The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-11-26
MIDDLEBURY, VT. NOVEMBER ge. $780,

NWtCt DtlOlt eut TtItCLtu Ills ADVANCES
summarily.
"That is true, sir" she said, i" I have
no doubt. But that is no reason that
shouldn't put an end TO this interview
by saying, once for all. decline your
escort"
Her tongue uttered these words. Her
eyes said dare you TO try me little
further" He heard the words, but saw
the look. She felt the superiority of this
mans will. She turned to leave, scorn-
fully. He promptly stepped to her side.
Of course she was greatly angered at this
persistent impertinence, and. turning
upon him with flashing eyes, she said /:
thought / had said enough, sir. to
place me in false position. Your i'm
pertinence is extremely distasteful to
nae. Please leave me-"
So said her tongue Her eyes said /:
"You haven't got the nerve to 90 sny
further" He said (as by this time they
were walking slowly along):
You misconstrue me entirely. Let
me explain my motives. that you may
understand my apparent rudeness.
am stranger; ] have no friends here.
l have been unfortunate There was
such a kind, womanly, sympathetic ex-
| preston in your face-please don't turn
away. Thank you. Apart from the
consideration that you should have an
escc rt over the Guadalupe bridge"
You know where live, then, it
seemsp"
Certainly; and your name Also"
And you are a stranger herep"
Absolutely"
| There was such delicate little COM
pliment conc noealed in this that she was
fattered.
! was saying" he continued, "that,
apart from that necessary consideration,
l did not think it would be wrong, or
that was lacking in respect, to speak
to you, to be few moments with you,
and then leave you forever. put it to
you, as a reasonable, sensible woman,
whether or not appear to do anything
in violation of mans proper regard for
things that should be handled tenNerly
and sacredly. 1 am separated from
every face and scene that has heretofore
made life pleasant. l am a stranger in
a strange country and it is with shame
admit that the appearance make pre-
cludes my entry into society congenial
to my tastes. / am lonely and desolate,
hungering for a kindly look, and it is
only desperation on that account that
forces me to approach you. And then,
your face reminds me so strikingly OF
my mothers that could not resist the
desire to hear your voice Also"
The fellow was a born diplomat. The
girl was about eighteen or twenty years
of age. Of course she was handsome,
and had sweet face. The young man
had the bearing of polished, though
unfortunate, gentleman; proud, but with
pride tinctured with sorrow and lone
liness; calm, slow, erect and possessed
nf that ohtl,tx Il, lnnlr cta I.1x, 4
dauntedly into the eyes OF q woman
that has more weight as expressing
power and superiority than all other
things combined. The girl was touched
with pity and spurred by desire for an
adventure.
81 really don't know what to do" she
said.
81 don't believe" replied the strange
"that a woman with as much strength
and character as see in your face would
naturally lay much stress on conven-
tionalities as would those of shallower
feeling"
During this time they had advanced a
few steps. The girl looked at the ground,
confused. The man at her side was evil
IDENTIFY gentleman. He was in distress.
was reminded by her OF his mother. had
no friends perhaps was in want. Poor
fellow! But what would her friends
think Of such an escapadep Neverthe-
less, after hesitating a moment, she ad-
mitted that she had been conquered, by
saying:
"l'Il grant your strange request, sir,
though I'm afraid I'm doing wrong"
1t is somewhat singular that, at that
particular moment, it did not occur to
me that the street cars passed over the
terrible Guadalupe bridge. Further
more, nobody was ever known to require
an escort over it. After introducing
themselves, she commenced to tell him
about her fear in crossing the bridge
alone at night; and he said yes, he had
heard that 1t was considered a dangerous
place. They were both terrible liars.
His name was Hardy; hers, So
phronia. Her fathers name was Morris.
He was rich, kind hearted gentleman,
who had mansion on the Alameda.
AS the two passed the postofiice cor
uer. a pair OF bleared eyes winked quietly,
the knife, and the robbers sprang away
to escape the cruel steel.
But soon strong blow with the
clenched hand upon his arm caused his
weapon to drop from his grasp. The
two men closed. and determined strug-
gle ensued for the possession of the
knife. The others darted to seize it,
when a kick in the face from Hardy's
boot stretched one of them full length
upon the bridge.
The contest on both sides was desper-
ate. 1t was no longer robbery, but MUIR
der. The girl attempted to render her
brave companion some assistance, but
she was brutally thrust against the rail-
ing.
BY dexterous kick Hardy succeeded
in sending the knife flying off the bridge,
and Immediately thereafter, having
pushed his assailant against the outer
railing, suddenly picked him up and
thrust him headlong into the mud be-
meath. 1t was a fall VI hfteen or twenty
feet.
The remaining robbers, evidently dis
couraged at the determination and inn
mense strength of Hardy, and disguised
with an enterprise that had already cost
them so dear, were easily put to flight
by knife that Hardy whipped from his
pocket.
He was master OF the field. A dead
body remained.
He quickly removed the gag from the
mouth of the almost fainting girl. He
restored TO her what jewell y the robbers
had dropped. The blood covered his
face.
"You are seriously hurt" she said, as
soon as she could recover her speech.
1T is nothing" he replied, wiping the
blood from his face.
Nevertheless, he walked unsteadily
as they proceeded, and at length was
compelled to stagger against a fence,
and lean upon it for support. Every
noble and generous feeling in the girls
heart was aroused. There was no longer
any ceremony between them. She put
her hand caressingly on his face. Then
she took it away and looked at it by the
light of distant lamp. 1t was stained
with blood. Soon lie regained his
strength and they continued on their
way. They stopped before the gate.
"Come in." she said; "this shall be
your home until you are we'll" And
she added somewhat embarrassed, You
are hero"
Thank you. l must 20. Good
night"
"You must come in. / shall never
forgive you If you don't. l may never
see you again"
"Perhsns moi. - he said bitterly