The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-05-07

~ mi, viSed between them.
Z" had already recoc-
nlzed that the lldy's son vas charm.
ing In his bOyish frnukness, but had
seen from the first that it was intend
tu he should propose to me before
the night was cnded-this night of all
nights in the year 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 hll come, his devotion was
still undoclared, and Madam looked
upon me II shade less likely thought,
when | went to take farewell of her.
But, III truth, l was by this time too
completely overcome by excitement to
notice little details in the COMFORT
ment of these people. They were all
consplrntors against my happiness and
DICKS; ! know they would be check
mated within the hour, and already |
could hive laughed in their faces.
The drive appeared interminable. l
began to think that Dick must have
come early and grown tired of wait
ing, and l knew thatif he did not keen
tryst my heart would simply break.
And then, frightening me despite my
eager anticipation of it, came the first
sign.
''I saw sudden blnckness move
past the window. a pistol cracked,
and as the carriage ceasel to move /
heard 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 coachmau had been in the plot
from the first. He happened TO have
fancy for my maid, Gcnefer, and
DICKS brIbe was superhuitv once
she had undertaken to make sure of
him.
My uncle stirred in his corner, NUT
tering incohcrcutly, bat he was still
more than hnlf 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 eGGe 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 I
wondered at the skill with which he
disguised his voice. "I 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 CO.
herent, so great was his indignation.
But he gave up his pistols and the
hlghwayman strai9htway flung them
far into the darkness.
Your purse, ne continued polite
ly. Then, when he had received this
also: ".5;r Richard Courtncy's luck Mt
the cards has passed into n proyerb.
He'll your friends, sir. that you have
given their l. o. u. TO one who will
never ask for payment; for ! have no
doubt ] shall fin them here.
lie put the purse into mis- pocket.
There IS diamond ring, too" he
said, and watch. And these
things he also received aud pocketed
All this time my uncle he'd been
cursiug him for thief, and SWEARING
he would SEQ him hanged within "A
month upon the highest point Of the
mOOrlnnd. As for me / had enioved
the proceedings to begin with, but
now ! began 60 be afraid. PerhnIs
time was being wasted. There were
others who must use this road in re.
turning from the bull, aud there was
the risk OF their coming to the rescue
of my dear uncle mud spoil the plans
ON which so much depended. More
over, ] conceived that my uncle would
be hugely angry when he discovered
how prcttiIy he had been deceived. n
was possible he might be Carried by
m5 resentment 80 'nr rs 10 make IL