The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-08-24

have some very important business at
Old Anchors this morning with Mr. Brat
ton, who owes me very large sum Of hof=
towed money, as we'll as six months rent Of
Old Anchors. am not strong enough to-
day to drive Ajax in my chariot; and Mag-
pie Dilker knows NO. hing about driving.
Shed upset the chariot before we got ten
yards from the cottage. Will you, my
love, go with me? You have no school, to-
day."
Verneena detested being seen in the
rickety old chaise with Dame Grippard.
She loathed contact with her after what she
had learned the proceeding night. She
knew the dame wished to show her to Cap
tain Balbata, to stimulate him into desire to
purchase her as bale of goods might be
purchased But mindful of her lovers
billet and her promise to be at Old An.
chors on this morning, and eager indeed to
tell him all she had discovered, she replied
to the dame, and with we'll Unaffected teluct-
nnce
well, Dame Grippard- however, since
you have promised not to meddle with my
love affairs-why-wel yes, 1 will drive
you to Old Anchors this morning / will
not promise to do SO again, for l detest to
drive old Ajax. He is SO slow"
"Ohl" mentally exclaimed the dame, and
exultingly, Il knew my promise to let her
have her own way in her love matters
would gain her consent to accompany me
to Old Anchors
"If Balbata and l agree" she added to
herself, after thanking Verneena for her
consent, "all / need to carry out my part Of
the bargain with him will be to keep her
under my roof just one more night-just
one more night / must lose no more
time. The girl must be abducted by Bal
bats this very night or her lover may win
the prize. / wish knew who he is. But
I cannot spare time 10 try to discover that
now. No doubt he il some penniless,
handsome fellow, such as girl like her
would fancy, no matter how poor no may
be.
Soon after breakfast Verneena and the
dame started for Old Anchors in the ancient
chaise. At about nine o'clock Verneena
halted the rafting old vehicle not far from
.he main gate of one of the high fences
which surrounded Old Anchors.
This gate. like all the others of the
premises, was closed and locked on the in
side, though it was now long past the hour
when the gates should be stanaing open for
the business of the place. Several men,
who looked like whlrfmen, were seated or
lounging near the gate. conversing in whis-
pers or in low tones.
In the distance, and already noticed by
Verneena, but not by Dame Grippard, q
young man, mounted on superb horse,
was slowly walking his steed toward Old
Anchors, in the middle of one of the
streets which led toward the gate just
mentioned.
This young man was Verneenas lover,
on his way to keep his secret appointment
with her and to transact important business
with Mr.. James Bratton. Verneena had
already recognized her lover, but she said
nothing of him to the dame, who had not
CHANGED to turn her eyes toward him. The
dame cast her glances sharply over the per-
sons near the gate as the chaise halted. Her
eyes quickly rested inquiringly upon those
Of thin-faced AID slender man, short in
stature and ordinarily CARRIED, who was
leaning against one Of the posts of the
gateway.
She crooked her fore finger significantly
to the man and he at once fastened to
place himself near her. on her side of the
vehicle. taking off his hat respectfully and
even cringingly, as he bowed and awaited
her speech.