Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-12

was IN tDe room DelOW tuHt l COulu !
see. l cautiously descended. In the
corner Of the settle by the fireplace
there was the old woman OF the house,
"'They are coming after you. missy
che said. 7 knew how II would end. !
| warned him. l told him that every !
thing was against it. / read his luck
by tho cards and by the magpies and
by the swallows. Everything was
against 1t. They are coming. Hnrk!
They are very close now. And they
will kill him
II ran to the open door. Mr.. Rising
was in the middle of the road, without
his hat, his sword In his hand; behind
him stood his chairmen. He was not
going to give me up without n 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 daybrcak Lord Fy-
lingdale leading, the captain beside
him and half n dozen gentlemen fol-
lowing. all on horseback.
"'There she is There is Molly.
cried the captain. What cheer lass?
What chcer?'
Lord Fylingdale held up his hand.
The whole party drew rein and halted.
Then their leader dismounted. They
were now about 20 yards from the
men. He threw his rens 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 lady and to punish villain.
Let both be done without appearance
of wrath or revenge. Captain Crowle,
do not diSmount, | entrcat you, until
the conclusion of the next act. Molly
is. as you see, apparently safe and I'M
hurt
"They obeyed.
al shall now measure swords with
the young gentleman who thinks that
he can carry off heircsses with impu-
nifty. I would advise you to advance
little closer to the house. He must
understand that punishment awaits
him, If not from me, then from some
other of this company
"Iook at Tom said one of them.
His blood Is up. He is now all for
fighting. He means mischief, if ever
he has meant mischief. ! remember at
Swaffham when he fought the young
squire of Headngley. That was about
girl, too-a mere, worthless drab of
a tavern servant. Tom broke down his
mans guard and ran him through in
half n minute. | wish we were we'll
out of this job
Tom stood in the road, as l have
said. his sword in hand, his hat lying
on the ground before him. II flaming
cheeks and eyes as fiery as those of
bull brought to bay mean mischief,
then Toms intention was murderous.
TO 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 ut
the moment Of success would madden
the mildest Of men. He looks like
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 whis-
pered.
Said Captain Crowle: XIII him, my
lord. Kill the villain. Kill him.
LET me warn your lordship.' said
the gentleman who had last spoken.
His method will be n fierce attack. lie
will try to break down your guard
81 know that method Lord Fyling-
Z doll iaI ha
forward and took off his hat. Mr..
Rising he said this affair might
very well be settled by two or three
sailors or common porters. We are
willing, however, to treat you as gen.
tleman, which, sir, you no longer de-
serve
eco on, go on said Tom. twill
be all the same in FIVE minutes
81 am therefore going to do you the
honor Of fighting you
al shah show you how l appreciate
that honor. Stop talking, man, and
begin
Il must, however, warn you that II
you are TO fight as a gentleman you
must try to behave as one for this oc-
cason only. Should you attempt any
kind of treachery my friends will In
terfere. In that case you will certainly
not leave the field alive
"'What do you want, thenT
"'You must send away those two
hulking fellows behind you. / am will
ing to fight you with swords, but am
not going to fight your lackeys with
clubs
Tom turned round. Here. you fell
lows; get off. Go and stand beside the
chair. Whatever happens, don't inter-
fere. Well. my lord, the sooner this
event comes off the better"
He laid down his sword and took Off
coat and waistcoat, turning up the
sleeve OF his right arm. Then he turn
ed TO Molly and saluted her. Mistress
Molly" he said, with a grin, you are
going to have very fine sight. Per
haps when it is over you will be sorry
for your shilly shally-stand off-no, |
won't fuss. You're not worth carrying
off. II I'd known Now, my lord"
Lord Fylngdale had also removed
his coat and waistcoat and now stood
in his shirt, with the sleeves rolled up,
hatless.
Just at that moment the sun rose
swiftly. as is his manner In this fiat
country. II was IA II the earth had