimed
in horror. Normandy, take her away.
Do not let her come near me "Why.did
you bring her here Oh my sister Is it
possible ? Great God I shall 90 mad
l cannot endure it Why did you ever
bring her here %
''To save you" replied Normandy.
He had closed and bclted the door, but
still retained the revolver in his hand.
He moved nearer to the conscience stricken
nan.
flames Blenchford, calm yourself, said
he. "We have not come to harm but to
save you. The presence of your sister
will tell you that"
Young Blenchford raised his head with
a hopeful look.
God bless you, John Normandy /! You
know what have suffered, but l dared
not come back. And now you will keep
it from my dear father ~
II will, said Normandy, solemnly. No
one shall ever know it save ourselves"
"But Grace said James.
"She need know no more" said Nor
mandy. II brought her here that the
sight of her might give you courage to