The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-08
KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD.
[coSrlxrEp FRoM FIRST PAGE. ]

notes with one hand and scratching his head
with the other. He watched the receding
coach until it turned corner.
ssWhat the devil the young scrapegrace is
after, can't make out, he muttered as he
went back to his warm freside. "A mad
Christmas frolic it is, to be sure! Hows ever,
fifty pound is fifty pound, and he shall pay
smartly for damages if he brings my cattle to
grief
The night was bitterly cold, and the roads
were frost.bouud. The moon had not yet
risen, and the stars shone brilliantly in the
clear night air. Low in the eastern sky lay
black bulwark of threatening clouds, and
the east wind sang cheerlessly through the
leafess branches of the trees, which groaned
and shivered as if they too felt its cruel keen
ness Ten o'clock rang out from church
tower in the town when Jack drew rein at
the four cross roads near Torringwood Place.
He looked up at the windows of the house,
and not light was to be seen in them. All
seemed dark and deserted. A horrible fear
stole over him. What if Sir Ralph's plan
had been changed and Ellen had been forced
to wed him against her wi!l2 He beat his
hands against his breast to keep them from
growing numb, and to drive out the dreadful
suspicion. The quarter struck. He was
forced to walk his horses down the road to
keen warmth in them. The half hour-still
no sign Of the approach of the fugitives. The
suspense was becoming unbearable. Jack
cursed his folly for stalking his happiness
mon a chance that he could not control.
Three Quarters. Jack would surely have
done something desperate if at that moment
he had not heard gate creak on its hinges,
and seen two muffled figures coming towards
him.
s.Confound the ruffian y growled Jack
through his set teeth, and clutchiug his whip
very tightly; for he saw that Sir Ralph had
his arm round the waist of the lady. But he
controlled his rage, sprang from his saddle,
and opened the coach door, touching his cap
very respectfully.
"Post-boy y he heard Ellen murmur; and
he replied in loud voice:
my LADY,
For he guessed that the poor girl was fright
ened, and wished to be sure that it was really
her Jack who was driving.
ssThank Heaveni' she murmsred, and then
she entered the coach, and Sir Ralph
followed.
just as Jack was about to remount, he
stopped, and came to the door of the coach
again.
ssAre my Lord pistols loaded r he asked.
SAY, my lad. said Sir Ralph, "bOt pray
we shall not have to use them.
.sYou had best let me look TO the printing,
my Lord, Jack continued. ''We drive
through dangerous country.
Sir Ralph handed him the weapons Jack
took them to one Of the lamps, under preience
of examining the primings Then he stopped,
plucked handful Of Undiscovered grass,
rubbed il into the touch holes, and returned
the pistols to their owner.
III might have cost one Of them life, be
thought, as the horses Gathered along the
hard road, ''if bad forgotten that preean.
ton. .
On and on Jack drove, through the cold
and cherries night, urging his horses 20 as
great speed as be dared over the slippery
road. There we're yet two hours that must
pass before his friends would relieve him
from the presence Of Sir Ralph, who was
usutping his rights 50 scandalously; bus Jack
cheered himself with the thought that after
wards bis beloved would be his for ever,
without fear Of hindranee or capture. The
night grew colder aud colder. The rack
Of clouds to the eastward drove up in heavy
masses, obscuring the stars. Then snow be.
ran to fall, q few scattered fakes at first, but
afterwards faster and faster, driving in eddy
ing wreaths, until Jack could see nothing but
lis dull grey STROUD around him. He brought
his horses to q walk, for the snow made tTot-
ting dangerous, and he strained his eyes
peering into the snow mist to catch glimpse
Of the friendly highwaymen. At last be
heard the mufEied pad Of hoofs, and through
the gloom be deserted two phantom horsemen
approaching. 1T Is Tom and Ned, ! be said
10 himself '.They we're always desperate
riders.
island and deliver r cried the foremost
horseman. Jack pulled up bis team, drew
pistol, and fred
Crack went another pistol and Jack
heard bullet whistle past him.
''Heyi look out what you're doing, boys
be shonted ..Your pistols are loaded With
bullets
Like enough they are, young wh'pasr
- ...1 . a4-a,ss.r ,s.,se.s 80 HAS IL
him. Move another finger and this one sill
be fred to better purpose.
Jack saw the CLEAN Of a pistol barrel close
to his ear, and behind it a stern bearded face
that was strange 10 him. From the coach be
heard two clicks, then an oath from Sir Ralph
Cherbury, as he flung his useless pistols mo
the snow.
.sConfound my prudence = thought ptior
Jack. IF | had not been 80 careful, Sir
RaIph's pistols might have saved Us from this
scrapel'' He dared not move, for be felt
sure that the ruffian at his side would make
no scruple to blow bis brains ont fsueh a
course seemed advisable.
The second highwaymaa dismounted, and
opened the door Of the coach
Since your honor is so valiant, il would be
well to look to your primings when next you
ride abroad, = he said, griuning at the unfor-
tunate Barouet Towards those who sabmit
to pay toll to US peaceably, we use the courtesy
Of gentlemen; TO those who show fight we
measure out stern punishment. Hand over
your watch and your purse.
Ellen Tresidder had hitherto borne the
fright Of this sudden attack with wonderful
eaImness, for she fancied that il was nothing
else than Jacks friends coming TO the rescue.
But when she saw the grim stranger greedily
intent upon robbery. and when, after empty
ing Sir Ralph's pockets, he turned his eyes
towards her, with leer Of coarse admiration,
and cried, ''Begad pretty wench tool a
great terror took hold Of her heart She
tried to call out for help, but fear kept her
tongue tied She could only watch, in
speeches horror, the movements of the viii
Iains. She saw them withdraw to the side Of
the road, and consult IN low whispers. Then
they chuckled together, and the man who had
riaed Sir Ralph came up to the coach door
again.
'sNow, then, jump out, old gentleman" he
said; ssyou have journeyed far enough for one
night. The lady is food for your betters, and