Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-02-10

had within twelvemonth lost her nus
band, "a fond, foolish old man." who
bad bestowed upon his young wife all
his property, a carriage drawn by two
powerful stecds.
The pace was tremendous. Many Of
the guests wonderingly moved 10 the
piazza and looked with IL feeling akin
to terror at the speed at which the
foaming animals were running.
''Have they taken the bits into their
mouths and become unmanageable?"
asked an elderly gentleman as he
pushed through the throng to the front.
at would seem so, lady answered.
But perceive, if my eyes do not de,
deceive me, seated on the drivers box,
Robert Adair."
A minute later and the vehicle was
driven to the front of the mansion.
There the spirited animals, with u
snort that seemed to some a shrek OF
agony, were suddenly stopped. Their
bodies were covered with peHpiration,
and from their mouths dripped masses
offoam As they stood and trembled,
servants having come forward to seize
them, the driver leaped to the ground
and rapidly approached the guests
who had not yet got sufficiently over
their surprise to welcome him.
Robert Adair glanced quickly around
him, and then, on removing his hat
and haughtily bowling, said:
Pardon, good friends. Am ! late?
My watch informs me that it is the
hour Of eelven. am an hour behind the
appointed time. | should have been
here earlier, | know. Oace before
disappointed you and my tiancee. The
breaking Of the reins and throwing
from his seat Of my coachman-he
falling heavily on the ground and in
jurlng his arm-was my then excuse.
This time, but for most fortunate cir
cumstance, | should also have been de-
layed to your disappointment, doubt
less, and to Miss Drayton's chagrin."
pray explain yourself, Mr.. Adair,
said a lady who was expected to act the
part Of a bridesmaid.
Gladly" was Adair's reply. II do
not know what could have actuated the
fellow. 1t was the coachman | had
formerly employed, who, until recently
was in the service Of Mrs. Silva. For
Solllt ltuSoli ilt ltbll tNl llbiii llluh'illlt
retlnue of dependents, and requested
employment from me. Knowing him
to be an excellent whip / engaged him.
When we were about six miles from
herein the heart of the morass-he
stopped the horses, and alighting, pre-
tended to readiust the harness, which,
he said, had got out of place. | watch
ed him closely, but for no particular
reason. When he had re-arranged the
harness he moved to the side of one Of
the forewheels, and it being quite light,
| saw him take from one of his peck
cts n pair Of pincers, and on putting
the nippers to the linch-pin, he quickly
drew it out. What was his object? !
could not tell. |, however, opened the
door of the coach, and before he could
ascend to his seat | had firm hold of
him by the collar, while the cold band
of my revolver was in close proximity
to his head.
"James," said explain your con
duct"
"He trembled ike the catitl' he is.
He told a confused story, in which. of
course, | placed no credence. This
much l will say Out ofrevenge, | sup
pose, for some fancied insult or neglect,
he sought to implicate his late mis-
tress. Nine Silva, i'll conspiracy that
would affect the future happiness of
Miss Drayton and myself 1t was this
motive that on the first occasion caused
him to cut the reins and leave the
horses to their own wills. He did not,
however, calculate (he said) that he
would be hurled from his seat and in
jured. For the hurt he received on
the occasion he was recompensed-so
he assured me-
! Persuaded the fellow was worth
less liar | discharged him on the spot,
first compelling him to replace the
pin
Mounting the box and taking the
reins, YOU may rest assured, my friends,
that | proved the mettle of my horses
IN the six miles they have run within
the past thirty minutes
And the coachman?' demanded one
of the guests.
II left him to ruminate over his
treachery in the swamp answered
Robert Adair,
Miss Drayton-Alco?" anxiously
demanded Robert Adair upon entering
the great chamber i'll which the cere-
mony of marriage was To have been
celebrated
The young lady before referred as
! having been chosen to the Office of
bridesmaid, quietly stepped to his side
and said IN low voice
"EXcept putting on her bridal veil,