Milford chronicle., 1883-04-13

. I
what happened to me.
eve rode away from our home in tn
bright daylight, and stopped for Dime
and to change horses at an inn; then w
rode on again. 1t would be night lonl
before we reached London. sat in til,
coach with my head on my mother
shoulder, thinking of just one thing
Cecil. Should never see him again
never, never, never Would he no
follow me and carry me of by fOrcei
Could I not somehow let him know and
escape from my aunt's house in London
and be married, SO that no one could
part us9 Oh, was so miserable-mis-
cradle. Nothing like making plans that
can come to nothing and burst like bub-
bles when we have thought them, for
wretchedness.
"The afternoon faded out and the sun
set. The moon rose.
"'See what a lovely moon z said my
mother. But had not cared to look at
the moon since I saw her over the gar
den wall that night I had tried to run
away. Rumble went the coach, crack
went the whip.
Suddenly there was tumult
Gentlemen, cried the guard-'gen-
tlemen, I'm afraid we are to have some
trouble here. See to your weapons, gen
tlemen I"
"Then the coach came to a stand.
"The shrieking women chung together.
-Four masked men rode to the door. The
coachman and guards lay in a ditch.
One of the gentlemen was bound; the
other was old and lame They were
rifing his pockets while he was scream
ing. They took out gold watch,
purse, and his snuff-box with diamonds
on it. They had already the others |
money.
''Then one-the largest, the hand
soonest fgure-bent over us.
"'Don't fear, ladies, he said in a soft
voice. All we want is whatever valu-
ables you may have about you.
Mamma began 10 scream.
"The lady who sat next toh her tainted.
eve could not see the mans face, for
he was masked, and we were in the
shadow of the coach.
"' Something shines on your finger
he said; let me see it.
"He caught at a chain ON which I
wore a locket with a curl of Cecil's
lair.
"'Don't take that ? I cried. Don't
AXE that ?
81 clutched it. Our heads were close
ogether. I saw his chin and mouth
nder his mask. At the same moment
ny face was thrust into the moonlight 2
"' AmyP 1 heard him whisper to {
imsef, and knew Cecil. {
Meanwhile something had happened. \
'wo gentlemen had ridden up-the one /
ho had been bound was free. For \
nee the tables had been turned upon II
le robbers. .
Then one had ridden away; two r
ere bound and one lay bleeding. This e.
st one was Cecil. h
II knew now that my father had not Ii
zen wrong. Cecil was even worse than II
! thought him. He was a highway p,
an, a bad man and the companion of in
ID men-a creature who cut purses on is
e public road. h
" They were not all ignorant men, S!
ese highwaymen, by any means. % -
" Many had good birth, education and Of
lnners. Yes, bad man But how pC
uld I hate him all at onceP under pc
BOD that my father had been right in 'e
rting us but those lips had kissed
those hands held mine.
g The ladies need fear no longer, de
ID one of the gentlemen. Those fel- IN
VS. are not in a condition to molest Ig' Ne
en- m
90 Then he said (men didn't say such Oh
yh-fown things them: How merciful sci
the gentler sexi 1t is compassionate Ge
the erring as well as the virtuous. up u,
'' For had torn my hand from my Iii
)ther's, and knelt beside Cecil. OOl
They thought 1 pitied wounded th,
ober-that was all but this is what en-
whispered in the darkness; th'
g Amy, you know what I am now; We We
{ ! love you. wb
i'And I answered: Cecil, hate your pr
eds without hating you WI
iaThose were the last words we ever ha
oke to each other--the very last" no no
you ever see him again ?" asked ;n11
, girl. "Oh, grandmamma never ne.
ain ?" ste
The old woman looked into her eyes. pre-
He was a very bad man, my dear" eeI
said, Every bad; and never saw ua
n again. believehe died shameful
lth one day at the hands of the execu-
ner. But, you see, it was because I sPt
re been young, not because I am old, r. r.
It said you young folks were fools. Pc
1T was good while-yes, a good VIII
ile-after that night in the stage the
oh before came to my senses suffi- an'
ltly to thank dear papa for his watch me
ness over me, and be really glad that ali
ad never been Cecil's wife; but did wit
asst, my dear-I did at last; and I me
rried my good husband, your great the
you never saw; and OF
were always happy. The heart y
woman is a mystery and has been Ieft
,e Eve, my little girl. i
nos