Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-05-27
CHAPTER v,

Only twenty.four hours before, how
Mabel would have trembled to End herself
In such . position-would have trembled
ct the thought that she was barred and
bolted out, while all the household slept.
But since the previous night she had sui.
fered % much that she was almost calm
ct the prospect Of passing the night In the
summer house.
II suppose can bear that, after what
I have Just gone through" said Nab to
herself. "Oh, Dick, Dick, II you could
but know what am suffering now!'
The next moment she uttered q faint
cry. impossible 10 repress, for. apparently
asleep, before her on the grass lay q man,
But he was not asleep, for he moved, and.
springing to bis feet, confronted her,
"Well, ucverw be ciied, In the accents
Of q countryman. "Who be you, a.6ittIn'
about here at this time o. nlght2 WHY.
It's well.nigh two o'clock In the mornin'!
Come-tell 10 your name! You're one O.
the gals g lives In service up at the house.
7 rsckour
And % Mabel. too terrified to answer.
would have rushed back. be prevented her
By stepping before her. Without pausins
to think, and without speaking. she dash.
ed aside. since the path behind was
barred. and succeeded In throwing open q
small green gate which led into the road.
A panic had seised her. Overmastered BY
her terror, she ran she knew not whittier.
The countryman pursued. and soon
came W with the startled GIRL and III
might Il have Jared with her IL Il had not
CHANGED that passer-by. accompanied BY
. magnificent dog, was at that instant
walking along BY the green gate.
The sight OF terrified young lady pur.
sued BY . rough.looking man arrested bis
steps ct once.
''Oh. save me-save met" cried Mabel,
driven to extremity. and painting In the
widest terror.
"He under no fear" said the stranger;
my dog would deal With two such men"
Then turning to the man, who would fain
have skunk away-"How do you dare to
follow the lady. you coward!"
mo 06ense, sir-my lordy stammered
the fellow. shaking In every limb. II just
asked the young lady what she was q.
doin' In the garden at this time O. the
morpin', an she run OF like mad! Shed
NO call to fear me. shouldn't ha' laid
q finger on her"
BE silent, cir. and quit this place. Nm.
less you wish to be punished for tres.
p PEI, haa x r.. have no business here and
II ask your pardon, an the young
lady's, too, my lord" said the man, hum.
bly,. "Fact d. I'd walked good bit, an
] was tired, an had to be early at work q
mile or two on, an just turned IN an
lay dOwn on the grass; an that's the long
an short Of Il. my lord"
"Well. be Cd now, and be quick about
h!' returned the gentleman who had 20
opportunity come to Mabels assistance.
MY dog hardly seems to think you are
here for any gOOd-he never grOwls In
that way when he trusts man. And now,
pray, tell me what can do for you," said
Lions master. turning gravely and defer
entially to Mabel. who all this time had
been leaning half fainting against the lit.
tie green gate, quite unable to utter q
word or even to move from the excess Of
her agitation.
FL live here" gasped Mabel. In direst
confusion and trouble.
"You live here" echoed the gentleman
here. at Mr.. John Charlford's2 But he
has no daughters-he II not married"
~ am one Of bis nieces," stammered
Mabel. more troubled than ever; land be
would never forgive me II he knew, II he
should ever discover that ! was here at
this time Of night"
"Iudesd, am very sorry" rejoined the
gentleman still more sravely. "Will you
parden me. Miss Charlford. for begging
you to ask yourself whether It Is right for
you to place yourself In such danger %
You were In just now-whether tbs right
tor you to do what you are so well aware
yone uacle must sravely object tor
I'll did nothing wr0ng-n0thing! o..
slained Mabel. suddenly bursting Into