The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-09-20


One Of the panels Of the door had been
broken in, but the aperture was not big
enough to let more than leg or an arm
pass through.
"We'll have him out, leave 1t to me. 4"
said Harkshire, as ne hurried down to
the now d eserted coifee-room
where be secured cSstorfnl of cayenne
pepper. some matches and plate.
Motioning to his companions to keep
silence, Lord Harkshire emptied the
whole Of the pepper castor onto the
plate. set FIRE to it, and then dexteroIsly
slipped TIE plate into the room through
the gap in the door.
In very few minutes the most pois-
onous aud mephitic fumes rose from the
burning of the cayenne. They heard
Plain John jump from his bed to the
floor, then the "souse" of water jugs
contents on the plate.
The door opened suddenly, and tall
figure, looming for a moment through
the now dense volume of smoke that
filled the room, rushed quickly into the
passage. lie bad heavy. double.thong
whip in his hand, and as he was outside
and his eyes had become accustomed to
the light, be laid about him vigorously
4Rlng the whip crack like pistol shot
as 1t came down heavily on his persecu-
tors. They fell away at once, and fairly
fed before him, Pluip John, still using
his whip freely, followed fast, but soon
singled ont his chief tormenter.
Lord Harkshire ran mp one passage
aud down another. always with bis re-
lentltss enemy at his heels, till at last,
opened the FIRST door he came to, dashed
in. and hurridly locked it behind him.
Plain John was not to be banked so
easily OF his prey. He mounted guard
outside the door, always with the double
thong in his band, prepared to lay it on
again whenever Harkshire appeared.
But while he waited there, stu fierce
and implacable, another actor came
upon the scene. 1t was Col. Erastus p.
Dusser.
"Well, of all the confounded heathen.
ish hotels, cried the colonel; then his
eyes fell on Mr.. Cockin's tall figure, clad
in tho lightest of dishabille. What in
tue thunder are you doing here?"
waiting for some one to come out"
answered Plain John, grimly.
"Who should come out? Do you know
whose bedroom thnt is. man? It's my
Beliudas, aud il it's her You expect to
come ont, let me tell you-"
At this moment piercing shrielI
rose from within. Belinda must have
discovered his lordship's intrusion.
WHAT'S wrong. Belnda?" I'm here
your father; don't be sAeered"
%, father! a map-sonle strange man
have never seen him before; there,
there"
Its all mistake" hastily cried Lord
Harkshire. My friend outside, Mr..
Cockin, Of our corps, will bear me out
in what l say"
Hut Plain John shook his head and
declined TO speak.
a am ready to make any apologies
any reparatlon, stammered out Lord
Htrkshire.
There is only one reparation posi-
BILE. don't know who yGu are; gentle
man, guess. or you would not be in
those regimental clothes. But, whoeytr
you are.y must marry my girl marry
her right away-swear it, on your honor
as gentleman, or I'll have your blood. "
It was pi,iable plight for the best
match of the season. whom mothers
petted aud daughters sweetly enconr-
aged, to thus choose his marchioness in
the dark without seeing her. without
knowing her name. But he could not
escape from the pitiless and truculent
American. and the only consolation be
had Was that the wife thus thrust upon
him owned very handsome dot and
was not devoid of personal charms.
AS for Plain John Cockiu. he retired
soon aflerward from th II Hirkshire horse
bat he was always much respected and
liked by his old companions,in arms.