The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-08-03

II have heavy hand" returned the
stranger In the same deep voice. &C. Do
you want to feel the weight of itp''
The man looked up, startled.
"I want my fare, y 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 respectable artisan, or some
thing 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 so
gruf and deep that II sounded unnat-
ural, and the idea occurred to Laurette
that 1t must be assumed.
The idea was not a pleasant one.
What could be the meaning of it2 She
noticed, also, that he kept looking at
her continually. She never lifted her
eyes without encountering his cleaning
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 thief or
murderer
1t was between seven and eight
O'Clock, and very dark. At that hour,
on such bitter night, the road they
were pursuing was practically as though
there were not a house within a mile
of 1t.
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 her
box and other property and leaving her
there TO perish in the cold? If 1t came
to blows she would struggle hard, she
was resolved ere she would submit to be
robbed of her valuables. But what if
he were to slip behind her and in some
sudden, treacherous manner deprive her
of all power of resistancep She shiver-
ed at the thought, and stepped out into
the centre of the road and when her
companion followed her example, and
placed himself again at her side, she
almost screamed aloud with terror.
He saw her start.
" Is there anything the matter ?" he
asked, and his manner was so kind that
Laurette began to be ashamed of her
fears.
Ten minutes more brought them to
the foot of the hill, and examining the
names on the gate-posts by the aid of a
few flaming fuses, they quickly found
themselves, to Laurette's great relief,
in the well-lit hall of the house they
sought
The man put down the box, and the
neat housemaid went to inform her
mistress of Miss Lyons arrival.
Il am much obliged to you,' said
Laurette, drawing out her purse. "How
much do owe you?" And looking at
her companion she noticed, for the first
time, and with dismay, that he looked
much more like gentleman than an
artisan.
You owe me kiss, madam" he
answered in a different and natural
tone.
"Sirl' she calculated, in utter sur
prise, though now his voice sounded
strangely familiar.
Have you forgotten the kiss you
promised me ten years ago tonight,
Laurette ?" and he tossed aside his hat
and stepped toward her.
Herbert Oh, Herbertl''
And Mrs. Mansfield, coming into the
hall moment later, stood still in mute
astonishment to behold Laurette-
fastidious Laurette--clasped close in the
arms of a tall, fine-looking man.
"Wel !" she exclaimed, at length.
At the sound of her voice Laurette
released herself, and turned an April
face, all tears and smiles, toward her
friend.
"You have heard me speak of Herbert
Lindsay He has come home at last
at last !" and she leaned her head on his
arm and sobbed outright. ~
Two hours later Herbert and Laurette
sat together in Mrs. Mansfield's cosy
little draWing-room. Miss Lyon, look