The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-03-28

rZfIXL-1/ytNS' ltelhWnoy nau ue-
Hn//HS-3,p" vised between them.
, had already recog-
nized that the lady's son vas charm.
ing in his boyish frankness, but had
seen from the first that it was intend
ed he should propose to me before
the night was ended-this night OF all
nights in the year l-and i was re.
solved on my part that he should do
nothing OF the sort,
At any rate, when the hour OF our
departure had come, his devotion was
still undeclared, and Madam looked
upon me shade less likely.I thought,
when / went to take farewell of her.
But, in truth, l was by this time too
completely overcome by excitement to
notice little details in the comport-
ment of these people. They were all
conspirators against my happiness and
Dicks; know they would be check
mated within the hour, and already !
could have laughed in their faces.
The drive appeared interminable. l
began to think that Dick must have
come early aud grown tired of wait
ing, and knew that if he did not keep
tryst my heart would simply break.
And then, frightening me despite my
eager anticipation of it, came the first
sign.
'I saw sudden backness move
past the window. A pistol cracked,
aud rs the carriage ceased to move
heard a mans voice speaking sternly
to the coachman and his companion
on the box. 1t struck me the stern
ness was singularly well acted; for
The coachman had been in the plot
from the frs. He happened to have
"A fancy my msid, Gtnefer, and
Dicks bribe was n superAuity once
she had undertaken to make sure of
him.
My uncle stirred in his corner, NUT
tering incoherently, but he WIS still
more than half asleep when the door
.of the coach was opened and tall.
graceful figure (how well knew it,
having met him frequently at dusk on
the edge OF the old plantation) stood
dimIy outlined against the darkness.
The newcomer was masked, and put a
pistol to my uncle's head.
"You ride late, SIR" he said, and
wondered at the skill with which he
disguised his voice. 81 presume you
carry firearms, and must ask that you
will trust them to my keeping"
l can hardly report my uncle's
words. Indeed, they were not co.
herent, so great was his indignation,
But he gave up his pistols and the
highwayman straightway flung them
far into the darkness.
"Your purse" he continued polite
ly. Then. when he had received this
also: "Sir Richard Courtney's luck al
the cards hns passed into proverb.
Tell your friends, sir. that you have
given their /. o. Us to one who will
never ask for payment; for ! have no
doubt i shall find them here"
He put the purse into mis- pocket.
'There is a diamond ring, too" lie
said, "and watch" And these
things he also received and pocketed
All this time my uncle had been
cursing him for thief, aud swearing
he would see him hanged within a
month upon the highest point of the
moorland. Az for me / had enjoyed
the proceedings to begin with, but
now began to be afraid. PERHAPS
time was being wasted. There were
Others who must use this road in re.
turning from the ball, and there was
the risk OF their coming to the rescue
of my dear uncle and spoil the plans
on which so much depended. More
over, conceived that my uncle would
be hugely angry when he discovered
how prettily he had been deceived; il
was possible he might be carried by
his resentment so iar rs TO make il
appear that this mock robbery wa,
real and 50 bring Dick to serious trou
bile. 1t was with great relief saw
that it was ended.
The highwayman spoke again. "Yol
have q lady IN your company" h,
said. 81 must trouble her"
''Sooundrel" said my uncle. angrie,
than he had been at all. ''Do yor
rob helpless women, also? Oh, bu
you shall hang high"
Beauty" quoted the highway
man-''and / am sure the lady il
Beauty uuadorned is bes
adorned. i must ask the lady to stel
from her carriage a moment and Civ
me the jewelry of which she surel,
has no need"
My uncle would have hindered me
but 1 was passed him in a moment anC
stepped out of the carriage,
"Your neo'slet," SAID the highway
man, holding fo:5n as hand.
i took the pear.s i.om my neck an