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

per. "Where is your horse?"
He paused moment. 81 saw the
CLEAN of n bracelet" he said. 81
must relieve you of that slso."
Again I obeyed him, tut the fear
tiat others would come while he still
stopped fooling became more urgent.
'Tm ready 1 whispered, so eagerly
that wonder my uncle did not hear.
"Why do you wait?"i
Again there was pause. He ap-
peared a little Disconnected.
"And / think you are wearing q
ring" he went on.
took the ring from my finger. As
I gave it to him I cutched his hand,
secure in the protecting darkness.
"Take me !" said. Take mel"
Again he was silent for o moment.
When he spoke it was in q curiously
altered voice, and with a little de-
lighted laugh.
"Dost mean it, sweet?" he cried.
"Come, them"
/ gave a scream OF alarm IA portion
of the play we had arranged together)
as he caught me round the waist and
landed me on his horse. A moment
later was clinging to him for dear
life, as We dashed headlong into the
black night aud went forward across
the moorland. I heard him chuckle,
as my uncle rosred his indignation
after us.
We rode on and on through the
darkness. At first my excitement was
30 great as to render thought impos-
sible moreover, the riding was of the
toughest, and had all could do to
keep my seat. Bnt gradually, rs |
began TO grow more accustomedto my
situation, I was overtaken with most
dreadful misgiving. The rider had
hitherto seemed like enough to Dick,
for l had known he would do his best
to change his voice; and as for his
foolish robbery. il was Just of piece
with his natural love of mischief.
But now Logan TO feel certain that
some impostor had taken his part; that
I had eloped with another man--and
him common highwayman. Imagine
my distress! l could conceive of no
method of eztricating myself from the
position; a sense of blank helplessness
came over me, and could do no more
than cling tightly to the highwayman
and await the event.
We had ridden some miles, when he
suddenly drew rein and dismounted,
landing me lightly beside him.
"Upon my SOUL" he said, "here is
q pretty adventure! Heaven knows
that had always passion for the
unusual, or / should still be humble
usher in Brancaster Academy. But,
tell me, what am to do with you?"
Isuppose 1 had hoped against hope ;
to find my fears were justified was a
disastrous blow to me, nor could l
make any answer.
81 would not wish Drawer sweet
heart" he continued, speaking with
IN odd and attractive perplexity.
"But what have we gentlemen of the
road to do with wives? Why, sweet
heart, you heard the promises Of your
lJusr0'aH, He will surely do his ut
most 70 l4lHll them, and how should
dare to go to the gallows il knew
that l left you widowed and alone?
trust score of maids woull weep a
little if poor Jack Arthur went the
common way, but God forbid that any
should remember him at a weeks end.
1t may seem that | am ungallant, yet
/ protest ] do not like my share IN
this ads Kiss me, sweet, and
then fancy l am old and very wise,
and take my counsel, which is that
you permit me to conduct you back
to some place near your home. And
yeti would not wish braver sweet
heart"
And then, moved By the kindness
OF his words Qnd his pleasant voice,
lost command of myself and bust forth
! into foolish weeping.
"5ir," ] said, al am altogether al
your mercy. l have done that which
} will shame me all the rest of my days.
Bat, indeed, | thought you were an
other, my sweetheart, whom l should
have married Tomorrow"
J fancied he spoke less gaily than
before; perhaps he had not hoped al
together that / would not take hi
|, sage advice. "Ho, ho!" he cried
"then my good fortune is but another
} theft to my account? l do not under
stand. Your were to have married
your lover tomorrow, and yet you en-
} treat a stranger, and a highwayman a
} that, to carry you off! This is thu
maddest of adventures"
/ "Sir." SAID, "my uncle stands to
, me in the place Of father and mother.
The highwayman chuckled. "Poo
} child !" he said, and softly stroked IN.
hand, which, it seems, he had beel
holding for some minutes. 'Poo
, childl"
; 'He would have mo marry on,
whom l do not love, aud began Il
fear that presently he would ovcrcom
} me and compel :"
) "The old hulks!" cried the high
= wayman. "You shall marry whom
you choose. Nay, l withdraw IN