Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-03-11

N@NN itti- NV o"tNi.
Leaving the greasy lamp burnin;
which had been left upon the window
! ledge, he threw himself on the be
without undressing. For a time h
felt no inclination to sleep; but tn
fatigue to the days journey brough
Idrowsiness at last, and he fell into
slumber from which he was awakened
by sound of suppressed shrieks.
AT first he fancied it was a dream
bat his next thought--and it cam
like flash-was of the yound lad =
! Nor were his fears aba;ed by the SCUM,
OF low, muttered voices, III the direc
ton of her chamber.
He sprans from the bed and caugh
up the lamp, which gave its last flicke
as he did so. Placing it aside, ht
hurried quickly. but noiselessly, dowr
the iadder which led to the floor be
low. A few hasty steps brought hin
to Claras door, which stood PARTIAL,
aJar.-Through the opening sigh
met him which first chilled, then free
his blood. Clara Winthrop stood il
her nirht-dress between the two i'll
looking passengers, each Of whom
grasped an arm.
"Comr, Miss. We must have ysul
money and jewels" said one of them
"you squeak again. this here's what i
settle you, pointing apistol at her
herd.
| With single bound, our gentleman
was in striking distance, aud with
two heavy blows, dealt with a arapidity
and skill that did ample credit 10 his
boxing master. he stretched the two
ruilians sprawlIng on the floor. Then
snatchIng mp the pistol which one OF
them bad dropped, he threatened &c
shoot the first that moved.
Clara stood pale aud trimbling, but
dad not faint. Woman seldom do till
all danger is over. aud the situation
Was stl critical. If the driver. the
boat and bis sons, as seemed likely
enough, were in legu. with the rob,
hers, the latter would soon be reinforc-
ed. and resistance be hopeless.
IL Was but momens, indeed, till
the four other male inmates of the
souse, with the driver at the head
Eturst into the room.
D, Hello" shouted the latter, what 5
lhem two been up to- pointing to the
lcoscrIns pair on the floor, who had
not dared 10 budge for fear Of the pis-
iol
There was an honest ring in the
man voice, which at once dIspelletl
suspicion. True, he had played of .
little trick for the benefit Of his
friends house. but bcyond that had
intended nothing wrong.
4 word explained all, and with
the help OF the new corners, the viii
.l.ias were speedily secured.
1al.sssv aud f~T new zss,naiuteFer
parted ia the morning at the next
stopping place. She would have liked
to ask the gentleman his name, but
somehow felt 4 delicacy in doing so,
as be had neither asked hers, nor
seemed inclined 10 disclose his own
To her earnest thanks he only an
swered:
ANY gentleman would have done
as mach.
y fe~ days later public discus
SION w.s TO take place bc,sewn Mr.
Winthrop and his opponent Every
body attended, the ladies Included.
Of course Clara was there; for she not
ouly felt deep interest in her fathers
success, but especially desired to see
that hateful Lcavitt HAYWARD get
his due. The arrangement was that
Mr.. HAYWARD should speak first.
And when that gentleman stepped
forward and made his opening bow,
Clara gave start Of surprise, and
then blashed crimson. Penclling
a few hurried lines, she had them
carried to her father. who sat waiting
his turn 10 speak.
Leayitt Hayward's speech was n
bold and manly utterance of his views.
with not word which even Clara
could construe disparaging to her
father.
When Mr., Winthrop rose, his words
were great surprise 10 all.
Il trust my friends will pardon me-
ne said, "if | beg promission to with
draw from this contest, and solicit
their support for the gentleman who
has just concluded. There is no
great principle at stake, and after so
many years Of service, may well ask
"A little rest; and | have the best of
reasons for believing that the public
interest could not be trusted to safer
hands than those of Leavitt Hayward"
Then IN his best style, he related
the recent incident Of his daughters
rescue, the hero of which, he had Just
discovered, was the worthy opponent
he had come there TO meet.
\ moment later, Grace Richie re-
ceiyed a letter from her friend, an
extract fron which will serve to wind
up our stroy:
80 I'm going to Washington, after
all. Mr.. Hayward and | { told you
at the time, of pap's withdrawal in his
favor am to be married next month.
OF course you must be first brides
maid. What fun it will be to see
you blush when you meet Mr.. H.,
and remember the goins-over we gave
him to his face, in the coach that day"
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