The Lambertville record., 1899-03-08


-go--no further with you"
Come" he said, and frightened his
hold upon her arm until she cried out.
Sir" said 1. staring at the stained
cloth. did you ever know red wine to
have gray dregs before?"
He turned pale. and the girl cried out
again; she tried to free herself and
called in terror that she would not go.
lie clapped heavy hand over her
mouth.
Mr.. Noi thfeld, il that is your true
name" | said, you're rogue, and the
lady shall not stir STEP
+ He released her suddenly to confront
me, and in answer to signal she ran
round and stood trembling by my side
/ "You see, she puts herself under my
I protection" said /. 1T is not nice for
a gentleman to drug a lady's wine; in
/ deed. the law might have something to
! say"
by Cod" he cried, his face white
with passion. you shall pay for this.
i She's my wife"
4 lie loosened his sword; | glanced out
Of the window. and saw that my car
rlage was almost ready.
mo, no." cried the girl.
keep close to me-" | whispered to
/ her. and we moved toward the door.
But Mortified was there before us,
and stood with his back against it,
sword in hand. | drew, and, begging
my companion not to spoil the chances
of her escape by crying out, faced him
| with steadier nerves than | could have
given myself credit for.
stand aside! | cried.
Fool, do you want your lungs prick
ed?"
"rhey are a fair target-try, II 1t
pleases you" He made pass at me,
and in a wink we had engaged. | was
fair swordsman. but he was a bet
ter; |, however, had the advantage in
cooler nerves and the better position,
for so long as | could keep him to the
door he could not fall back. | was
fearful every second that the ring OF
steel would bring the servants about
us, and therefore, at great risk. | tried
to end the matter quickly.
NV chance came-he oyerreached
himself, my point entered his breast
Just below the neck, and he fell for
ward, swooning. upon his face In
moment | had him upon his back and
his shirt open. the wound was nasty,
but 1 gladly thought not serious. |
had no fancy TO have the mans death
on my conscience.
10 lad Wank
| that | had almost to carry her out, but
when we reached the door she plucked
up courage to lean upon my arm. The
landlord was blinking in the sun, and
my chaise was ready. l put G5 into
his hand bade him not disturb the
other guest for half an hour, that we
might have a good start in case the
fellow was hot for pursuit, and then.
opening the carriage door. handed the
girl in and bade the positions ride for
an extra guinea. Directly | was seat
ed, off we went. at such terrific pace
and In such a cloud of dust that you
would have thought royal embassy
was on the road to court.
| leaned back against the cushlsns
at my companions side and looked at
her cautiously | felt extraordinarily
lifted up at the sight of her; she was
so young, so sweet, so tenderly fash
ioned Her left hand lay in her lap
and | saw that there was no wedding
ring upon 1t; had been certain before
that the man had lied. was so NOV
ed by her nearness to me that could
not refrain from touching her fingers.
They closed about mine for happy
second.
MY protector!" she murmured.
In half an hour, when heat had had
time to cool, l began to reflect upon the
strangeness of my situation. and 1t was
certainly sufficiently awkward to make
me serious. Here was l, young
bachelor, on my way to my uncle's
house, whose daughter | was to marry,
and in the carriage was girl. young
and pretty, and OF a most engaging
person, whose name | did not know,
whose gallant or abductor, or what
ever he was, | had incontinently
wounded. and whose simplicity, appar-
emily, was so profound that she was as
contented in my hands as she might
have been in her mothers.
by this time she appeared to be
asleep, and had not the heart to call
her back to knowledge of the speed
ing carriage and her world OF SORROWS.
But at last, when we were some dozen
miles or so upon our way, thought it
best to try to bring matters to an is
sue. l touched her hand again and
again her fingers answered mine: she
had not been asleep after all!
Madam" | said, I'VE are now trav-
cling southwark, and If your home lies
in this direction ! will bid my men
drive you there"
"Oh. no, no; not home" she cried.
Where. then. if not home?"
Anywhere but home" she said; my
father Will never forgive me-
He could not, surely. Withstand your
pleading"
She opened her eyes and shook her
head.
"He would never forgive runaway"
she said.
Not even when the runaway thinks
better of 1t, and returns?"
"Ah, but that is not all. II you only
knew how naughty I've been!"
Dear lady, you make much of little;
l dare take my oath you have no heavy
sin upon your conscience. Suppose
you did run away with this rascal
Northfeld. There's no great harm
done and you've stopped In time"
Il believed he loved me; he said he
loved me, and l was so unhappy. But
he was, oh! so rough so cruel. l
hated him them"
She stamped her foot and set her lit
tie teeth together, which made the heat
rise in me again. was sorry that
my sword had not pricked deeper: the
man who could plot evil against SO fair
d life as this deserved no pity.
Think no more OF him." | said.
You are now with me. and as safe IN
my keeping, il you will trust me. as in