Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-09-23

over the StlIe into the neld.
i The man stopped when he
reached the carriage, and we
had no doubt that he was the
driver. for he opened the car
riage door, looked ins drew
down the blinds, fumbled with
the harness and then walked
on and turned down the road
leading to the left, lighting his
pipe as he went. We instantly
climbed over the stiIe into the
road and hastened in crouch
ing attitude toward the house.
keeping we'll III the shade. We
were pretty certain that some
thing would happen soon, and
so it did
The door into the lane opened,
and man wearing a long
overcoat, came out. followed by
a woman. Immediately behind
came another man, carrying a
large valise. The door was
carefully closed, and the three
walked toward the carriage.
We followed with noiseless
tread, walking on the turf side
of the path and keeping in the
thickest of the shade.
The driver was already on the
box. with the reins gathered in
his hand. The man and wo-
man entered the carriage. The
other man handed in the valise
and closed the door Then he
mounted the rumble.
Jump up and keep him silent
with your revolver" | whis-
pered. III take the driver"
The carriage was already in
motion as we mounted to our
respective places. IF you utter
a sound. I'll blow your brains
OUT" | whispered to the coach
man.
He was startled and would
have fallen from the seat if [
hadn't clutched him. He re-
covered himself, and away we
went. AS | learned afterward,
my associate was equally sue
ccssful with his man. We drove
for six miles and reached a.
railroad station, as we could
see by the lights. As the car
riage drew up jumped down,
and when the man and woman
alighted | clapped the nippers
on the man. My associate did
the same with his man, each
one saying in the usual form,
You're my prisoner.
| called my associate and
gave my prisoner into his
charge. In an instant we had
them locked together, and then
| took charge of the woman.
Now. you must understand
that while this was going on all
of them We're protesting in
angry tones.
What is the meaning of
this 2" the man with the wom-
an asked after | had made
everything safe.
1T means," said |, THAT you
are arrested for burglary
Burglary - he exclaimed
Then he toned down and said:
My dear fellow. you've made
an awful mistake. In Gods
name. listen, and you'll see
what a nice mess you have put
me i'm and this gentle young
lady as well. | have loved her
long. and her friends objected,
and this is only an elopement."
The lady began to weep and
to entreat me not to delay them.
and | admit that | felt rather
queer.
Just then a well dressed man
came out of the station, for it
was late. and only few persons
were around waiting for the
next train.
Here. station MASTER" said
my prisoner, you know me.
don't you =
.Certainly." was the answer.
"You are Captain Manning"
You hear that, sir = said
the prisoner. Il have been
looming here for years. | am
lCaptain Manning of the Royal
highlanders. and this is a niece
of the gentleman whose home
she has just left
Il don't think I've made any
mistake" | said. Squire Hor-
tons was the place. We had
the information straight"
esquire Horizons :" he ex-
claimed. "Why. the place is
Mr.. Orton 's-not Squire Hor-
tons Squire Horizons is a mile
farther along the turnpike.
That's $ So" said the station
master
"Well." said | to my com
panion. II fancy we must
have bIundered badly. What
do YOU think :"