The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1881-01-23

Apart from the consideration That you should
nave an escort over the Guadalupe bridge"
You know where live, then, 1t seems ~
certainly and your name also.
ana you stranger here
Absolutely.
There was such delicate little compli-
inent concealed IN this that she was hat
tered.
was saying" he continued, =" that
apart from that necessary consideration,
did not think 1t 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 II you, as reasonable,
sensible woman, whether or not appear to
do anything In violation OF mans proper
regard for things that should be handled
tenderly and eacredly. am separated fiom
every face and scene that has heretofore
made life pleasant am stranger in a
strange county, and 1T is with shame that
admit that the appearance make preoludes
my entry into society congenial to my tastes
am lonely and destitute, hungering for a
kindly look, and IL is only desperation on
that account that forces me to approach yor.
And then your face reminds me so striking'y
of my mothers that could not resist the
desire L. hear your voice also.
This fellow was 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 bear
ing OF polished, though unfortunate gem
tleman proud, hut with pride tinctured
with sorrow and loneliness calm, slow,
erect, and possessed OF that ability to look
steadily and undauntedly into the eyes OF
woman-that has more weight as expressing
power ami superiority than all other things
combined. The girl was touched with pity
and spurred by desire for adventure. She
had strong selfreliance.
I really don't know what TO do, she
said.
don't believe, replied the stranger,
that woman with as much strength and
character as ] see in yonr face would natur-
as would those of shallpwer feeling, +"
During this time they had advanced few
steps. The girl looked az the ground, con-
fused. The man at her side was evidently
gentleman. He was in distress. was reminded
by her of his mother, had no friends per
haps he was in want. Poor fellow But
what would her friends think of such an es-
capade Nevertheless. after hesitatinr
moment. she admitted that she had been
conquered, by saying.
"I'u Grant yonr request. sir. though I'm
afraid of doing wrong"
II is somewhat singular, at that particular
moment, it did not occur to her that the
street cars passed over the terrible Guadalupe
bridge. Furthermore. nobody was ever
known TO require an escort over il. 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 it was considered a dangerous
place. They were both terrible liars.
His name was Hardy: hers. Sophronia.
kind hearted old gentleman. who had a man.
sion OH the Alameda.
As the two passed the post office corner n
pair of bleared ewes winked quietly. and a
couple of wl,isky-testipg lips rrinned sardoui
cally, They belonged to Tarantula Joe.
As soon as the couple got under the shadow
of the wall of Notre Dame Hardy placed So
phronias arm within his own. She did not
object. He entertained her marvelously well.
His knowledge of the world was extensive,
and his education good. She began to think
he was an angel in disguise.
bill board. When the two passed this, and
We're well on the bridge, shadowy form,
scarcely preceptible in the darkness,
emerged from behind this board and crept
noiseessly after them
This snealing person carried n club in his
hand. Stepping rapidly behind Hardy, lie
raised his deadly weapon and brought it down
with heavy blow on the young man s head.
There was a dull, crashing thud, and Hardy
sank with groan. There was slight con-
vulsive contraction of the muscles, gurgle,
and all was quiet.
The girl heard the blow, and saw her de-
fender stretched at her feet. She was in
stantly rendered powerless andspeechless by
n ci.lyan Tar al ,.rf,
and brutal hand closed upon her throat, stop
ping her breath. Other shadows emerged
from the darkness, dozen strong hands
seized her, and before she had time to offer
resistance that would have been useless a
gag was thrust into her mouth, choking her.
so intently had the highwaymen been ell
gagged i'll rendering the girl helpless and rob
bling her OF her lewelry, that they did not
perceive Hardy stagger TO his feet. He was
dazed and uncertain. The blood poured
down his face and saturated his shirt. A
glance at the struggling form brought him
slowly to his senses.
6 Has she any money +? " demanded a gruff
voice.
i cant find any"
Take those rings off her fingers. God
how she struggles Inst that watch ?
Snail on to it. Pull out those earrings
quick
can't-dont know how they are fast
ened. "
Z" Tear 'em out, then-you and hurry
up !"
AT that moment when the robber grasped
the earring topull it rudely through the ten
der flesh, heavy club descended crashing
upon his shoulder. Hardy was awake. He
had seized the club, which had dropped upon
the bridge, and was welding it with merci
Lac, "A tI,,k ~ r
so precious charge could have inspired.
The robbers turned upon hm-fve in num-
Der.
Quick as a cat, and before they could re-
cover from the surprise of an attack by man
who, to all appearances, had been killed, he
telled another with heavy blow upon the
head. The remaining four rushed upon him
before he had time to raise the bludgeon
again, overpowered him, and bore him down.
II 4