Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-04

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quickly. and you shall have the money twice
over tomorrow"
Not above a half hour thereafter wadleigh
| found himself Gathering over the cobble pave
meht OF broadway toward the country. Al
though the day had been fair and clear. the sky
had become overcast since the evening. 1t was
very dark. and chill damp breeze was rising:
but he, well wrapped in the folds of his cloak
anu having for the present only to follow the
straight street before him. paid no heed 10 his
surroundings. but set himself to think over the
task which he had undertaken.
III thelr every relation Barton had been his
own loyal friend and supporter, ever showing
himself gentlemans son even in his widest
IoutnIul pranks. and scorning mean dis
honest act. What. then. had come to him to-
night? and what had come to Mildred. to so
far forget the dignified reserve which had ever
been her own? And what had come to Nollie,
aoie TO take upon her chilish self that dignity
winch Mildred had forgotten. and to display
herolsm dazzling to remember? And then.
great heaven J what had come to ham Wadleigh
who with no single past grudge must hound
TINS dearest friend perhaps TO his death? His
HE position.
Hes no scoundrel; I'll swear it." he NUT
tered, urging on his horse. But he shall not
lnlure her people so-he shall not" Yet he
knew that his was desperate errand, and
hurried on.
He was leaving the city now. and the road
was no longer paved. At the gates of some of
the residences lanterns were hung showing
that the people living there were still abroad
but save for these occasional glimmers all was
darkness. Even where the streets branched he
did not tarry to make choice. but turned across
INTO Bowery Lane, and so straight out on to the
high-road.
At length. after further half-hour of hard
riding, ne refined in his horse. There was a
house without Enclosure little way in advance
IL lU - %
to indicate, he might hear news: at least he
| would inquire. Bat as he rode up the short
approach he saw with increased excitement
that there was coach standing before the
door, and. without drawing nearer. turned
across the turf toward the side veranda. where.
after transferring the pistols from their hols-
ters 10 his pockets, he dismounted and threw
the bride OF his horse about a slender tree.
Then, with final summoning of ell his tact
and GOODNESS, he moved past the heavily cur
tanned side windows toward the corner of the
house.
Cloakedas he was and in the shadow, he
could see with slight danger of being seen. The
coach which stood before the broad door-stone
was ready for departure and even as WadlcGh
paused a man mounted its drivers seat. while
| from the house second figure of heavy build
and without coat-evidenty the innkeeper-
! appeared, and spoke with him. Wadleigh
would have given his right hand to be able to
| near their words, but small dog which had
| followed the stout man ran barking up and
( down. aware of the stranger in the shadow, yet
| afraid to approach him.
In the same breath Wadleigh was cursing the
| animals noise and blessing its fears. when in
the hight OF the doorway third man appeared.
| cloaked like any traveller. and bearing a heavy
wrap upon his arm. As he turned his face up
! ward toward the driver the light fell full be-
hind the profile. Wadleigh knew it. 1t was
! Barton's
At the sight of his friend. strong and deter
mined as he knew him to be, Wadleigh felt his
| own disadvantage almost with despair. He
had come too late to gain the landlords ear.
| even If his promises and penniless condition
could have prevailed over the ready money of
J the other side: he could not shoot his friend
| from ambush: there was nothing for it but to
| present himself when the last minute should
arrive and obtain hearing or die.
After word or two with the men at the door
| Barton turned again within. and presently re-
| appeared. with slow steps. l,ading a lady.
whom he carefully placed within the coach.
| after which he once more entered the house,
| followed by the landlord.
| Like flash Wadeighs resolve was taken. Ii
| was a race between himself and Barton now.
| He strobe along the veranda, looking neither
| TO the right nor to the left. and boldly closed
| the carriage door. Then he thrust pistol in
| the face of the astounded coachman and
pulled himself OH to the floor of the box seat
Drive to the city" he said. holding the pis-
| tots muzzle to the mans head. Drive. YOU
wretch, or I'll fire.
| The guests at the ball were beginning Ia
| take their departure, following the example OF
their President, who had been among the first
TO leave. Twice Mrs. Hobart had reminded her
| younger nece of the lateness of the hour. and
| urged upon her the necessity of saving fare
well TO her partners, but twice Molie had
| begged short reprleve. To her relief. Mrs
| Hobart had not noticed Midred's absence
Seeing one of her charges always near, she ap-
| parently failed to remember that 1t was ALWAYS
| the same one and time rushed by in the ex.
| citement OF gossips and the dance until the
hour OF midnight was long gone by.
With ever fainter hope Mollie's tired ewes
sought among the guests who yet remained fol
! the appearance of her returning knight Col
! Grinell, who imagined that he knew hel
trouble. had through the past hours been
generosity itself in his efforts to spare her the
annoyance of observing partners and relieve
| her from the constant necessity for exerton
| Suddenly. as he still stood beside her. she saw
her father hastily approaching. with troubled
! face and most determined air. The end had
come, then. From his decision there would be
no appeal.
Come. come, Molie. child" he said; .do
| you think of no one but yourself! Your sister
! is below, i'll with WEAKNESS. and YOU would
stay here dancing till the morning Colonel
GrineU. will you lead my daughter? l will
| speak TO her aunt"
After that Mollie knew nothing more until
| she felt the rush OF the damp night wind upon
| her face and heard John Wadleigh's voice muir
| murlng hasty words III her ear. She OPENED
| her eyes as they placed her in the carriage.
! That was Mildred's white dress which brushed
| her knee: Mildred's hand which she covered
! with her own: Mildred's shoulder against
which her head was leaning. She was too
weak and happy to care for anything beyond
| And to be wCaried out with pleasurinr,'
| laughed Mrs. Hobart. as they drove away
Young things like you, Oh. fe fie, Look at
| me, three times your age, and able, if need be-
| to have all over again. All. constitutions
aren't what they were, brother, when We were
young"
| But Mrs. Hobart's testing wonder gave place
| to kcenest anxiety upon the following day. For
| Mildred appeared i'll the morning so white and
| cold and silent that her father ordered her to
| her room again. and sent her a strengthening
| tonic. while Mollie, heavy-eyed and forlorn,
! would have neither rest nor tonic for herself.
! but sat by her sisters side. and thought and
| spoke only of her.
! Over the stairs and over them again Mrs.
! Hobart few with drops and cordals or anxious
| inquiry, while below i'll the drawing-room
| Judge Chester received visits from the two
| most persistent of the half-dozen callers who
| applied themselves to the distracted knocker
| for admttance.
| BY little and little the problem resolved it.
self Alright. John Wadleigh learned that he
| had gained the admiring confidence of the girl
! he loved, to an extent which nothing could
! shake; and her fathers ready sanction and the
| pleased congratulations of her aunt and sister
confirmed his happiness and hers.
| BY Johns advice Barton was for time al