Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-05-29
He broke off, and neeling placed his

ear to the ground. Then he arose, with
curious, excited laugh. ''The adven-
ture grows in interest,"" he said. Here
comes the honest yeoman, and in hot
shaste''
I listened eagerly and heard far off
the sound of horse galloping furiously
along the rough track, which was then
the only road across the great moorland.
l saw sudden movement on the part
of my companion and perceived that he
was lingering his pistols as he stood 81
lent in the darkness
''Not that p cried entreatingly.
"There will be need of an explana-
ton of some kind he said. ''Perhaps
you will undertake it. l confess I have
not a sufficient gift Of words, and 1 am
little inclined to doubt whether your
sweetheart will be in the mood for verbal
explanations. Doubtless, as gentleman
of the road, he will ride armed
The sound of the hoofs grew nearer.
He was silent now and listened most at
tentively to the approaching sound.
Presently the rider was quite near.
"Dick!' called. "Dick, all's well,
and I am in the company of friend of
yours and mine. -
A moment later he was upon US, and
sure enough he held a pistol in his hand.
He jumped from his horse in an instant
and caught me to him. But it was the
highwayman who spoke first.
''Sir," he said, 81 see by the pistol
you carry that you take very proper
view of the situation. And yet I believe
that everything may be explained. If
you will consult the LADY,
''Dick," I said, "this gentleman is a
friend. He took me with him, very
much against his will, because asked
that he would take me, and I did that
because thought that he was you. You
know our plan. He is''-
I paused. The highwayman laughed.
81 follow day by day the trade which it
pleased you to adopt for single night.
I anticipated you by few minutes.
We are both Of us tall men, and the lady
took the difference of voice and manner
for a clever disguise. I was engaged
about my ordinary business when she
appeared to suggest that I should elope
with her. / will confess my good luck
amazed me at first, but was quick to
embrace it, nor did discover how far
astray my conceit had led me until the
very moment of your approach. We were
endeavoring to devise method Of re-
storing the lady to her friends when you
appeared to solve our difficulty.
"You forget" said Dick doggedly-
''you forget the little matter of the
money and jewels you have stolen"
The highwayman started. econ
vey, the wise call it, he replied, with
some tartness. ''But the only course is
that I should surrender everything to
you, and then it should be clear to you
that am no less messenger Of Provi
dence to you and the lady-a god from
the machine. :"
Dick was silent, his arm about my
waist, his figure held ready for action.
tThe good uncle has been robbed of
goods and niece" !" went ON the highway
man easily. "You come upon him in
his distress, hear the tale and straight
way go in pursuit of the thief-the good
uncle called me thief and compel him
to disgorge. In truth, the least he can
do is to give you the lady in return for
his goods. For, though perhaps you do
not guess it, you have shown some BRAY
cry tonight. -
The thing was beautifully clear. 'In-
deed," cried, che shall do no less
Dick, we will go back, and I promise
you shall marry me when you will and
with his consent. Do you not see it?''
"He ought to do so, ''said Dick grudg-
ingly. 81 suppose we must thank you,
sir. :"
"Oh," said the highwayman lightly,
"there is no need Of thanks. Here are
the jewels and the purse. But first'-
he opened the purse and extracted some
scraps Of paper promised to iberate
certain poor debtors, and that promise I
must keep
He tore the papers into fragments and
leaped upon his horse
'Farewell!'' he cried and vanished
into the night. Nor did hear of him
again until he was hanged, two years
afterward, for most daring robbery.
At least there was one who wept at
the news of his death-and she happy
wife-H. D. Lowry in Strand Maga-
zine.