The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-15

boy was standing Mt their heads ana that
one OF the wheels was lying in the road
beside him. i can see them now, my
friends: The steaming creatures, the stunt.
ed lad with his hands to their bits, and the
big black coach, all shining with the
rain, and unbalanced upon its three
wheels. AS l looked, the window was
lowered, and pretty little face under
bonnet peeped out from it,
''What shall / do?" the lady cried TO the
postboy, in voice OF despair. "Sir Charles
is certainly lost, and shall have to spend
the night upon the moor.n
''Perhaps / can be'of some assistance to
you, madame, F" said j, scrambling out from
among the bushes into the glare of the
lamps. A woman in distress is n sacred
thing to me, and this one was beautiful.
You must not forget that, although / was
n colonel, was only eight-and.twenty
years OF age.
My word, how she screamed, and how
the postboy staredl You will understand
that, after the long race in the darkness,
with my busby. broken In, my face
smeared with dirt, and my uniform all
stained and torn with brambles, was
not entirely the sort of gentleman whom
one would choose to meet in the middle
OF lonely moor Still, after the first sur
prise, she soon understood that was her
very humble servant, and could oven read
in her pretty eyes that my manner and
bearing had not failed to produce its i'm
preston upon her.
"I am sorry to have startled You
madame" said I. "I CHANGED TO overRear
your remark, and could not refrain from
Offering you my assistance. " bowed as
spoke. You know my bow, and can
realize what its effect was upon the lady.
81 am much indebted to you, SIR" said
she I'VE have had terrible journey
since we left Tavistock. Finally one OF
our wheels came of, and here we are help
less in the middle OF a moor. My husband.
Sir Charles, has gone on TO get help, but
much fear that he must have los. his
way"
Twas about to attempt some consolation
when / saw beside the lady black
her companion must have left behind him.
1t was exactly what needed to conceal
my uniform. II is true that l felt very
much like a highway robber, but then,
what would you have done? Necessity
has no law, and l was in an enemy's
camp.
II presume madame, that this is your
husbands coat, F" / remarked. "You will.
/ am sure, forgive me, IL | am compelled
to"-I pulled it through the window as
/ spoke.
could not bear to see the look of sur
prise and fear and disgust which came
over her face.
"Oh, have been mistaken in you," she
cried. "You came to rob me then, and
not help me. You have the bearing OF a
gentleman, and yet you steal my hus-
bands coat
MADAME" said I, "I beg that you
will not condemn me until you know
Ii is quite necessary that /
should take this coat, but IL you will have
I he goodness TO tell me who it is who is
fortunate enough TO be your husband, | |
shall see that the coat is sent back TO
him."
Her face softened a little though she
still tried to look severe. "My husband"
she answered, sis Sir Charles Meredith, |
and he is travelling to Dartmoor prison |
upon important government. business. I |
only ask you, sir, TO 60 upon your Way
and take nothing which belongs to him. |
"There is only one thing which belongs |
TO him which / covet +" said /.
And you have taken II from the car
rage" she cried.
no" / answered. 1T still remains |
there"
She laughed in her frank English way. |
"lf, instead OF paying me compliments, |
YOU were TO return my husbands coatr--
She began.
Madame" answered, "what you ask |
Is quite impossible. II YOU will allow me |
10 come into the carriage, / will explain |
10 you how necessary this coat Is 90 me-"
Heaven knows into what foolishness I |
might have plunged myself we not heard |
, faint halo in the distance, which was
by a shout from the little post
boy. I'm the rain and the darkness I saw
4 lantern some distance from US, but APP
preaching rapidly.
. am sorry, madame, that am forced |
10 leave you,' said l. "You can assure
your husband that ] shall take every care
)f his coat" Hurried as I was, I ven
.ured TO pause n moment to salute the
ady's hand, which she snatched through |
he window with an admirable pretense
al hllIn nnnndnd M L.. j