Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-07-09

lous that was more than half hysteric-
al, I broke into such peals of laughter
that the mountains echoed. l could
not help it. l laughed and laughed
till the tears ran down my cheeks, and
my escort at last joined me, while he
whispered something so fattering that
my poor Paul would have died out
right if he could have heard
Finally my highwayman placed me
in the coach again, with whispered
request for some Remembrance ring
or anything. As be had it in his power
to take rings and everything else, |
slipped off a turquoise and gave it to
him. He placed it on his third finger
above a diamond, and as the diamond
flashed, | saw tiny cross cut into Its
surface. Nothing else was taken from
me | was not even searched, and
with a courtly bow my knight of the
road and his companions vanished as
suddenly as they had come.
"One month later was almost worn
out with the entertainments furnished
by my sister in her efforts to make my
visit pleasant. There was to be one
more dance, probably the last, as We
were to start homeward the first of the
following week. Paul had been visit
ing relatives and had just returned in
time to take part.
"As the wagons drove up at the door
of the inn where the dance was to be
held heard a young lady, friend Of
my sisters, call out:
why, where has Mr. Meredith
gone? But l thought nothing about
it then.
"The dancing had been going on for
only short time when this young lady
came up to Inc and, with tones suggest
i've of vexation Or pique, said
Mr. Meredith wishes to be intro
duced to you.
Mr.. Meredith then asked me to
dance with him, and not once but many
times we danced together He was an
admirable dancer. Yet could hardly
hear what he said 50 perplexed was |,
wondering where could have heard
his voice before. But at length as he
extended his hand glanced down and
saw a small cross cut on the diamond
of his ring.
MY dears, almost tainted outright.
But to the end he acted the part Of a
gentleman. He led me to a window
and stood talking while he shielded
my agitation from the room now filled
with whirling couples.
Nothing was said for several min
utes In my foolish heart was trying
to think of some romantic reason that
would account for his mode Of life. His
face, from which the beard and mus
tache were gone, looked like that of
some boyish Sir Galahad, not like that
of criminal. His kindly brown eyes
shone on me with a world Of laughing
in them.
well, he said smilingly At the
same moment | caught sight of Paul in
the doorway talking to a man whom |
did not know and with earnest gestures
pointing to my partner. Paul, too, had
recognized him.
Though my heart was beating so
hard that l could not speak, Imotioned
to Mr.. Meredith to finish the dance,
and when we reached the side nearest
the opposite door l stopped.
bend down your head l whis-
pered family. Some one has recog-
nized you. saw them. You must
90. Ny voice trembled, am sure.
Must . he said slowly, still smil-
ing. Then he frowned But the smile
came back instantly as he glanced at
me as l stood pale and trembling Poor
little girl he said. so divided be-
tweena sense of duty and pity for
poor wretch like me Come bar
gain, child One more dance all
around the room and back here and |
will 90.
"'You ought to go now, | faltered.
"'Not until we finish this dance, he
said firmly.
He supported me almost entirely
as he whirled around the room, or |
believe that I should have slipped to
the floor.
Now, 60" l whispered in perfect
terror.
'GOodby = he said earnestly 1
shall never forget you. Think of me
as kindly as you can.
He had vanished in the darkness,
and none too soon. A few minutes
later the sheriff and two of his men ap-
,..o.oJ G,,1I,- = r,,o,J. buf Mr. MaradIfh