Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-05-02

ing III his boyish frantncss, but / had
seen from the first that it was intend
ed no should propose to mo before
tho night Was ended-this night of nil
nights i'll the year land 1 was ro-
solved on my part that no should do
nothing of tho sort
At any rate, when the hour of our
departure had come, his devotion was
still undeclarcd, and Madam looked
upon mo shade less likcly.I thought,
when went to tnko farewell of her.
But, in truth, 1 WIS by this timo too
completely overcome by excitement to
notice little details i'll the comport-
ment OF these people. They were all
conspirators against my happiness and
Dicks; l know they would DO check
mated within tho hour, and already
could have laughed in thoir faces
The drive appeared intcrminable. 1
began to think that Dick must have
como carly and grown tired of wait
ing, and know that if he did not keep
tryst my heart would simply break.
And then, frightening me despite my
eager anticipation CT it, came tho first
sign.
"I saw sudden blackncss move
pnst tho window. a pistol cracked,
md as the carriage ceased to move /
heard mans voice speaking stcrnly
to tho coachman and his companion.
on the box. II struck mo tho stern
ness WAS sinsularly well acted; for
tho conchman had been in tho plot
from the first. Ho happened to have
fancy for my maid, Genefcr, and
Dicks brlbc WAS superlluity once
she had undertaken to mako suro OF
him.
My unclc stirred in his corner, NUT
tcring ircohcrontly, but ho was still
more than half asleep when tho door
of tho conch was opened and tall,
graceful figure (how we'll 1 know it,
having met him frequently Mt dusk on
the edge of tho old plnntation) stood
dimiy outlined against tho darkness.
Tho newcomer was masked, and put q
pistol to my unclo's head.
you ride late, SIR" he said, and /
wondered at tho skill with which he
disguised his voice. 81 presume you
carry firearms, and must ask that YOU
Will trust them to my keeping"
can hardly report my unolo'a
words. Indeed, they wero not CO.
horent, so great wns his Indignation,
But he gavo up his pistols and tho
highwnymau strnightwny flung them
far into the darkness.
"Your purse, he continued polite
ly. Then, when he Ind received this
also: "'Sir Richard Courtney's luck at
the cards Inns passed into u provcrb.
Tell your friends, sir, that you have
given their I. o. US to one who will
never ask for payment; for have no
doubt shall find them here"
Ho put the purse into his pocket.
There Is diamond ring, too" ho
said, "and watch" And these
things he also received and pocketed.
All this time my -unclo had been
oursing him for thief, and swearing
he would SEQ him hanged within q
month upon tho highest point of the
moorland. AS for mo Ind enjoyed
tho proceedings to begin with, but
now began to be afraid. Perhaps
time was being wasted There were
others who must use this road in ro.
turning from tho ball. and there was
the risk OF their coming to tho rescue
of my dear uncle and spoil tho plans
on which SO much depended. More.
over, L conceived that my uncle would
be hugely angry when he discovered
how prettily he had been deceived; it
was possible no might DO carried by
his resentment so lar rs to make ii
appear that this mock robbery was
real and SO bring Dick to serious trou-
bic. 1t was with great relief 1 saw
that it was endod.
Tho highwayman spoke again. "You
have lady in your company" he
said. 81 must trouble her-"
"Scoundrel !" snid my uncle, angrie1
than mo had been at all. 'sDo you
rob helpless women, also? Oh, but
you shall hang highl"
Beauty" quoted tho highway.
man-"and I am sure tho lady il
beautiful Beauty unadorned is bes
adorned I must ask the lady to stey
from her carriage moment and Civ,
Inc tho jcwolry Of which she surely
has no need.
My uncle would have hindered me
but was passed him in moment ant
stepped out of the carriage.
"Your necklet," said the highway.
man, holding forth his hand.
l took the pearls from my neck and
pressed his hand in passing them tc
him." "Be quick |" l said in q whis
per. "Where is your horse9"
Ho paused moment. "I saw the
CLEAN of q bracelet" he said. g.
mus. relieve you of that Also"
Again 1 obeyed him, hut the fea
that others would come while he still
stopped fooling became moro urgent
"Im ready" whispered, SO eagerly
that l wonder my uncle did not hear
"Why do you wait?"a
Again there was pause. He mp
peared a little disconnected.
"And l think you arc wearing
ring" he went on