The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-09-12

| .. ~
| No LeaSsas MA 10 me pooa
ever happened, Jack, I was resolved
that nothing, not even fear Of murder,
should make me marry the man who
had carried me off,
| There are found scattered about the
I byroads Of the country many small
inns for the accommodation Of persons
of the baser sort.
1t was before such wayside inn
that the chairmen stopped. Molly knew
1T very we'll. 1t was at a place called
Rikley's Spring. The name of the
house was the Travellers Rest, and it
stood just two miles and half from
Lynn and one mile or so from the vii
lage of South Wootten. It was small
house, gloomy and ill lighted at the
best. There was door in the middle
The diamond panes of the windows
were mostly broken in their leaden
frames; the woodwork was decaying;
the upper floor, projecting, darkened
when the chair stopped, the house look
ed a dark and noisome place, fit only
for cutthroats and murderers.
The poles were withdrawn and the
door thrown open. Molly, looking out
saw before her, hat in hand, her late
partner, the young fellow they called
Tom Rising. e.
"Oh," she cried, sis it possible?
thought was in the hands Of some
highwayman. Is this your doing, sir?
was told that you were a gentleman"
He bowed low and began a little
speech which he had prepared in read
mess.
MADAM, you will confess that you
are yourself alone to blame. Fired with
the sight. of so much loneliness, what
wonder if aspired to possess myself
OF these charms?- Sure, Laplander
himself would be warmed even in his
frozen region by SUCH
"Sir, what nonsense is this? What
do you mean? ~
Il mean, madam, that your lovely
face and figure should be sufficient ex-
cuse not only in the eyes of the world,
but in your own eyes, for an action
such as this. The violence of the pas
sion which, -
Sir, will you order your fellows to
take me back?"
mo, madam; will not"
"Then, sir, will you tell me what you
propose to do?"
Il intend to marry you.''
Against my consent?"
II have you in my power. I shall.
however, ask your consent If you
grantrit, we shall enter upon married
life as pair of lovers should. If you
refuse, shall be the master, but you
will be the wife, 80. - -
Molly laughed. "You think that l
am afraid? Very well, sir. If you per-
sfst, you shall have lesson in love
making that will cost your life"
Everything is fair in love. Come,
madam, you will please to get out Of
the chair -I- - s..--.
What a villain is thisv' said Molly.
He is in love with my fortune, and he
pretends it is my person. He thinks
to steal my fortune when he runs away
with me. You are highwayman, Mr..
Rising, common thief and common
robber. You shall be hanged outside
Norwich CASTLE"
Tom Rising sWoresa great oath, call
ing, in his blaspaemous way, upon the
Lord to infiict dire pains and penalties
upon him If he should resign the lovely
object of his affection now in his pos
session. You have heard that he had
the reputation Of reckless daredevil
who stuck at nothing, was daunted by
nothing and was like bulldog for his
tenacity.
Understand, madam he concluded
this declaration, 81 am resolved to
marry you-resolved. Bear that in
mind
."And I, sir, am resolved that will
not marry you-resolved. Bear that.
in mind"
Never yet did resolve upon any.
thing but had it. No: never yet"
'tn.Mr. Rising, you think you have me
in your power. You shall see. Once
more I ask you, as q gentleman, to
send me back. Remember, I have many
friends. The whole town, high and
low, will be presently out after me,
securing the country in every direc.
ton"
IN an hour yon win be At Wootten.