Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-08-09

y
me by mine host of the Silver Flagon /
was conscious of really pleasurable
feeling of excitement such as / had often
told myself | should never feel again.
The yard presented quite lively scene,
passengers of all sorts and conditions
hurrying into their various coaches-for
the Silver Flagon is favorite coaching
rendezvous. The Barrackville coach
"The Lightning" by name-was being
rapidly got ready. 1t was one of Hol-
lands best make, and the shining dark
green panels and brass mounting were
receiving the last polishing at the hands
of the men. The travellers began to
gather. Rugs, coats and umbrellas were
slowed away, spare traces and straps, etc.,
looked to. Then the horses are led out
AS lively looking a team as any man
could wish to drive.
"Take your places, ladies and gentle
men, please" shouted the guard in stem
| torian tones.
l threw away the end of my cigar, but
toned my gloves, rammed my hat firmly
on, said word to the head hostler as to
the biting of the leaders, glanced com
prehensively over the quartet, then gath
cred up the reins and swung myself on to
the box.
The guard performed a fine fantasia on
the horn.
Give EN- their heads, William. Let
EN- gol" and with fine dash and CHATTER
we were off; up Waterloo place, Regent
street, by Regents Park, and so out to
the country beyond.
Until then had given no attention to
the lady who occupied the box seat. l
could see that she was dressed very neat
ly and quietly; no feathers or ribbons to
blow about and appear disheveled and
untidy. From the top of her jaunty lit
tie hat to her well fitting brown leather
gloves, all look thoroughly fit and work
manlike. imagined she must be we'll
TODD, for very neat Victoria had
brought her to the Silver Flagon, her
maid had an inside seat, and | heard the
man servant say he would be down in
Barrackville in time to meet the coach
on its arrival there. Since the day Lena
Vereker threw me over | had quite es-
chewed ladies' society, and l felt glad
enough that my horses gave me quite as
much as | knew to hold them.
Their exuberance of spirits, the outcome
of the Sunday rest, was delightful when
one had them properly together, and l
felt that if we were horsed for the coun-
tay stages in the same style should not
regret having taken up the role of stage
coachman. began to form plans for a
partnership with Phil Blake and extend
ing our operations further afeld when
my heart seemed to stand still, for
voice, whose well remembered tones |
could have sworn to anywhere, said:
II am so glad coachman, that we have
such lovely day for our drive"
1t was a simple sentence enough, but
the blood rushed up to my head, and |
don't know what should have done if
my attention had not been diverted by
the near leader shying violently at
gypsy van by the roadside, neeesitating
some slight punishment. What in the
world should | do, for of all embarrass-
ing positions - Here was l for the
few hours bound to sit beside the woman
whom l had once hoped tG marry, and
who was the wife of the man by whom
was ruined. l could not sit speeches
for six hours. / must say something oc-
casionally. Evidently she did not rec
ognize me, as how, indeed, should she,
after nearly ten years interval, and as
we had come together under such differ
ent circumstances Growing more &C
customed to the position when next she
spoke | was so far master of the situa-
ton that began to take an interest in
talking to her, and noticed with pleas
ure how little changed she was.
For the last stage my friends the
new chestnuts, were put on as leaders
Our route now lay close past dear old
st. Runwald's, aud sadness that / could
not shake off made me silent and indis-
posed for talking. What memories did
the sight of the well remembered scenes
recall2 There was the exact spot under
the scared elm where took my first fence
on my little hog-maned poney, and there
was the bend in the avenue where : last
saw my dear old uncle standing as he
waved his hand to me in farewell. I
wonder whether the man who owns it
now has made the old rose garden give
place tosa more modern style2 won
der
But here am recalled to what is going
on around me by the conversation of
some young fellows who have seats be-
hind me-
Jolly old place, St. Runwald's. Who
owns it nowl Dye know2'
''Not quite sure. Used to belong to
old Sir Peter Lauriston, and he left it to
his nephew, young fool in the Black
Dragons, who went the pace and lost
everything at cards"
~ remember" said another. "The
affair made rather noise, did it not7
For the winner took not only his house
and lands, but also succeeded to the af-
fcctions of his intended wife"
A roar of laughter followed these
words. dared not glance at the figure
beside me, but heard an intense whis-
per of "oh, it is not true! 1t is not
truei'
"Who was the lucky mani" asked the
first speaker.
"Sir Baxby Bracewell, said the elder
speaker, shut he paid the debt of nature
a couple or three years ago. 1t was said
that young Lauriston's losses would not
have been so heavy if Bracewell had
played more on the square.
The shuddering sigh from my neigh
Dor was more than I could stand.
II beg your pardon, gentlemen" l
said, turning round; II happen to know
all the circumstances of the case you are
discussing, Young Lauriston was an ut
terly conceited, vain, young fool, who
pitted himself against man of twice his
science, hard headedness and brains. He
continued playing, notwithstanding the
advice of those who knew, and the end
was obvious. There was no sharp prac-
tice in the matter, and moreover, de NOR
tus nil "
As l turned from speaking to them
encountered such a look of gratitude and