Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-04-10
I had already recog-

ing in his boyish frankness, but l 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 land [ was re-
solved on my part that he should dc
nothing of the sort.
At any rate, when the hour of our
departure had come, this devotion was
still undeclared, and Madam looked
upon me shade less likely, I thought,
when went to take farewell of her.
But, in truth, 1 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.
began to think that Dick must have
come early and grown tired Of wait
ing, and knew thatif 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 q sudden blackness move
past the window. A pistol cracked,
and as the carriage ceased to move ]
heard mans voice speaking sternly
to the coachman and his companion
on the box 1t struck me the stern
ness was singularly we'll acted; for
the coachman had been in the plot
from the first. He happened to have
q fancy for my maid. Genefer, and
Dicks br1be was o 'iperauity once
she had undertaken to make sure oi
him.
Ny uncle stirred in his corner, nut.
tering incoherently, but he was 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 e6ge of the old plantation) stood
dimly 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 mis- voice. 81 presume you
carry firearms, and must ask that you
will trust them to my keeping"
I 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 ut
the cards hns passed into proverb.
Tell your friends, sir. that you have
given their I. o. US to one who will
never ask for payment; for I have no
doubt I shall find them here"
He put the purse into his pocket.
"There is a diamond ring, too," he
said, "and q watch. And these
things he also received and pocketed.
All this time my uncle had been
cursing him for n thief, and swearing
lie would see him hanged within q
month upon the highest point OF the
moorland. As 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 LIE discovered
how prettily he had been deceived; it
was possible he might be carried by
his resentment so tar as to make it
appear that this mock robbery was
real and So bring Dick to serious tron-
ble. 1t was with great relief saw
that it was ended.
Tho highwayman spoke again. "You
have lady in your company" he
said. 81 must trouble her"
"Scoundrel I" said my uncle, ansrier
than he had been at all. ''Do you
rob helpless women, also? On, but
you shall hang high!"
"'Beauty, quoted the highway
man-"and J. am sure the lady is
beautiful-B Beauty unadorned is best
adorned. 1 must ask the lady to step
from her carriage moment and give
me the iewelry of which she surely
has no need"
My uncle would have hindered me,
but 1 was passed him in a moment and
stepped out of the carriage.
''Your necklet," said the highway
man, holding forth his hand.
took the pearls from my neck and
pressed his hand in passing them to
him." "Re quick k' l said in q whis-
per. "Where is your horse?"
He paused moment. 81 saw the
CLEAN of bracelet" he said. 81
must relieve you of that also.
Again I obeyed him, Eut the fear
that others would come while he still
stopped fooling became more urgent.
'tI'm ready" whispered, SO eagerly
that 1 wonder my uncle did not hear.
"Why do you wait?'
Again there was pause. He ap-
peared little discoucerted.
"And I think you are wearing
ring" he went on.
I took the ring from my finger. AS
I gave it to him clutched his hand,
secure in the protecting darkness.
Take me ~ said. ''Take me! !"
Again he was sileut for moment.
When lie spoke it was in q curiously
altered voice, nnd with little de
lighted laugh.
"Dost mean it, sweet:" he cried.
"Come, then !"
I gave scream of alarm IA portion
of the play we had arranged togethcr)
as he caught me round the waist and
landed me on his horse. A moment
later was clinginS to him for dear
life, rs we dashed hendloug into the