The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-08-07

i
peril"
| / vas half convinced and was on the
| point Of Withdrawing with an easy con.
science when the girl caught my hand and
| carried Il 10 her face. She was gagged.
You knavesr' 1 cried. tearing loose
the scarf from her mouth who is this
you have gaggedT'
With an oath the man behind the girl
stepped out and ran toward the street.
crying for a lantern and blowing a whis-
tie shrilly. Grasping the girl by the arm
l dashed forward thrusting ahead Of
me as I went. Half way out my point
took something soft that cried cut and
fell. At the alleys mouth l could see
better. and here a dark figure rushed on
me fiercely. I spitted him like lark and
he Went down in a heap
In the street I thought TO have clear
way, but the whistle brought three OF four
men who set upon me with swords. Cali
ing to the girl 10 run for her life | faced
about briskly 10 meet their attack But
she would not, and went back with ne
against wall where they pressed me
nerd. Two pinked so that they drew out
with grOans and curses. but one OF the
others got in shreWdly on NY left shOul-
der. | was in evil case when the girl
cried In my ear that there was a door 1T
our backs. With a shout l sprang out and
drove them back a step. then turning ran
after her within the door and bolted and
barred il in their faces.
Within was utter darkness, and we felt
our way along through narrow passage
till We reached a room with a window that
gave US a bit of the moon. There was a
door, but it was fast on the other side.
and the window was heavily barred.
Plainly we could go no farther. unless We
could raise the house. ! raped with my
dagger hilt. but there was no answer
After many trials gave over, not think
ing it wise to betray our plight to those
on the street.
How fares it with you. girl?" I said.
ora wing my companion to where the
moonlight fell. I had expected TO find
some simple. burgeoise maid and lol nv
gaze fell upon one richly dressed with the
air and carriage OF a gentIewOman. Half
girl and half grand dame she was and the
tairest thing mine eyes had ever lit upon
And with it all some trick of the memory
made me know I had seen her face be
fore.
by Our Lady" I cried in sheer sur
prise. who are you and how came you
here" With that took off my cap and
bowed with all respect
Why" she answered with a smile. to
see me so lost in wonderment. my car
riase was stopped and was taken"
"Ha! cried. This is the doing of Sir
Charles Anthony"
Truly I think sO.' said she, "and I
think also that I shall have no peace from
him I'LL some brave man removes him
from this world" And with this she look
ed at me with broad significance in her
gaze.
AS for the rest" she went on. II am
Eleanor Fairfax now grown TO woman's
full estate. as you may see. That 7 am
mere L have to thank Sir Francis Beau
clerc"
stood silent in surprise, hardly able to
trust my ears and ewes. and vet II was
the girl with whom had been brought up
in DevOnshire.
mot Sir but plain Francis Beauclerc,"
I said at length.
Tut she answered, as one who brings
good news, you are behind the times.
Your worthy and loving brother is dead
these seven days, and even now a mes
senger searches for you to wish you joy"
/ would have poured upon her a flood OF
questions, but here her eye fell upon a
broad red smudge upon my coat. In vain |
did / make light of the cut upon my
though in faith twas a shrewd |
wound, and letting out more blood than |
liked; she would have my coat off in |
stanter, and then with my dagger she cut |
open my shirt and very delicately bound |
up the wound with kerchef and scarf. |
Oemoaning herself the while that she was |
was the cause of it and pouring out |
thanks for her rescue and praise |
Of my sword play, till felt myself flush |
ing like school boy. Indeed, so tender |
VAS the touch Of her slim, soft fingers, so |
sweet the perfume of her, and so 1
the sound of her slow, clear |
voice, that I would willingly have had a
iozen wounds for her TO dress.
And then was enacted anew the story /
which no mans lips are weary of utter /
ng, and of which no woman's ears shall |
ire. We sat down upon the steps that /
ed to the door to wait for morning light |
and sOOth to tell / made hot love and
she, at first protesting and shy of listen
ng. came by degrees to hearken, and
presently, as it grew chill, put my coat |
Ipon her shoulders, and with my arm
lbout her drew her close, the while /
in her ear.
And then, all of a sudden, our love
lreams were shattered in an instant. For
here was a crash as the street door was
down and in poured a press of
men with torches. Sir Anthony at their
lead, crying: Rescue for Mistress Flea
Tor Fairfax, Death TO her abductorr
md even as they came on, the door above
Is opened, and down the steps came arm
d house servants also with torches and |
And then when all paused an in
tant TO see what was coming next, the
irl at my side broke out into hysterical
au.hter.
ITO think" she cried, that have fed
or refuge to mine own house and knew
not For it was even so. and the
louise servants clustered about her with
earty welcome and congratulation while
iF Charles and his men stood astonished
nd hesitating. Then came my turn.
Sir Charles Anthony" / said. hinging
ny glove in his face, II denounce you as
he abductor Of this maid. my childhood's
laymate and the lady of my love. On
uaTd"'
Before the words were out OF my mouth !
e lunged straiaA at my heart. and had I
OF been quick. he had caught me IN
ware. But / was as quick az he. and IN |
mother instant our blades were clashinc
2 the deadly music Of steel upon steel
or was the issue long In doubt With her ,
yes upon me was as one inspired. and
J a moment more my point drank deeply
his heart and he fell face down on the
tone Tagging with a clatter.
And then before them all Mistress Flea
or Fairfax put her white arms about nv ,
eek ana IIted ner lips for her first kiss. | !
Never Had One from Chicago. II
ON the Philadelphia Press
They are telling in this CITY a story !