The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-01-17

wretch would be well punished. And
finally announced that would see
the desperate villain. The sergeant.
nothing 10th to exhibit his prisoner,
and fiattered by my interest, made
ready lantern and with Mistress
Molly, followed him to the coach
room where sentry stood watchful
at the door. his bayonet cleaning.
They threw open the door and thrust
in the lantern.
The prisoner lay in some straw, his
hands and feet bound with rope At
our coming he sat up and blinked for
moment at the lanterns light. Then
he lifted up his chin and looked at
me. There was quick recognition in
his eyes, instantly yelled; then fol-
lowed full, direct gaze. All, the
power of that look! Something like
fame seemed to leap into my breast
and for once it was Bess Heriots eye
that quailed and dropped. My knees
Went weak, but kept my countenance.
Lord, sergeant" cried in my most
affected London drawl, what ar ar
ANoSA ~ ID. Oulc IH0 AO6a0 ~
dangerous. Take me away"
At 2 of the clock in the morning
led him into the kitchen where bright
llre was burning on the hearth and
food and wine stood on the dresser.
And coming into the light we stopped
to look. Ragged he was and ILL
6rPGGnf 10 f-eto, 1I1i ,rr
With the cold, but brave and bright
and mistaken. Gone was the masque
OF the dandy, but he was handsome
as he never was in coat and wig and
powder. And bore his scrutiny I'M
filnching, being in kitchen maids
gown and hooded and cloaked, with
smutty face to cap it.
Eur, said l, hitting off to the life
the kitchen maid whose clothes
wore, don't zee waste time. Hast
none long to bide. Fill stomach and
warm bones''
But to my establishment, instead Of
gong down on his knee and haillng
me as his preserver, he burst out into
laugh and vowed he would not touch
mouthful until l told him how his
escape had been effected. So / went
on, secure in my disguise:
Ladyzhip have a-brought it about.
Ladyznip gays to me gays zhe:
Wench, come quiet to kitchen wi
your zweet'eart, Joe Gamekeeper, for
I've a-got a need O. zee for what
mind to do. An zhe telled Joe to
zaddle grey hunter-food an spirits
an pistols in the bags an big cloak
an to wait benin orchard wall. An
Ladyzhlp gays to me, zays zhe, GENTRY
nave a-got much zpirits in heaself.
rake lanthorn under zhawl an Zip all
SnbeknoWn through passage to cellar
under coach house-puzh up trap door
quiet like-cut ropes an bring rebel
rogue to kitchen. Give zee this purse
Q, gold for him. Tell him mount Grey
Hunter an ride for life. If he have
a-goa cart of Wy cell go free.'"
With that laid the purse down on
the dresser. But he made no move to
take and clapped his hands softly,
saying it was as good as a play, and
then fell to eating.
'zur," said I, IVY did zee zcowl 20.
Vast dreamin' of zweet'eart, likee?" (.
Nay" said he, mo time have had
for sweethearting. But dreamed Of
maid saw in London. In my dream
she was kind, but you walked me to re-
member that in the flesh she had de-
MED me and called me 'arrant REBEL
and SO I scowled."
Fair, wuz zhe, zur?" asked.
"The toast of London town." he said,
"but scatter-brained and with tenn
per-" And then he laughed.
The impudent rogue! I said no more
till he had finished. And then the
audacious fellow came up close and
said, with wonderful dancing light in
his eye, but with his lips sweet and
sober:
Now, Lady Bess Heriot, with many
thanks for your food and wine and
fire your humble servant is ready to
go back to his straw-and his dreams. -
Lord! I was that taken aback l
just stood and stared at him. And he
went on gravely and soberly:
Your worshipful father, you see,
has given billet for tonight to this cap
tain, and to free his prisoner atlantis
him-and his-of treason. l cannot
accept freedom at such price toto
my friends" With that he made a
grand bow and stood waiting my
| answer.
Alas! know he spoke the truth,
but l burst out on him with torrent
of reproaches and reservations that
the Heriots had naught to fear from
such cause. Methinks 1 must have
made too light Of it, for he drew of
cold and distant. But he answered:
! Madame. l would could accept
your estimate of my value as a pris-
oner, but know what I know and
tits trouble for you all-sore trouble ,.
But, lad" l cried, It's Tyburn Tree
else"
81 know" said he gravely. But there
was no sign of tiinching in him.
And then forgot all my fine airs
and begged him not to throw his
young life away-aye, pleaded with
him with tears.
Lady Bess, why have you done this
thing?" he asked me finally, holding
me with his eye.
And could not say word. nor
could take my eyes away, and in turn
he said nothing, but gazed at me stead.
lastly long time.
II cannot die on Tyburn Tree
now" he said finally. II will tc
France and there send word. II yor
find the price too heavy, send word II
4 time and will return. And ANYWAY