Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-30

Ninceut ASKED, turning 10 musoeiouiSH'
"Oh, yes, certainly. The fixed service
II o'clock-so there's no hurry, whatever
you decide on"
For he, too, seemed rather taken with this
audacious project; said he thought 1t would
be good fun; pleasant company, and all
that; also he darkly hinted-perhaps Tor the
benefit of the American young ladles-that
Paris had been altogether too pallld OF late,
and wanted little crimson added TO It's
complexion. And, indeed, as the little ban
quet proceeded, these intrepid schemes
widened out, in half-jocular way. Why
should the runaway party stop at Paris!
Why should they not all go on to the Medlter-
ranean together, to breathe the sweet airs
blown in from the sea, and watch the spring
emptying her lavish lap-ful of flowers over
the land? Alas! it fell to Vincents lot to de-
molish these fairy-like dreams. He said ne
would willingly wait to see the recruited
party off by that nights steamer, and would
send any kilograms for them or deliver any
messages, but he had to return to London
the next morning without fall. AND tnen
Miss Louie Drexel said it was pity to spoil
a pleasant evening by talking OF impossI-
bilities, and that they had already SUI
fciently outraged convontionalities by run
ming away with a carriage and pair and
breaking in upon bridal tour. So the COM
PLEASANT young bride had fer the moment to
abandon her half-serious, half-whimsical
designs, and, perhaps, she even hoped that
Miss Drexel had not overheard her sug-
gested comparison between the British EN-
bassy at Paris and Gretna Green.
At 9 o'clock the carriage came round, and
at o'clock the younger people, having got
their goodbys said all over again, set out
for home.
81 suppose we ought to keep this little
expedition a secret" said Vincent, as they
were climbing up from the dusky valley to
the moonlight above, which was now very
clear and white.
"Why?" said Miss Louie
Rather unusual-isn't it?" he asked,
doubtfully, for he knew little of such mat
ters.
"That's what made it so NICE" she an
swered, promptly, Don't you think they
were charmed? Fancy their being quite
alone in that big hotel waiting for steamerl
We had it all planned out days ago. Didn't
you suspect in the least-when you knew
they were going by Newhaven and Dieppe,
and that they would have to wait till IL to-
night? I'm sure they would have been de-
lighted if we had gone over to Paris with
them, and down to the Mediterranean; but l
suppose that would have been a little too
much-just little too muchp'
And if Miss Drexel was vivacious and
talkative on her way out, she was equally
SO on the way back; so that Vincent in such
cheerful company, had little reason to re-
gret their having captured and run away
with him. Then again the night was sur
passingly beautiful-the moonlight gray on
the land and white on the sea; the heavens
cloudless; the world everywhere apparently
silent and asleep. Not that they were
| to get all the way home without little bit
of an adventure, however. When they
reached the top of the height Just west of
Nottingham, Louie Drexel proposed that
they should get out and walk along the
cliff for while, leaving the carriage to go
slowly on by road. This they accordingly
did; and very soon the carriage was out of
| sight: for at this point the highway is
formed by deep cutting in the chalk. 1t
was pleasant to be BY themselves on such a
night-high up on this lofty cliff, overlook
ing the wide, flr-shlmmering, silver sea.
Presently there came Into the stiffness a
sound Of distant voices; and shortly after
ward, at the crest of the hill, band of
strayed revelers appeared in sight, swaying
much in their walk, and singing diverse
choruses with energy rather than with skill
They were in high good humor, all of them.
AS they drew near, Vincent perceived that
one of them was a soldier; and he seemed
the center of attraction; this one and that
clung to his arm, until their legs, becoming
involved. carried them wide away, when
two other members of the group would
occupy the twin places of honor. The
soldier was drunk, too; but he had the
honor of the flag to maintain; and he made
some heroic effort to march straight
Now what with their insensate bowling
and staggering they were almost on Vincent
and his two companions before they were
aware; but instantly there was profusion
of offers of hospitality. The gentleman
must drink with them at Royal Oak. The
! gentleman declined to drink and civilly
bade them good night. AT the same moment
another member of the jovial crew appeared
to have discovered that there were also two
young ladies here; most probably he had
a dim suspicion there might only be one;
however, it was this one, the one nearest,
he insisted should also go down and have a
| glass at the Royal Oak. 1t was all
| done in good fellowship, with no harm
meant; but when at the same time this par
ticular rovsterer declared he would have his
sweetheart come along O. him and caught
Miss Louie by the arm he had distinctly
overstepped the bounds of prudence.
Hands OFF, said Vincent, and he slung
the fellow clip on the ear that sent him
staggering until his legs got mixed up some
how. and away he went headlong on the
grass.
Then he said in a rapid undertone to the
two girls
"Off you go to the carriage-quicki"
He turned to the now murmuring group.
"What do you want?' he said. 81 can't
fight all of you; I'll fight the soldier-make
a ring, to see fair play"
He glanced over his shoulder; the two
girls had disappeared; he breathed freely.
"But, look here" ne said in most AMIGA
BILE tone, you've had glass-anyone can
see that-and it's no use a man trying to
fight if he's bit unsteady on his pins; YOU
know that quite we'll And don't want to
fight any of you. Ii you ask me in friendly
way, I'll go down to the Royal Oak and
have something with you; or I'll treat you,
if you like that better. 1 call that fair"
And they seemed to think it fair, too so
they picked up their companion (who looked
drowsy) and helped him along. But they
hadn't gone half dozen yards when two
dark figures appeared at the top of the chalk
cutting; and these, when they came quickly
up, Vincent to his surprise discovered to be
the coachman and footman.
"Where are the young ladies?" he de-
mapded, instantly and angrily.
"Miss Drexel is on the box, sr-she sent
us to you," said the coachman-staring with
amazement at the jewellers, and no doubt
wondering when the fighting was about to
begin.
"Oh, go away backr' said he. "Get the
ladies into the carriage and drive them
these good fellows-I'll follow on FOOT
"1'm quite sure, sir, Miss Drexel won't
60" said the coachman.
But here the soldier stepped forward. He
had arrived at some nebulous perception of
the predicament; and he constituted HIM