Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-02


him stood his chairmen. He was not
going to give me up without fight.
The postboy had drawn the chaise into
the field, and the sedan chair was
standing beside it. And down the
road, only n little way OFF, saw in the
growing light of daybreak Lord Fy-
lingdale leading, the captain beside
him and half n dozen gentlemen fol-
lowing, all on horseback
There she is! There is AIollyv
cried the captain. What cheer. lass?
What cheer?
Lord Fylingdale held up his hand
The whole party drew rein and halted
Then their leader dismounted. They
We're now about 90 yards from the
men. He threw his reins to the near
est of the little troop. Gentlemen
he said, we must proceed with this
business without hurry or buster or
threats Mr.. Rising will perhaps
threaten and buster. We are here to
rescue a lady and to punish villain.
Let both be done without appearance
of wrath or revenge. Captain Crowle.
do not dismount, entreat you, until
the conclusion of the next act. Molly
is, as you see, apparently safe and I'M
hurt
'They obeyed.
shall now measure swords with
| the young gentleman who thinks that
he can carry off heiresses with impu-
nifty. would advise you to advance
n little closer to the house. He must
understand. that punishment awaits
him, il not from me, then from some
other of this company
| Look at Tom said one of them.
His blood is up. He is now all for
fighting. He means mischief, If ever
i he has meant mischief. remember at
Swaffhnm when he fought the young
squire Of Headingley. That was about
a girl, too-a mere, worthless drab of
a tavern servant Tom broke down his
4 mans guard and ran him through in
half minute. l wish we We're well
out of this job
TON stood in the road, as l have
said, his sword In hand, his hat lying
on the ground before him. If flaming
cheeks and eyes as fiery rs those of a
bull brought to bay. mean mischief,
then Toms intention was murderous.
ITO thwart Tom in anything the
gentleman went on, is dangerous; but
to take away his girl-and such girl.
to rob him of that great fortune just at
the moment of success, would madden
the mildest of men. He looks like a
mailman. Should one warn his lord
ship? And he has got two chairmen
with their poles IN readiness. We
should ride in upon them before they
can do any mischief So they wills
pered.
"said Captain Crowle: xiii him, my
lord. Kill the villain. XIII him.
Let me warn your lordship' sale
the gentleman who had last spoken
u His method will be fierce attack. He
will try to break down your guard
81 know that method Lord Flying
dale replied coldly. Then he stepped
forward and took of his hat. Mr.
Rising he said, this affair might
very well be settled by two or thret
sailors or common porters. We art
i willing, however, to treat you as n gen
tleman, which, sir, you no longer de
serve
eco on, so on said Tom. twill
be all the same In five minutes
so am therefore going to do you thu
honor of fighting you
II shall show you how appreciate
that honor. Stop talking, man, ant
begin
81 must, however, warn you that i
you are to fight as Il gentleman 70,
must try to behave as one for this oc
casion only. Should you attempt an.
kind of treachery my friends will in
terfere. In that case You will certainl.
not leave the field alive
"What do you want, then?
"'You must send away those tw'
hulking fellows behind you. I am will
ing to fight you with swords, but an
not going to fight your lackeys witt
clubs
atom turned round Here, you fel
lows; get off. Go and stand beside tn
chair. Whatever happens, don't inter
fere. Well, my lord, the sooner thi
event comes Off the better.'"
he laid down his sword and took OF
coat and waistcoat, turning up tn
sleeve of his right arm. Then he turn
ed to Molly and saluted her. "Mistres
Molly" he said. with grin, ''you ar
going to have a very fine sight Pei
haps when 1t is over you will be SORT
for your shilly shally-stand off-no,
won't fuss. You're not worth carryin
off. If I'd known Now, my lord"
Lord Fylingdale had also removes
his coat and waistcoat and now stoo
In his shirt, with the sleeves rolled VI
, hatless.
Just at that moment the sun ros
swiftly, as Is his manner in this fla
country. 1t was as If the earth ha
leaped into light in order to give thes
swordsmen a clearer view of each oil
er. They were n strange contrast-Mo
: ly's champion erect. pale and cain
his adversary bent as II with passion
grasplng his sword with eager hand.
"He means mischief repeated til
gentleman of the troop. 81 would thi
business was ended. wonder if til
noble lord can fight. He does not loo
afraid anyhow"
"He looks as if he could feel neithe
fear nor anger nor love nor any pa.
sion at all. He is an iceberg II,
they are beginning!"
They faced each other.
: The swords crossed. "Look to you
SELF" cried Tom. 81 will spit you lik
pigeon"
He stamped and banged. The thrus
! was parted easily and lightly. To1
lunged again, and again with sligt
turn of the wrist the thrust was pa
!, ried, but as vet Lord Fylingdale seen
/ ed to stand on the defensive.
, "He Knows how to fence" they wifi
pered. See! He means to tire hi
{ adversary. He parties everythin,
i Tom thrusts like mailman. Why, b
3 exposes himself at every lunge. SCI
{ He has lost his head. One would thin
. he was fighting with an automatic
! 1r,bo f.nnld oo11- ~