Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-05

footsteps In the road. Gladys TOOK s,s
others hand and guided bar swirl,
and silently round The house, through
the orchard, to the swing. gate, whence
diversipg from the elm-wslk, . ns'.
row path shirted the churchya rd aoo
leo TO some fields.
keep to the footpaths across too
fields, 20 up the lana into the h'gn
road, turn to the right by the farm
house, and walk straight on until you
come to the junction"
You have saved me :"
Sam I free to tell the truth when
you are ssfe?"
ITO all the world"
"Write and tell me as soon as you
have arrived at your sisters"
"Yes, oh, yes" returned the other,
as she stole softly and quickly away.
"a real adventure" thought Gla'
dys, as she made her way back through
the orchard and round to the front OF
tie house. Yes, that is what one
wants-to be brought in contact with
realities. Had been drawing from my
imagination I should have made my
distressed heroine quite different
and-even now-yes, / really must
make her q lady. There ought
to be some love in it, too; but | think
can get that out OF my inner con.
sciousness,' smiling softly to herself
over the thought as she paced to and
fro on the lawn.
Suddenly she became aware that she
was being watched from without. Two
or three pairs Of eyes were peering at
her through the ratings Of the gate,
and she could hear men talking to-
gether in low tones, as though in bur-
lied consultation. Was it-yes it was
DR.. Harland speaking now, in q slight
ly raised voice:
"No; do not ring. AS little noise
as possible. There is an invalid there
She drew q little nearer, and stood
silently regarding them from beneath
the hood Of the cloak.
"Open the gate" said one, address
ing her. ave do not want to disturb
the inmates here by ringing, but we
are determined men-you cannot es-
cape"
She remained silent and motionless,
a triumphant little smile upon her lips
at the thought that she was mistress Of
the situation. "Quitea dramatic stu
alton !" she mentally CALCULATED.
60 Yes, this is how it must go Stand
ing in the pale moonlight, she drew
herself up to her full height, and, Sc
cure in her ignorance no, innocence,
of course secure in her innocence
and the consciousness Of the strength
Of the lock Of the garden gate, she
faced the Infatuated mob with the fear
less courage Of Oh, dear!
A young man had climbed the gate,
dropped into the garden, turned the
key, which had been left in the lock,
and admitted the others.
Quite unprepared for this-shc had
not calculated upon their getting in
Gladys shrank back, her pulses throb-
bing a little wildly. In another mo-
ment two strong arms were linked in
here, and she found herself prisoner,
hastily impelled the few steps toward
the gate, and out into the road beyond.
Meanwhile the bells in the church
lower were Ginning, as if mockingly,
There is nae luck about the house."
and reminding Der that she had to keep
Ter captors from guessing the truth for
half an hour longer.
That's her, gentlemen " ejacu-
lated a woman. She'd got her cloak
huddled about her just the same when
she passed me ut the lodge On. you
good for naught :"
"Ia in your power" said Gladys /;
"do not hurt me-"
"Come quietly and you will not be
hurt" said one, in a clear, manly
voice-the tone Of one accustomed to
command.
1--WE will carry your bag for you"
said another, whiskiDg it out Of her
hand, with a laugh.
DO not forget she isswoman, Giles"
said the first speaker "Only poor
tool, perhaps"
An right, SIR"
"No let me-" A hand strong as
steel and gentle as a woman's was laid
upon Gladys's wrist, as he went on TO
her "You must come with us, but
you will receive no rough treatment.
Unless, by resisting, you render it ne
cessary for me to use force will SIM
ply hold you thus. Walk behind,
Giles" asking the others to walk to
the right and left in case there should
be an attempt at rescue.
She was quick to recognize that her
wisest course was to walk quietly with
them until the time came to make her.
self known, barely half an hour now.
DR.. Harland was there-he would
know her. and it was but little to do
10 hello a fellow.woman in such dire
need. She was not lacking in courage,
and there was an undercurrent Of ex-
pectancy and amusement in her mind
at the thought Of the surprise she was
going to give them presently. There
really ought to be something dramatic
in the denouemenf," she was thinking.
Ii will be my turn then : DR.. Harland
will be annoyed at finding he has been
made the tool of those dreadful people /;
but be is good, and, as soon as he
knows the whole truth, he will be the
first to defend the poor thing. Still, |
think be ought not to have been so
easily deceived, and he will just little
deserve 10 be laughed at. Besides, |
must tell him that without the bit Of
comedy he affords the plot would be
too serious "
They walked through the quiet, de-
serted village, but instead Of going on
TO DR.. Hsrlsnd's house they, to her
surprise, turned in at the lodgs.gstes OF
Easterleigh Park, the present owner oil
which had lately succeeded to the es-
tate and just taken up his residence
there. Gladys had heard that a party
of friends were gathered at the house
in honor Of the homecoming.
AS they entered the avenue Gladys
paused and resisted . moment, muir
muring "No, l will not" but recOl-
lected again and walked quietly on in
the midst Of her captors, her head bent
down beneath the hood Of the cloak.