Connecticut western news., 1882-09-20
VOL. XII.

Harry ?" said Maude, just blushing 8 ! little, for fear it sounded forward and ! bold.
 "It's agesr" said the young fellow. "Think of waiting three years-why, we I shall be old folks by that time p',.
 "Not quite as bad as that," said ! Maude.
 'I'm sure my hair will be gray by that time!"
 Nonsense, Harryl Now you are joking" "I was never more in earnest in my life, ," said he, as he stole kiss from her pretty lips, and ran away, so as not to hear her chide him for his boldness. Maude," said her father, coming into the house from the barn, |" I wish you would ride the sorrel mare into Easton and get this hundred-dollar bill changed at the bank. The workmen have got done with the roofing of the barn and want to pay them off to- night"
 "Very well, father. Let John put the side.saddle on and I will be ready in five minutes" The sorrel mare was brought up to the door, and Maude was soon on her way at easy hand gallop toward Eas- ton. She had an. excellent seat. and was good horsewoman. As she knew this very we'll, she would not have ob- jected to have Harry see her just now but he had gone few moments before in an opposite direction. When Maude got into Easton she rode directly to the bank, but was unfortunate enough to find that it was already closed. After few moments thought she re- solved to try to get the note changed at the grocer's or at some of the other stores, and went immediately to do so. Fate seemed against her, for no one had small change enough to accommodate Miss Henderson.
 At one of the stores where she stopped very gentlemanly- looking person took out his pocketbook and said he thought he could change it for her, and she handed him the bill; but he returned 1t, saying, after all, he had not so much small money. He seemed to regret this, however, and even followed Maude to the door and assisted her to remount her horse.
 She was forced to give up her errand, as she did not like to run about among strangers, asking them to change her a bill, especially as no one seemed able to do so. She therefore turned her horses head once more toward home. Scarcely had she passed the outskirts of the town when she was overtaken by the stranger who had spoken with her in the last store, and who at first thought he could change her bill. He was mounted upon fine-looking bay horse, and saluted her respectfully as he came alongside. ''Did you get your bill changed ?" he asked.
 "No; small bills seemed scarce," she replied.
 sDo you live near here?" ''About five miles off,
 "Quite ride."
 ''Oh, we don't mind five miles in the country"
 "You are an excellent rider.''
 'I have ridden since was six years old," she said; "but my sister Ellen is better rider than I am."
 "You are generous to admit it." said the stranger.
 "Why, it IS only the truth" she an- swered, frankly.
 After they had passed over about two miles, they came to very lonely piece of road, quite removed from any dwelI- ing houses. Still, as the stranger ap- peared so gentlemanly, and had ad- dressed her so politely, she had not the least suspicion of any evil intention on his part.
 Presently he said, suddenly, "Iwill thank you for that bill."
 "What ?" said she, half smiling. | "Please to give me that bill."
 "What do you mean ?" asked Maude.
 "Just what I say p he replied suddenly.
 "I shall do no such thingp she answered, firmly.
 "I am sorry to draw pistol upon a lady," he continued, suiting the action to the word, "but must have that hundred-dollar bill at once."
 "Do you mean to rob me p
 "I must have the money P
 It was still with difficulty that she could believe that the man was in earnest but when he now cooked his hand, while he extended the other for the bill. she was forced to yield to the
 situation. She was brave-heartec
 girl, and even now did not turn pale o1 tremble in the least, but saw that sht could not help herself, and so made tht
 best of it.
 Just as she held out the bill to him. sudden puff of the wind blew it into tn,
 road and carried it gently several yard from them. The stranger aIighted t. get it, and quick as thought Maud struck her horse smart blow, in orde , to get out of the robbers Epower. Tn r sorrel mare was spirited little creature and sprung into 8 smart gallop at once 3 while the strangers horse, which ha
 been left standing beside her, als : started off at full speed in her company l Bang went the robbers pistol afte
 them, having only the effect to increas O