Connecticut western news., 1879-12-10

"Well, please yourself only you must get out of my cab,' was the rough answer.
 "I shall do nothing of the kind." said Miss Lyon, decisively. "You will drive me back to Redland; there may be able to get another cab-or at any rate a man to carry my box.''
 "And supposing I don't, miss, what then p with an ugly leer.
 "Then you won't be paid," was the prompt answer. And Laurette looked the rude driver steadily in the face, sl- though in her heart she was getting afraid of him, and very heartily wished herself safe in her friends house.
 The man grumbled good deal, but finally climbed back to his seat and turned his horsess head toward Red1and. He had not gone very far, however, be- fore he again pulled up, and Miss Lyon heard him accost some one on the road. A mans voice answered, and Laurette, hastily letting down the window, heard the driver rejoin:
 "There's young woman inside as wants hescort down to Stoke. P'r'aps you'll oblige 'er?' The insolence of the mans tone was more than Laurette could brook. She sprang out of the cab and addressed herself to 8 tall man, with his coat collar turned up and his hat pressed down over his eyes, who stood on the path.
 "I want some one to carry my box to MT. Mansfield's, at Stoke," she said, in a clear tone. eff you can do so I shall be glad to pay you what you think proper. This cabman can't or won't drive me there."
 Her veil was thrown back and the light of neighboring lamp showed to the stranger pale, fnely-cut face and a pair of flashing gray eyes. She was too Hurried and angry to notice his ap- pearance.
 Without word he turned to the driver.. "Give me the trunk" he said, in deep, gruff voice.
 "Trunk, indeed" retur ned the other with sheer |" 'tis but light bit of a box"
 "I have heavy hand," returned the stranger in the same deep voice. "Do you want to feel the weight of it?"
 The man looked up, startled.
 "I want my fare" he said, in more civil tone.
 Laurette paid him and then, with her new companion, turned her face towards Stoke.
 They walked on in silence. The lady was greatly relieved to escape from the insolent cabman, and felt grateful to the stranger for his opportune arrival and readiness to oblige her; and, taking him to be Q respectable artisan, or something of that kind, began presently to talk to him. He, however, did not appear to be disposed to converse, and replied so briefly to her remarks that the conversation soon ceased altogether and when he did speak his voice was SC gruff and deep that it sounded un' natural, and the idea occurred to Laurette that it must be assumed.
 The idea was not a pleasant one. What could be the meaning of it? She noticed, also, that he kept looking at her continually. She never lifted her eyes without encountering his gleaming at her from under the shadow of his hat. Brave though she was, she grew nervous and Uncomfortable. She knew absolutely nothing of this man, and his manner was suspicious. Had she only been freed from an impudent driver to fall into the hands of a thief or murderer
 Itwas between seven and eight o'clock and very dark. At that hour, on suct a bitter night, the road they were pur suing was practically as though there were not house within mile of it.
 What was there to hinder this fellow from knocking her down with one blow of his strong arm, robbing her at his leisure and then walking off with hel box and other property and leaving he1 there to perish in the cold? If it came to blows she would struggle hard, she was resolved ere she would submit to bt robbed of her valuables. But what i he were to slip behind her and in som. sudden, treacherous manner deprive hel of all power of resistance? She shi7er ed at the thought, and stepped out into the center of the road and when he companion followed her example, ant placed himself again at her side, she al most screamed aloud with terror.
 He saw her start.
 els there anything the matter ?" h. asked, and his manner was so kind tha Laurette began to be ashamed of hel fears.
 Ten minutes more brought them t, the foot of the hill, and examining tn. names on the gate-posts by the aid of few flaming fuses, they quickly fount themselves, to Laurette's great relief in the well-lit hall of the house they sought.
 The man put down the box, and tn, neat housemaid went to inform he mistress of Miss Lyons arrival.
 "I am much obliged to you," ssit Laurette, drawing out her purse. "Hoy much do I owe you2" And looking a her companion she noticed, for the frs time, and with dismay, that he looked much more like gentleman than al artisan.
 "You owe me kiss, madam" h. answered in different and natural tone
 "Sir P she ejaoulated, inutter sur prise, though now his voice sounded strangely familiar