Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-05-29

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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. "Be quick!" said in whisper.
"Where is your horse?"
He paused a moment II saw the
CLEAN of a bracelet" he said. 81 must
relieve you of that also''
Again 1 obeyed him, but the fear that
others would come while he still stopped
fooling became more urgent. 81 IN
ready" whispered so eagerly that |
wonder my uncle did not hear. "Why
do you waltz
Again there was pause He ap-
peared a little Disconnected. And l
think you are wearing ring, he went
on.
took the ring from my finger. AS l
gave it to him clutched his hand, Sc
cure in the protecting darkness Take
mep' said "Take MEL
Again he was silent for moment
When he spoke, it was i'll curiously
altered voice and with little delighted
laugh.
ssDost mean it, sweet?' he cried
"Come, thenp'
gave scream of alarm-a portion
of the play we had arranged together
as he caught me round the waist and
landed me upon his horse. A moment
later was clinging to him for dear life
as we dashed headlong into the black
night and went forward across the
moorland I heard him chuckle as my
uncle roared his indignation after us.
We rode on and on through the dark
ness At first my excitement was so
great as to render thought impossible.
Moreover, the riding was Of the rough
est, and I had all could Go to keep my
seat But gradually, as began to grow
more accustomed to my situation, was
overtaken with most dreadful misgiv-
ing. 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, it was
just of piece with his natural love of
mischief But now began to feel GER
tain that some impostor had taken his
part; that 1 had eloped with another
man-and he a common highwayman.
Imagine my distress! could conceive
of no method of extricating myself from
the position A sense of blank helpless
ness came over me, and I could do no
more than cling tightly to the highway
man 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 a
pretty adventure! Heaven knows that
I had always passion for tie unusual,
or I should be still a humble usher in
Brancaster academy. But, tell me, what
am to do with you?''
suppose had hoped against hope
To find my fears were justified was a
disastrous blow to me, nor could make
any answer.
"I would not wish Drawer sweet
heart" he continued, speaking with an
odd and attractive perplexity. "But
what have we gentlemen of the road to
do with wives? Why, sweetheart, you
heard the promises of your guardian.
He will surely do his utmost to fulfill
them, and how should dare go to the
gallows if l knew that I left you wild
owed and alone? trust a score of maids
would weep 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 un-
gallant, yet I protest do not like my
share in this adventure. Kiss me, sweet,
and then fancy 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 Drawer sweetheartr'
And then, moved by the kindness Of
his words and his pleasant voice, I lost
command Of myself and burst into fool
ish weeping.
"Sir," said, 81 am altogether at
your mercy I have done that which
will shame me all the rest of my days.
But indeed I thought you were anoth-
er-my sweetheart, whom should have
married tomorrow.
I fancied he spoke less gayly than be-
fore Perhaps he had not hoped alto
gether that I would take his sage ad-
vice. "Ho, ho!" he cried, 'then my
good fortune is but another theft to my
account? 1 donot understand. You were
to have married your lover tomorrow,
and yet you entreat stranger, and a
highwayman at that, to carry you off !!
This is the maddest of adventures. -
"Sir!' said, "my uncle stands to
me in the place of father and mother "
The highwayman chuckled. "Poor
childl'' he said, and softly stroked my
hand, which, it seems, he had been
holding for some minutes. ''Poor
child''
"He would have me marry one whom
I do not love, and began to fear that
presently he would overcome me and
Compel
''Ths old hunks |" cried the highway
man. "You shall marry whom you
choose. Nay, I withdraw my foolish
wisdom. Come with me, and before the
hight is here again you shall be Mistress
Arthur Believe me" he added, with a
pretty conceit-'' believe me, there are
many who will envy you.
''But, SIR" interrupted, lyon for
get what have told you. Of late have
been closely guarded, for my uncle had
discovered that have given my love to
yeoman of the place Tonight there
was ball at the house Of Madam Ire
lawney, great lady, whose son was
destined by my uncle and by her to be
my husband, and it was arranged that
he should stop the coach Oh cur return
and carry me away with him. -
The highwayman laughed loudly
"And that is why you did not faint or
scream?'' he said. ct fell in love with
you because of that, and that is why l
was so fattered at your suggestion OF
an elopement. But-what will the real
lover do? Will he stop the coach sec
ond time and find the bird flown?
warrant he will play the part execrably.
| I should hardly be surprised to hear he
| had let himself be captured.
Icould not endure his jesting. "Sir, -
I said, 81 am in your hands, and it is
small wonder you find my plight only