Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-06-08

tered me. Now | ielt might go and
warn her father of his danger; and by sc
doing perhaps not only do service to
the woman | loved. but perhaps be re-
warded by exchanging a few words with
her; by hearing her thanks: by-but
dare not dream OF such happiness as
dancing with her.
So purchased ticket, and when the
momenLous time arrived went to the
ball with n beating heart, and terrible
sensation of choking in my throat.
took my station near the entrance until
Mr.. Darke arrived. Before long his
carriage drove up, and he and Mary
alighled As he turned to tell the coach
man at what hour to fetch him, ! saw n
man push forward in the crowd. rs il to
hear what time he named and then dis
appear. 1t was the man who ha ! claim
ed the letter addressed j. NJ.
This gave fresh strength to my reso!u-
ton which was ne eded, for | had
begun TO think was dreaming, or had
been mistaken, or exaggerated the case.
Such feeling WAS not unnatural under
the circumstances but the sight OF n
poacher-lol had no doubt he was one.
and that was why he wished 10 revenge
himself on Mr.. Darke-had the effect OF
reviving all my previous convictions.
1t was not without some nervousness
that asked Mr.. Darke 10 step into one
OF the windows, and give me few min
utes' conversation. lie looked n little
surprised, but stilly consented; aud
when we had found a retired seat in one
of the bow windows, told him about
the letter, and my conf ecIuIc that the
stable help had either entered his
service to aid the poacheIs in their
scheme OF revenge, OF had been bribed
by them to give them information. Al
irst he proposed to take q couple of po'
lccman in the carriage. and Try 10 cap
ture the Iuflians; but | pointed ont that
he would alarm his daughter-pei haps
expose her TO danger, supposing the
poachers had fire aims.
"Quilc tight. Thankyou had forgot
ten that, and more-lhat il she once
fancieS an in danger, She will be
frightened to death whenever am away
from home. What do you propose ?'
Can you return home by any other
route?'
Yes. by two others, involving cir
cult OF a couple ol miles OIL So"
Then go BY one OF those. Miss
Darkc will be too tired to observe it;
besides. ii will not be light enough"
But should like to catch the scoun'
drels"
Il can identify them both, aud will go
to the railway and make inquiries aud
look about me TO morrow. You can have
them taken into custody; and probably
after a day or two in the lock. up, they
will make clean breast of it. and give
up the names of the others"
Yes, perhaps best so" said Mr.. Darke
after some minutes reflection. But how
can thank you for this ~
declined any special thanks, alleging
| was only doing my duty, but the
squire was very warm and pressing in
his gratitude, inquired what | was,
where | came from. and how | was en-
ployed. On learning that had no friends
or relatives in town, he insisted on my
coming TO dine with him on Christmas
day.
And hope we shall bo able to drink
confusion 10 these rascals,' he said in
conclusion.
suppose he was in particularly good
temper this evening; for he introduced
me to his daughter rs q friend OF his who
had rendered him most important SER
vice. lie little suspected that she knew
who was, and was terribly puzzled TO
think how a post. Office clerk could have
laid her father under such an obligation.
mustered courage to ask her TO dance
with me, and she consented. But why
try to describe the unexpected happiness
of the evening? can only say, when |
handed her into the carriage and watched
it drive OF, | walked home as il | had
come into q new life and brighter
world.
Though | did not get home till between
two aud three. was at the office again
5y six TO receive the mails from the dis
trict. was tired; but determined that
no one-especially Chaundy-should be
able to accuse me of neglecliug work.
One Of the earliest carts to arrive was
that of the Fentleby district. The driver
came in looking like ghost, and said
that he had been waylaid and that an
attempt had been made to rob him. and
stammered out that he had been fired at.
Chaundy not being in the office, ex-
amined The man, and took down his an
swers in writing. On inquiry l found
that his route had brought him past Grass
lands. Mr.. Darke's house. and that he had
been fired at between there and Cowiord
at a very ugly part of the road. where it
ran beside canal, OH an embankment.
rhe more l questioned him, the more
- ~ n. .,.,,o..ol H. kol