The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-06-29
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TWO HIGHW AYMEN.

forward to it with absolute dread, for | was
well aware of the plan which my uncle and
Madam Trelawney had devised between
them. had already recognized that tt,
lady's son was charming in his boysl
frankness, but | had seen from the first
that it was intended he should propose to
me before the night was ended-this night
OF all nights in the year!-and | was re
solved on my part that he should do moth
ing of the sort.
Truly he was gallant boy can fancy
for an old woman may surely tell her
grandchildren she once was beautiful-that
we made pretty couple as we danced
together ! know flat madam treated me
with quite unusual consideration, and once
caugh her watching us with an altogether
delightful air of satisfaction. Frank, too,
did his dutiful best to offer me such attcn
tons as are proper in IA lover, and though
was resolved to thwart his mother and to
keep him from counting rejection, could
not hut enjoy the little play in which | was
acting. pictured the surprise Of all the
good folks who were now watching me when
the news of the morrow should reach them
And though lon-ed for the end Of the
ball and the more serious adventure which
was destined to follow, l found the situa-
ton vastly amusing.
Perhaps it was this fact which chiefly
helped me to keep Frank at a distance.
'You are always laughing at a man, . he
said reproachfully during an interval be-
tween two dances, and upon my soul | was
hard put to find an answer. | could
scarcely say that for him had only pity.
and vet this would have been the truth,
even though | was well aware that his dis
appointment would be only for a week or
two.
At any rate, when the hour of our de
parture had come, his devotion was still
undecared, and madam looked upon me IA
shade less kindly, thought, when | went
to take farewell OF her. But, in truth, !
was by this time too completely overcome
by excitement to notice little details in the
compartment of these people. They vert
all conspirators against my happiness and
Dicks | knew they would be check
mated within the hour, and already | could
have laughed in their faces.
My uncle was great gamester and never
he had gained large sum at cards. But,
for all that, | fancy lie had taken goodly
quantity of liquor during the evening.
noticed that his voice was little thick
No sooner were we seated in his coach than
he lay back III corner and slept peace
fully; soon he was snoring.
l was thus left alone. Indeed | could
MT have talked with him had it been othel
wise. vet | now wished were compelled to
trv. for the excitement | was in came neal
to being uncomfortable. | could see nothing
through the windows of the coach nothing
but the dim reflection of my own pale face
against background of utter darkness.
Had been able to take note Of the land
marks as we passed them | might have
been calmer. As it was, we had hardly
been gone from the house five minutes
when began and continued to feel pas
sionatelv sure that the very next moment
would be productive of the event to which |
looked toward so eagerly,
The drive appeared interminable. | be.
gan to think that Dick must have come
early and grown tired of waiting, and |
knew that if he did not keep tryst my heart
would simply break. And then frighten-
ing me despite my eager anticipation of it,
came the first sign.
| saw sudden blackness move past the
window A pistol cracked, and as the
carriage ceased to move | heard man S
voice speaking sternly to the coachman and
his companion on the box. 1t struck me
the sternness was singularly we'll acted for
the coachman had been in the plot from
the first. He happened to have fancy for
my maid, Genefer, and Dicks bride was a
supertluity once she had undertaken to
make sure OF him.
Ny uncle stirred in his corner, mutter-
ing incohcrently but he was still more
than half asleep when the door of the coach
was opened, and IA tall, graceful figure
how well | knew it, having met him fire.
quently at dusk on the edge of the old
plantation!-stoo dimly outlined against
the darkness. The newcomer was masked
and put pistol to my uncle's head.
'YOu ride late sir" he said. And
wondered at the skill with which he dis
gused his voice 81 presume you carry
firearms and must ask that you will trust
them to my keeping"
can hardly report my uncle's words
Indeed they were not coherent, so great
was his Indignation, but he gave up his
pistols, and the highwaymen straightway
flung them far into the darkness.
''Your purse" he continued politely.
Then, when he had received this also:-
.''Sir Richard Courtney's luck at the cards
had passed into a proverb. Tell your
friends, sir that you have given their |. o.
L.. to one who will never ask for payment,
for have no doubt | shall find them here -