The Penn's Grove record., 1885-01-24

ing in stern tones what the midnight
uprOar might mean.
Lady Dacre, with her three daughters
and a score Of guests, came out pale
and frightened from a -drawing-room
near at nand, all asking at one of mas
ter, servants, and n another why the
bell rang out 80 loudly.
No one seemed able to give an expla-
nation, though. All that Thomson
could say was that he was doing in his
snug old-fashioned pOrter's chair before
thr fire when he heard shots fired in
rapid succession outside, followed by
the shouts of men, as if in mortal strife,
and at the same moment the alarm-bell
rang out loud enough to wake the dead.
"Where Is Lord Tablet ?" SAID the
old Earl, stamping with inpatient
anger. and looking in vain upon the
women crowding round for protection.
''Where is Lord Talbot ? Where are
all the gentlemen who came to-day 7
Go-bring some of the men-seryants,
boy ~ he said to Henry, the page, who
was ~endeavoring to escape observation
by keeping behind some of the guests.
''Am | the only man In the house when
men are most needed Z"
lie motioned the lad away with an
impatient wave of the hand but, pale
and scared Henry stood before him
''If you please, my lord he said, Il
know what it is. Cakes, the keeper,
told Lord Talbot this morning that he
expected trouble tonight with Seth
Henderson and his poachers. Keeper
had heard say as how the pOachers were
coming in strong force tonight, and
Lord Talbot and Captain Lucas and
some more Of the gentlemen SAID as
how they'd see the fun and help to make
the men prisoners. I'm afeard, my
lord, to tell you Half an hour ago
they went out with guns and sticks
Cakes came for them-and there'll be
harm done, there will, for Seth Hender-
son wouldn't stick at murder and they
do say that Captain Lucas is like a very
demon when he 6ghts-"
That is enough, boy. Tell the men
to come with lanterns, and we will go
and see what 1t means"
The old Earl's face, though stern and
proud, was very white, He loved his
only sou with no common Lore, and, in
the long moments that passed before
the men came, he suffered agonies, pic
turing to himself his yellow-haired lad,
the pride of his life, the heir Of VOL
.stenholme, lying out OF the snowy
grass, dead, with the moonlight falling
upon his honnp face.
In reality but very few moments had
passed between the first olang Of the
bell and the time when the four men
passed down the broad stone steps on to
the lawn, the ladies following them at
a little distance, to see if anything
strange presented itself.
II never knew Captain Lucas was
here did you, Isabel ?" said Lady
Grace to her sister, who, a thin shawl
of white lace gathered over her head,
was stepping quickly after her father.
mo" answered Isabel, with a slight
shudder and Lady Grace wondered at
the whiteness of her beautiful face and
the terror which shone out from her
soft violet eyes.
"Talbot must have asked him at the
last minute without telling u.s." the
elder sister went on musingly, gather
ing at the same time the train Of her
satin robe from contact with the wet
bushes they passed but Isabel never
heard her.
The little group only a few PAGES in
front had turned a corner now, and
were hurrying down a narrow path over.
Swallowed by tall Scotch frs, a ragged
underground of bramhles stretching
out long arms TO catch their feet.
AS Isabel turned the corner and laid
a light hand upon her fathers shoulder,
two more shots were heard, following
each other with hardly a second be-
tween, a wild oath or two in the rough
voices of the p~oachers, and then a ring
cheer, III which she could easily dis
tinguish young Talbot's powerful voice.
The men broke into a Il then, even
the old Earl forgetting mis- dignity for
a moment ard in a small circular OPEN
ing where a mOss-grown sundlal stood,
and round which great frs lowered ma
jestically, showing black in the moon
light, they found the explanation of the
One man came through the misty
light to meet them-Oakes, the head
keeper, binding his left hand in a big
handkerchief, and removing bis cap
when he found there were ladies pres
ent.
Its all over, my lord, he said, cap
in hand, and speaking in a half-depre-
eating manner, noticing the angry light
in his masIe r's eyes ''we'ye beat them
hollow, Jakes and Tom, two under
keepers, have got Seth Henderson safe,
and are taking him to lock him up in
the Toulouse. There's been a many
shots fired, but, as far as | al see
there hasn't been much time to notice
thought am the only man hurt. Lord
Talbot is safe and sound he vent with
the other gentlemen to try to catch the
rest of the poachers, THERE hear
his voice o they are coming back."
1t was as he said. They heard the
footsteps of the victorious party return
towards the little glade, and young
Talbot's voice in jovial triumph con-
graduating his companions on the fun
they had had.
The whole party from the house went
down the narrow path TO meet them
ali but Lady Isabel. She was standing
erect in an attitude of keen attention
in the midst of the trampled snow, lis
tening for surely she heard some
sound other thar the wall of the cold
wind moving the bare pine-branches |
There it was again
"Isabel pa groan as of a dying
man. and then the sweet name came
again-"Isabel ~
All, Lady Isabel did not think to
meet him thus-her first love, whom
she had sent away for an idle within n
year beforel
Lying upon the withere1 brackeu and
the blood stained snow, his sad face
r with the ashen hue of coming
death and the hot blood yelling from
side, was Captain Richard Lucas /;
and, with one great fearless sob. the
daughter crouched In the snow
aud took his head upon her knee.
Poor Dick was dying hard to all APP
pearance, drawing his breath In great
gasps. and trying to stanch the horrid
dow with both hands, gazing up into
III - ,l--.-. $50 n.1 #rv