Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-22
A WILD RIDE.

we nlu Deeu living Ill IIelauu lol
about two years, and every day Iregret-
ted she tim" more and more when my
husband had decided to leave England
and come over to manage his property,
which was situated in one of the most
lnwless and disafected counties.
Fenianism was rife, and heartily I
wished we were away and over the water
again, at least until these troubled days
had given place to better and more
peaceful times, and now that the long,
dark winter afternoons and evenings
had set in again, used to sit and watch
anxiously Tor my husbands return
when Lionel would come in looking
moody and uneasy, and kept his revolv-
er always loaded, though he never told
me he suspected danger, and tried to
make light of it for my sake.
Oh it was a wretched, miserable
time, and I can never forget it.
remember so well how the crash
came at last, and how the volcano
burst forth that had been smouldering
so long.
We were sitting at breakfast one
morning when the letters were brought
in, and after handing them the bearer
stood fidgeting about.
Lionel looked up.
"That will do, Delaney, and tell John
to bring the dog-cart around in half-an-
hour"
"Lionel, I don't like that man." I
said, after he had left the room. clam
sure he is spy. Iwish you would get
rid of him."
"Oh, the fellow is right enough. 1t is
his brother, you know, that am going
over to the court about to-day"
"What is itP" I exclaimed, as Lionel
got up suddenly, looked vexed and an
noyed, and threw letter into the fire.
"Lionel, is it another of those dreadful
letters?"
eyes, warning me against giving evil
dence against Delaney to-day. What is
the country coming to2 But there; 1
ought not to have told you-it will
brighten you into fits"
"Lionel, you must not go to-day-in-
deed, indeed, you must stay at home !;
they may mean what they say. Oh,
promise me you won't co."
Nonsense - absurdity; Winifred,
don't be so foolish. Why, dear, these
are all empty threats. But once show
the white feather and they will be ten
times worse. You foolish little wife"
he added, tenderly, "and SO you worry
and fret yourself when 1 am away, ex-
pecting me home on a shutter, sup
pose. Well, don't sit up for me tonight,
for after the trial is over I am going to
dine at Col. Arbuthnot's, and shan't be
home till late. Now must be off,"
A few more loving words, and then
stood watching him driving down the
avenue, turning now and then to wave q
farewell.
1 was only half satisfied, and was wish.
ing he had not gone.
After lunch l went out to take some
wine to the lodge-keeper's child, who
was i'll.
It was rather late when 1 started, and
the sun was setting behind the mount
ain, shedding flood of crimson light
over the golden glories of the fading
year.
I sta! l there till it was quite dark,
when st rted home.
Suddenly hearing footsteps, I paused;
nearer and nearer they came. and then
through, the darkness l could see two
men slowly approaching, talking in low:
earnest tones.
Sick with terror, 1 drew back behind
a large tree, for one of the men way
Delaney.
At first they spoke in low, cautions
tones, but, by degrees, their voices were
raised, and at last Delaney, raising his
hand, exclaimed, with vehemence thai