Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-20


Two Mounted Messengers.
knows the way WELL Weymouth has an
English tongue in his head, but with so
much gold to carry man is sometimes
glad to take short cut or different turn.
especially in these days where there Is so
much tramping and thievery. You never
know whom you fall in with on the road.
1 must say never liked the looks of Rog-
ers-"
The squire turned quickly from the win
dow where he stood with hands deep in
his pockets, looking out in the street. and
saw Rogers himself. who had come. soft
footed as cat from the outer room to
squire stared at him angrily.
II knocked. SIR said Rogers. deferen-
TALLY.
II should hope So" answered the squire
with GOODNESS. But the clerk seemed to
take no offepse. and departed on tiptoe
after handing some checks to his chief.
The old man flushed little and was dis
turbed. Rogers was his daily companion
and made himself quite indispensable. To
the squire he was only a subordinate. and
apt to be presuming and curious.
II don't like him. in spite of all you say"
the squire grumbled to the senior partner
q moment after the door was softly closed
well, perhaps not as a companion"
agreed the old gentleman with a smile
II thought he looked crafty and sneakish
myself at first sight, but he has been per-
eight years now. and 1 long ago gave up
suspectirg Rogers. He is curious, perhaps.
but harmless. harmless"
He'll wait forever for his chance. but
he'll take 1t when he gets it," said the
squire. THAT Is. IL I know anything Of
human nature. / wish We had our money
all In notes instead of SO much gold. but
we cannot risk the chance of our changing
the notes in Bristol before the Mary and
Bell sets sail. And my man Weymouth can
hold his own. I'll warrant him. 1 hope
he'll be prompt about starting. He as
much as told me that 1t was not all bust
Eess that keeps him here: he is paying
attention to n young woman whom he
hopes to marry. But he's q man of his
word. IT'S a good bit of work for him
and money easily earned as you may say,
since he was going to Bristol day later,
at any rate"
The squire took his riding stick and
gloves from the table and babe his old
friend good morning. They shook hands
heartily and had a cheerful word or two
about their business and its probable sue
cess.
See that they start at o'clock Sunday
morning. or even earlier" the younger
man turned back to say. THE roads are
heavy already with so much rain. and If
don't mistake the signs there's more COM
ing. They can't get to Bristol at best be-
fore night. 1 don't know what sort of
mount Rogers will get. He'll soon worry a
good horse out of his wits. should think.
ing early"
Hell wait tide for his money" said
the senior partner with assurance, tapping
the arm of his chair. Hes prompt man,
Is Henderson. and an excellent shipmaster,
but eighteen hundred pounds Is a good
sum to miss; his luck depends on getting it.
you know. Still. I'll tell Rogers. Take a
glass of Madeira before you go; will you
Join me. sir. It's toward noon"
As night was falling two mounted mes
10
stirrup. We're riding YEARLY along a deep
worn country lane. They were in the
north part of the county of Somerset, near
the waters of the Severn. The lane itself
deserted enough that night, was a great
thoroughfare for those who came from the
south and west to cross over into Wales.
By this immemoral stream of travel and
the wearing of the weather it had been
worn like a swift streams channel deep
below the level of the country One of the
riders kept glancing fearfully at the bushy
banks above him, as if he expected to see
head in the thickct peering down. The
other man rode straight and stern In his
saddle. and took no notice of anything but
his horse and the slippery road
AS they came riding northward side by
side. to the top of little hill, Rogers, who
wore strangely pale and craven look
gave sigh of relief. and his horse, which
Hmped and bore the marks of having been
on his knees. whinnied as if in sympathy
The wide. gray Severn spread before them;
the high headlands Sloped gently away on
the right, and fell off like a cliff on the
left; below the land was edged by long
line of dyke which fenced the sea from
marsh and meadows that stretched away
from the coast. Over the wide water drift
ed low clouds of fog and rain and in the
southwest a duh red CLEAN of fading win
ter sunset lightened but little the cold and
stormy color of the sky. High above the
Severn, at the roads end stood a sroup of
low buildings perched on the headland to-
gether. like a convent or a place of mil
itary defense.
As the travellers rode into the ward of
the old Black Eagle inn in the twilight, the
Inn itself and all its stables and outhouses
seemed deserted. There was a bare and
empty look everywhere. The sunset lust
struck last whip of rain at the two tired
men. and Weymouth called impatientIy ia
the hostler. and then got stiffly to the
ground and stamped his feet and stretched
himself as he stood holding his horses
Birdie. The creature dropped his head low
and steamed in the cool air
There We're two windows in the inn it
SELF dimly lighted, as If by freight and In
another window in the landward corner a
candle f1ickered family. The whole place
seemed dali and unfriendly with its stony
walls and roofs. Rogers grumbled with a
plaintiye whine, his companion shouted
again with strong. honest voice, and
presently stable door was flung open and
two men came out. inside the light of an
early lantern beamed comfortably, and the.
horses turned their heads that way as IL
eager for their supper and warm bedding
There was no sound from within of stamp
ing hoofs or cry of crowded and biting
horses. The business was evidently at low
est ebb.
Grub them down well and give them
good feed as soon as you dare; full oats