The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

tW1nkllng IN the distance, ana you can
leave your box at one of EN- and walk on.
s.But [ do not know anyone living
therer' exclaimed Laurette, aghast at the
mans impudence; s;and | could not think
of taking such liberty y
@Well, please yourself; only you must
get out of my cab, was the rough answer,
81 shall do nothing of the kind, said
Miss Lyon, decisively. "You will drive
me back to Redland; there may be able
to get another cab--or at any rate a man
to carry my box.
"And supposing | don't, miss, what
then p with an ugly leer.
"Then you won't be paid, was the
prompt answer. And Laurette looked the
rude driver steadily in the face, although in
her heart she was getting afraid of him,
and very heartily wished herself safe in her
friends house.
The man grumbled good deal, but
finally climbed back to his seat and turned
his horses head toward Redlapd. He had
not gone very far, however, before he again
pulled up, and Miss Lyon heard him accost
some one on the road. A mans voice an
swered, and Laurette, hastily letting down
the window, heard the driver rejoin:
There's young woman inside as wants
a hescort down to Stoke. P'r'aps you'll
oblige 'er?"
The insolence of the mans tone was
more than Laurette could brook. She
sprang out of the cab and addressed her
self to a tall man, with his coat collar
turned up and his hat pressed down over
his eyes, who stood on the path.
II want some one to carry my box to
Mr.. Mansfelds, at Stoke, she said, in a
clear tone. eff you can do so shall be
glad to pay you what you think proper.
This cabman can't or won't drive me over
there"
Her veil was thrown back and the light
of neighboring lamp showed to the strap=
ger a pale, fnely-cut face and a pair of
flashing gray eyes. She was too furried
and angry to notice his appearance.
Without word he turned to the driver.
stGive me the trunk" he said, in deep,
gruff voice.
aTrunk, indeed" returned the other
with a sneer; " tbs but a light bit of box "
~ have heavy hand, y returned the
stranger in the same deep voice. "Do you
want to feel the weight of it 2"
The man looked up, startled.
II want my fare, 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 in
solent cabman, and felt grateful to the
stranger for his opportune arrival and readi-
ness to oblige her; and, taking him to be
respectable artisan, or something 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 re-
marks that the conversation soon ceased
altogether; and when he didspeak his voice
was SO gruff and deep that it sounded un-
natural, and the idea occurred to Laurette
that it must be assumed.
The idea was not a pleasant one. What
could be the meaning of it? She noticed,
also, that he kept looking at her continu-
ally. She never lifted her eyes without
eRco4ptering his cleaning at her from un-
der the shadow of his hat. Brave though
she was, she grew nervous and uncomforta-
BILE. 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 a thief or
murderer?
It was between seven and eight clock,
and very dark. At that hour, on such
bitter night, the road they were pursuing
was practically as lonely as though there
were not house within mile of it.
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 to perish in
the cold? If it came to blows she would
struggle hard, she was resolved ere she
would submit to be robbed of her valua-
bles. But what if he were to slip behind
her and in some sudden, tFeaeherous man
ner deprive her of all power of resistance !
She shivered at the thought, and stepped
out into the center Of the road; and when
her companion followed her example, and
placed himself again at her side, she al
most screamed aloud with terror.
He saw her start.
'Is there anything the matter p he
asked, and his manner was so kind that she
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 few fam
ing fuses, they quickly found themselves;
to her great relief, in the welLlit hall of
the house they sought
The man put down the box, and the
neat housemaid went to inform her young
mistress of Miss Lyons arrival.
II am much obliged to you" said Laq-
rette, drawing out her purse. "How much
do l owe you?" And looking at her com
panion she noticed, for the first time, and
With dismay, that he looked much more
like a gentleman than an artisan.
'sYou owe me kiss, madam" he an-
swered, in different and natural tone
"Sirl' she calculated, in utter surprise,
though now his voice sounded strangely
familiar
"Have you forgotten the kiss you prom
ised men ten years ago tonight, Laurette?
and he tossed aside his hat and stepped to-
ward her.
Herbert! Oh Herbert r
And Mrs. Mansfield coming into the
hall moment later, stood still in mute
astonishment to behold Laurette- grave,
fastidious Laurette-clasped close in the
arms of tall, fne-looking man.
"Well!a she exclaimed, at length.
At the sound of her voice Ilaurette re-
leased 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. Mansfeld's cosy little
drawing room. Miss Lyon, looking so
young and pretty in her new-found happi-
ness that in Herbert's eyes she seemed the
very J.aurette of ten years ago, sat in a low
chair by the fire, with a screen in her hand
and her face turned toward her lover
s'And so you were unfortunate the first
five years ?" she said
ttVoS on ,,nf,,rtunata and moor that some