The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-12-09
STORY OF TWO JACKS

from that hospitable station-gentle-
men tourists and globe-trotters-and
each In his turn did homage to the
little Queenlander fairy who had never
known care or sorrow
This was until she had reached her
18th year. Then she began to grow
softer and more sympathetic to those
whom she had formerly sent away in
such detection. Jack Lefoy, her IA
theirs gentlemanly but reckless man
ager, she spoke gently to instead Of
with her former scorn of careless girl
hood.
BY and by her type Of hero came
along and, having been waiting for
him. she straightway fluttered to his
feet and began to invest him with all
the virtues of the heroes of romance
she had read about. The Hon. John
Brand was certainly noble-looking
man. Dark, pale cheeks, thoughtful
and exceedingly well-groomed, he was
exactly the kind of man, only an inch
shorter than Jack Lefoy, who stood
six feet two in his stockings.
The Hon. John Brand bore the repu-
tation Of mighty hunter. He had
brought to England trophies Of his
skill and prowess from India, Africa
and the Rocky mountains. He did not
boast about these deeds and, indeed,
was exceedingly hard to draw out.
1t was delicious spring morning
and the horses Of Ethel and her state
ly cavalier were bounding over the
grassy downs.
The Hon. John Brand rode easily
and gracefully, as he did everything,
and as Ethel watched him furtively she
felt satisfied, safe and happy. She
was taking him to stalagmitic cave in
sights of the district.
I'VE are almost at the gully where
the cave is, Mr.. Brand, and fifteen
miles from civilization"
"They have not seemed five, Miss
Ethel, but why don't you call me
Jack?"
II might call you John, but don't
think l could say Jack to you," an
swered Ethel, shyly.
well, John be it, dear Ethel. Do
you often come here?"
mo, John, nor would l now unless 1
was with brave man."
ooh! Why?"
Because the natives are still some
times troublesome in these parts"
/ Indeed" stammered the Hon. John,
growing shade paler, while his lower
lip trembled. "Is that why you told
me to bring my gun and revolver?"
"Yes," answered Ethel, noticing his
agitation and fastening to reassure
him. But don't be at all uneasy
about me. l feel perfectly safe with
you"
At this moment the most savage and
startling yells rose from every side of
them, while shower Of spears sped
from the unseen enemies and ratified
against the rocks behind.
"Merciful heavens!" shrieked the
Hon. John Brand, as he dropped on his
face and rolled instantly into the cave,
in an apparent paroxysm of mortal
agony, leaving poor Ethel outside.
She was brave girl and ready wit
ted. With her first sensation of spirit
anguish, for she believed her noble
lover had been mortally wounded, came
the heroic instinct to punish his muir
derers. Seeing that he had left his
Winchester and revolver behind him,
she at once secured these and darted
into the cave entrance and sheltered
herself behind a rock.
"Ah, my dear love- she murmured
passionately as she brought the repeat
ing rife to her fragile shoulder, and
took aim at the scrub that seemed
moving. Then she added prayerfhlly
as she poured bullet after bullet out
side: "Ah, God, spare his brave life. "
Mr. Brand-John-oh, dear, dear
! Jack, speak to me II you can"
What is that? Shots in the gully?
Aye-some one is coming to the res
cue, and shooting as he speeds near.
The gunpowder smoke drives into
the cave and at last leaves her vision
clear to what is occurring outside.
Here comes poor Jack Lefoy, emptying
his revolver to right and left, in heroic
style, with the reins in his glisteping
teeth and his blue eyes blazing.
"Ah, safe, little girl?" cried Jack,
loudly.
Il an but fear Jo-- Mr.. Brand
is killed"
Lets find out; the danger is past,
said Jack Lefoy, shortly, as he strikes
a match on his riding trousers and
holds it up.
The Hon. John Brand was discerned
in the act OF getting up. He had heard
the magical words, 1.-THE danger Is
past" and recovered his senses quick
ly. He was likewise unwounded.
"Oh!" cried Ethel in disgust. Take
me home, Jack Lefoy," saying which
| she swept out Of the cave with her IA
theirs manager, leaving the mighty lion
and tiger hunter to come after as best
he could.
The next day the Hon. John Brand
went forth with his valet to pastures
new.
Three months after this Ethel chang
ed her name from Woodyett to Lefoy
| Her Jack-the real Jack-was able to
satisfy Squatter Woodyett as to his fu-
ture prospects, his father being the
earl OF Mayblossom and himself the
eldest son.
He never told his wife, however
| even when she became Countess May.
blossom and would thus have forgiven
her lord for any trick for loves sweet
sake, that he had been at school with
the Hon. John Brand and, therefore
knew his peculiarities. Nor did he
tell her that the natives were friend.
ly tribe whom he had bribed to act this
little drama, SO that he might win hel
love.