The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-08


moved on and disappeared in the swirl of the !
snow and the darkness.
1t is net pleasant thing to be tisdtoa tree |
on winter night in snowstorm, nor does it |
add to ones comfort to have broken head.
But far more grievous than either it Is to |
know that the girl whom you love is in the
clutches of villains, and that you can do
nothing to save her. And when all these
evils afflict at one time, perhaps nothing
would make them more unbearable than to
be strapped up next to nervous old gentle
man, who keeps on bawling that he is catch
ing his death Of cold, and that he is certain to be
tormented with rheumatism. Yet all these
troubles fell to Jack Verinder's lot. He
cursed the foohardiness that had brought his
beloved into such peril, and he cursed still
more the fool next him, upon whom he laid
all the blame of it.
While these events were happening Jacks
FIVE friends had been lying in wait for the
coach under clump of trees on some rising
ground, and their ardor for a night adventure
had been hourly abating. The exploit had
looked very fine and romantic over CHEEKY
fire and claret; but to sit half the night be-
striding horse in the midst Of binding
snowstorm is apt to make man churlish.
He is apt to think it second rate sport to
capture bride for another; and that warm
bed in country inn is better than playing the
| highwayman. The young fellows swore that
Jack was late; that he had lost his way that
he had probably never started; and they were
| Just on the point Of turning round and riding
! off in dudgeon, when the snow began to abate.
| The heavy storm clouds broke, the moon
shone forth between them, and all around
| them stretched a broad white expanse OF
country, revealed as if by magic. Andup the
hill towards them came COACH slowly lum-
bering; the horses with heads low down, toiling
against the snow drifts; and behind the coach
rider, leading horse unmounted.
.sHist!n cried Ned, ''they are coming,
and the youngsters drew back into hiding.
THAT'S Oldham's coach for certain, said
Harry, ''but-"
They have met with an accident, sure,
whispered Dick, ''else why the two horsemen
behind them?''
/ 'sWe must do our part at any rate, said
/ Tom, accident or no accident; SO when |
/ give the signal set upon them.
When the coach was within fifty PAGES of
4 the ambush out sprang our five adventurers,
and charged down the road very calamity,
shouting to the driver TO stop and submit to
/ their mercy. The driver did stop quite
promptly, and seeing, as he thought, five
hardy highwaymen, hoRrishiug pistols and
intent on plumber he uimbly slipped from the
saddle, and mounting his own horse he dashed
away with his companion as fast as their
horses could carry them. Then, turning down
byroad, they we're lost to sight between the
hedges
Our young gentlemen drew rein, astonished
at this proceeding, which had never been part
Of their agreement with Jack.
SIS Jack mad, cried Dick, 'or playing as
a trick; or is there witchcra0 in i =
For there stood the horses, painting, with
steaming nostEiIs, glad 70 rest from their labor,
and behind them the coach, snow powdered
and seemingly empty.
The young fellows we're brave enough, but
their hearts sank into their JACK boots Tor
there was something wierd in the motionless
coach and in the sudden vanishing Of the
/ riders. And the moonlight came and went,
casting shadows most aneaFthly-
At last Tom summoned up courage, aud
rode ND 10 AAlE GAAAa2 WIZ %AA&+k44s AAH RE4AA
down in bis saddle and peered in al the win
I dow. Then. with shout, be spsaag from his
I horse, dung open the coach door and entered.
/ His friends rode up Al his CRY, and they saw
1 that there was q girl in the eoach. Ton vas
I throwing back her hood, and chafag her
I hands and hertemples-
.sShe's dead. said Tom or she il swoou.
+ ing. and We have drunk ~ 81 our brandy.
/ Ellen Tresidder bad tainted from fright, bot
she soon showed signs Of reTivlug. she
opened her eyes, and maAned, and besoaght
the good gentlemen q be mercifal.
ssCome, come. don't be frightened said
Tom ave are friends, Jacks friends, aud
we vii protect Jon.
s.Ah, Jack my darling Jack, cried the
girl piieoasly, and then she baFsi into tears.
where IS he = said Ton. Tell as, for
sare he would never have left you.
.Ah. no, Ellen sobbed; ''bat they took
him from me, the bugands, and they hanged
him hy The roadside. | saE them seiEe him.
aud get ready ihe rope; and then | tainted
with horror.
"HaBgedf cried the youths ia breath,
looking in each Others faces blaakly.
bring on the coach, yon others, I'm oa,
shouted Tom. ''Who knowz2 there may yet
be time.
He drove his spurs deep into his horses
sides. aud he sped down the road ike sight-
ming. Ned came close on his track, for these
two were the desperate riders. The horses
plunged through the snow as II they knew of
the danger, heads stretched cut. ears down,
and nostrils red and inflated. Behind them
the powdery SLOW Hang up by their hoofs
curled away ia the breeze ike smoke wreashs,
and along the eastern horizon was the gFa
dawn Of Christmas morning.
sHnrrah ~ shouted Ton. Jack i safe =
t - ~. n a. a.
4 10 a tree. and helpless, and BY his side Sir
I Ralph, very blue ia the face. aud swearing.
| Aud the truth OF what had happened broke
I in upon them, and as they drew rein by the
/ tree, they burst into hearty laughter.
20, Tom, they have carried her OF,
groaned Jack.
'.No, no, she Is safe 81
ssWe have got hertz
/ God be thAakea!n
/ Jack could laugh too now, although he was
stiff and freezing. when his two friends, jumped
/ from their horses, and bowling with mighty
ceremony wished the prisoners Merry Christ
mas.
"A curse on your Merry Christmas e. mut.
/ tered Sir Ralph. his jaws rattling as he spoke
1 ike a pair Of castanets What have you
done xith my wife, you knaves? Give her
IN. or I'll have you TO 1yhuTn.
.sYoar wife = shouted Jack. in 3 rage,
| .sHow dare you to insnlt Miss Iresidder
She Is betrothed TO ne, and none but me shall
she marry.
Hear the rascaliy post boy, the knight
retoried, with as much dignity as a man can
show when he is tied TO a tree. Let nae
/ loose, you scoundrels, at once, that ] may
I troance him soundly?'
Here a to.doi'' laughed Tom. How
| shall we settle this question! The girl cant
/ be the wife Of one, and yet betrothed to the
| other. ] am afraid, gentlemen, you must
/ remain in bondage a while longer. Here
comes the coach and the lady. Perhaps she
/ will throw light on the Natter
/ And sure enough, through the snow and
/ the chill early twilight, the coach could be
/ seen approaching as fast rs Harry could drive
/ il, the remaining youths of the party forming
| an escort.
/ There was no need 10 appeal to Ellen as to
which, was the favored snitor; for the coach
| had hardly stopped before she flung the door
/ open. She sprang out into the snow. and she
! threw her arms round her lover. She laid
| her head on his shoulder and sighed
my jack my darling
so Lord - moaaed Sir Ralph, the
worlds gone mad, | think. The hussy left
me no peace till ran off with her, and now
| she is hugging a scurvy postilionl Let me
! free, my good men, pray you. | would give
half my fortuus 10 be out of this pestilent
business"
ave won't ask that of YOU, said Tom, for