The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-03-13
COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE FRIDAY MARCH 49, 1874.

fully. ''But what's up? Got case fc
me? Business is rather dull, just now
be glad to serve you"
"I want You to help me play higl
wayman."
What 70
Ned sprang to his feet in startle
surprise.
"There, keep cool don't get excited
as in that case you can be of no. use t
me. I said play highwayman, and
want to start out in half an hour. s
be quiet, while I detail facts, and ez
plain why such course might be ez
cusable."
$50 on am all attention"
Five years ago, a fellow led a girl
mere child, into the folly of CORES
ponding with him and all the year
since he has kepk o@ letters. Now b,
is in our little 1re sage, keeping her Il
mortal terror lest he gives those letter.
publicity threatens to do so unless sh,
gives him her hand in marriage. Sht
now believes her only escape from
trouble is an immediate and secret re
moval from this place. only learned
this much, last night, from O friend
who believes that I could and would
help the lady in this dilemma"
"I'll help you," said Ned.
"Thanks. But it must be done Sc.
cretly and quietly. This is the thing
propose. When Warren Clifton rides
to - station, this morning, whittier ]
have learned he is going to meet the 1C
o'clock train for the city, we will be on
the road to relieve him of that valuable
bundle of papers, which he carries now
on all occasions"
"Hurrah, Tom! Just the thing.
Provided you permit disguises, I'll give
him a regular scare.
81 will give up that part to you ar
range it as you will. But will reveal
myself to him before we par, with a
little wholesome advice thrown in to
make the medicine go down it will no
doubt be bitter pill"
"Come with me to my rooms, said
Ned Bowers, springing to his feet.
"We will find everything we need
there"
"One minute: I will order my
horses to be saddled and brought to the
door," -....
And the friends were soon seen hur-
ing up the street.
The pretty little clock in Sybil
Bonds room was just striking eleven,
when she awoke, with start, to hear a
loud, clear ring at her door-bell.
$50 late !" said she, looking up at
the clock. els it possible could sleep
so long? But then did not fall asleep
until it was getting light. Come in,
Mamma Elsie. have shamefully over
slept myself this morning"
81 am glad, dearie. It was good for
you to Sleep" said the old lady, enter
ing. "But hurry now, let me help you
dress there is a visitor below, whom
you must see before you breakfast.
"Pray who has called at this early
hour ?"
I" DIR. Reed and he bade me say that
urgent business must be his excuse"
90 Elsie I cannot go to him this
u morning. / do not want him to sus-
pect am going away this aft, rnoon."
" It can do no harm to see him few
minutes YOU. need not tell all your Sc
crets in that time"
"We]l, get my wrapper. l believe
I am ready for it"
She finished coiling the heavy braids
around her shapely head, and taking
the snowy wrapper from Elsie's hand.
hurriedly finished her plain toilet, and
went below.
The parlor door stood open, and a
manly figure was pacing the floor as
Sybil descended the stairs and crossed
the hall.
Good morning, doctor I fear I
have kept you waiting"
Not very long, my. darling and
he eagerly advanced to Ler side, and,
taking both hands in his, gazed with
anxious love into her upraisel / face.
"I fear you are not we'll this morning,
my pet perhaps my call is oppnrtune;
you are looking pale"
"Give yourself no uneasiness I am
very WE'LL" she answered, as he led her
to seat.
"Sybil, my love, will come to the
point at once. Ny business with you
this morning is to relieve you of GER
tain embarrassment which have lately
learned you have been under for long
time. There, darling, is the cause of
all your trouble" He drew from his
pocket bundle of old letters, yellow
with age, and laid them in her lap.
go, Tom how came these in your
possession? Have you read them?"
And with burning bushes she lifted
her head to examine them closely.
"No, Sybil, to the last question. [
cannot say that came by these letters
in an honest way. I learned of their
existence, and the annoyance they were
giving you, short time ago, and de-
termined to possess them, that might
give them to you. With this intention,
Ned Bowers and myself played high |
waymen this morning, and when the |
Clifton rode to -- sta
tion to go away, we called on him to
deliver over his valuables to us, which |
he made haste to do, in the shape OF his |
purse and watch. When | bade him |
show the bulky object which he carried
in his side pocket, he tried to evade me,
but of course l would not be put of. |
As he gave into my hands that precious |
bundle, we pulled off our disguises
and returned his property. You should
have seen his face when he recognized
us it was perfect picture OF batfied
rage and hate"
Sybil shuddered.
go, Tom how can thank you?
"By giving me ISIS before you go,
which must do at one. l have ride
of some miles to accomplish before
noon"
"But, Tom-Dr. Reed-you do not
know ?"-she stammered, and blushed
painfully.
ST do not wish to know anything
about it. 1 know you are my own dar-
lug, soon to be my wife, and that you
have already been too severely pun
shed by your own conscience, and by
the base conduct of that fellow Cliff.
bon."
''And you forgivo:me for foncying my
self in love You said that you could
never be any ones second -"
"My sweet girl, I understand how to
draw distinctions" he replied with
kindly smile.
"But do you not wish to read these
letters before you accord me full con-
fdence ?" And her pale face famed
up.
"No, darling" said he gravely. GA
of their contents would not
add to my peace, so let us drop the SUBJ
iect forever. Believe me, have no de-
sire to read them. If you wish to re-
ward me for the slight service have