The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21

.
country around Lynn perfectly we'll UNI
derStood at once that she had been car
RED outside the town; that she was no
longer on the highroad. but on one of the
cross tracks-one cannot call them roads
which connect the villages. so that there
was very little chance of meeting any
passengers or vehicles. And by the stars
she saw that they were carrying her in
northerly direction. perhaps to South
WOotten
She perceived. therefore, that some
not a girl who would try to help her
self in such deserted and lonely spot
by shrieking, nor did she see that any
good purpose would be served by call
ing to the Chairfnen to let her out She
sat up. therefore, her heart beating a
little faster than usual, and considered
what she should do.
Molly. though not a woman of fash
ION, understood by this time her value,
especially in the eyes of the adventurer
and she also understood quite clearly at
this moment that she had been carried
away without the knowledge of her guar
dian and that the intention of the abduc-
ton was nothing more or less than
forced marriage and the acquisition of her
fortune. Jack she told ms after
ward. Il confess that | did wish Just
for a little, that You might be coming
along the road with a trusty club, but
then | remembered that | was no puny
threadpaper of woman, but as strong as
most men, and | took courage.
Weapon | had none except a steel bod
kin. gilt, stuck in my hair-a small thing
but it might serve if any man ventured
too near, and thought besides. that
there would be a hue and cry and that the
country round would be secured in all di-
rections. They would most certainly grow
tired of carrying me about in a chair;
they must stop somewhere and put me
INTO some place or other. j thought also
that ! could easily manage to keep off one
man. or perhaps two. and that it would
be very unlikely that more than one
would attempt to force me into marriage.
Perhaps | might escape. Perhaps my bod
kin might help me to save myself |
would willingly stab a man to the heart
with it. Perhaps | might pick up some
thtnS-a griddle would be weapon handy
for Draining manor even a frying pan
would do. Whatever happened, Jack, |
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 by
roads of the country many small inns for
the accommodation of persons of the
baSer sort.
the chairmen stopped. Molly knew it very
well 1t was at a place called RikleY's
Spring. The name of the house waY The
Travellers Rest, and it stood just two
miles and half from Lynn and one mile
or so from the village of South Wootten.
IT was small house, gloomy and iII-Iight-
ed at the best There was a door in the
middle. The diamond panes in the win
frames. the woodwork was decaying: the
upper floor, projecting. darkened the low
or rooms. In the dim twilight when the
chair stopped. the house looked a dark
and noisome place, nit only for cutthroats
and murdcrers.
The poles were withdrawn and the door
thrown open. Molly, looking out, saw be-
fore her. hat in hand, her late partner the
Young fellow they called Tom Rising.
oh she cried. lis IL possible?
thought was in the hands of some high
wayman. Is this your doing, sir? l was
told that you were a gentleman.
He bowed low and began a little speech
which he had prepared in readiness.
Madam, you will confess that you are
yourself alone to blame. Fired with the
sight of so much loneliness what wonder
II / asptred to possess myself of these
charms? Sure, a 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
ana inquire should be sufficient excuse not
only IN the eyes of the world. but in yOur
own eyes. for an action such as this The
violence of the passion which
me back?"
No. madam; | win not"
Then. sir. viii you tell me what Won
propose to dor
Il intend to marry you"
Against my consent?"
ybu III power. j snail, how
ever, ask your consent. II you grant it,
we shall enter upon married life as pair
of lovers should. If you refuse. | shall
be the, the master, but you will be the wife"
afraid? Very well sir If you persist.
you shall have lesson in iove-making
that VIII cost your life
Everything is fair in love. Come.
chair
What villain is this?'' said Molly.
lie is in love with my fortune, and he
pretends ii is my person He things
to steal my fortune when he runs away
with me. You are a highwayman. Mr..
Rising, common thief and common
robber. You shall be hanged outside
Tom Rising swore great oath. cali
ing. in his biasphemous way. upon the
Lord 70 iniiict dire pains and penalties
upon him IT. he should resign the lovely
object Of his affection, now in his pos
session You have heard that ne had
the reputation of a reckless daredevil
VINO stuck at nothing, was daunted by
nothing and was like bulldog for his
Understand, madam" he concluded
this declaration, Il am resolved to marry
Bear that in mind
And /. sir. am resolved that | will not
marry you-resolved. Bear that in mind"
Never yet did / resolve upon any
thing but J had it. No; never yet"
more / ask you. as a gentleman, to send
me back. Remember. | have raany
friends The whole town, high and low.
will be presently out after me. securing
the country IN every direction"
In an hour you will be at Wootten
The parson hath promised to await us
short hour"
You waste words, sir"
You Will have to alight. madam The
post chaise is here to carry us to Woot-
ten, where the parson waits to marry us
In an hour. ! say, YOU shall be my wife"
Molly looked out of the other window.
The post chaise was there with its pair
Of horses and the postboy waiting at the
her stand at once. therefore, To get into
the post chaise with that man would be
dangerous. even though she was as strong
as himself, and, since she was not a drlak-
or of wine, she was in better condition
Il looked round at the house" she told
me afterwar1. Il thought that IL | could
get into the house / might gain some time
perhaps | could bar the door perhaps 1
could find that griddle or the frying pan
If which ! spoke. Or if ii came to using
The Bodkin there would be more room for
my arm in a house than in chair or
4 Chaise. So | had one more marley in
order to gain time and then slipped out"
Sir. she said. Il give you one more !
chance of retaining the name and repu- |
iation OF gentleman. Carry me back or
Else await the vengeance Of my friends. /
warn you so'emnly that murder will be |
lone before ! marry you; understand, sir. !
murder Of you or of your cOnfederates or |
If myself "
She spoke with so much calmuess and |
with so much resolution that she aroused |
all his native obstinacy. Besides il was |
now too late. The news of the abduction |
would be all over Lynn: he must carry !
the thing through He swOre another |
loud and blasphemous oath. Heavens. |
How he was punished, How swiftly and I
speedily,
Molly stepped out Of the chair Tom |
Rising. his hat in hand again bowed low. |
Madam. he said, you are well advised |