Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-12-13

! again toward. he gibbst. the figure
/ hsd vanished.
For nearly half O mile the road
trended to the lsft around Fiddler
Acre. and every step was contested
by old Dspp!s against dozen furious
gusts. Presently the moon shone full
before them and revealed the high
way stretching Whitley to the west
across the level moor. The wind
strong as ever, grew steady again as
they turned their backs upon the
tur.
The Doctor turned round for a la.t
look.
This is very extraordinary be
muttered, I'll bs sworn | saw a wo-
man. But what on earth q woman
can be after on Fiddler's Acre, at
this hour and in such weather, I'll be
equally sworn cannot guess. Riz.
pah, perhaps, keeping watch over the
fellow who was holsted there two
d Us back-what's his name? Rena-
tus-Renstus Bennett. An odd name
that, for -
He broke off to turn sharply round
again for the usually sober Dappl
had SHE'D violently to the right, and
now stood stock-still, with his legs
planted widely apart. in the middle
of the road.
Steady. DApplel What ails the
horse? Hulloa !
To the left of the road, aud just
before him, stood a woman.
Her figure was larger than ordiua-
ry and shaped with the clumsiness OF
middle age. Over her head was
flung dark shawl, which her left
hand held tightly together at the
throat. In her right she carried a
large Big. This was as much as the
Doctor could see, for the shawl con.
cesled her features.
'HuIloa said he again. DO you
want lift?
Tie woman appeared to hesitate.
She made step forward and halted.
Are you going my way?' called
the Doctor more loudly.
Sne nodded. Yes she answered
&c last, and her voice was hoarse an
constrained.
Come round to the other side then,
and get up. Here, give me your
/ beg,'
Ta- woman crossed in front of Dap.
/ ;..-Hho backed foot or SO uneasily
/ -:A"re round to the step, and handed
4 III h.r bag. It was a two-handled
bag Of considerable depth, and
Dcior Unonius, as he took it frou
be- sid rested it against the dash
\ b34:d noticed also that it was exceed
lrg.y neavy. He held out his hand
Tae woman grssped it, and ciambereC
up beside him.
lie gave . sharp look at her, anc
called TO old Dapple. The horse pull
e; hi.asslf together and broke into I
brisk trot, which continued for hare
upon MALI mile before either occu
pant ot the gig broke silence.
For Doctor Unonius was consider
ing. He was a cool he 4ded man, bu
at this time Of night, and in this plac,
the problem that faced him was Meth
e. .4~v nor pleasant. He had to dea
with discovery-and the discovery
Wa. TINS:
7 TIE hand which had Just graspeC
Lis Was no woman's at all, but tn
hand of a man. He stole aEothe
glance at his companion. She, or he
was leaning forward in a huddled at
titude TO meet the wind, which b,
thi. time was attacking the right
hand eide Of the gig. No atom G
face could be seen only the han,
which grasped the shawl. II an,
doubts had lurked in the Doctor
mind. the sight of this hand resolved
them. l. was mans hand. plaini,
enough. He recognized this with
slight thrill, which possibly was no
fear, out certainly was not ease.
+! You are shivering.' he said.
The crouching figure nodded. bu
DID TO: speak.
! Are yoa cold?
Fas moment there was no answer
;:.-n shake of the head.
i. then? am a doctor; let IN
Z i~I us pulse
HI companion made quick ges;uT
= If 20 hide The hand gre.ping tL'
al, II The gig. There was hesitatinl
p4ase. and then the hand was reached
across to him.
Or Unoniu., drawing of his righ
hand glove with his teeth, laid hi