Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-07-18

/ his blade. 1<Oatn 10 use tne sleei III
saw further into the matter, I caught
him by the wrist as he raised his arm
and with a twist and a trip sent him
sprawling and slipped past him into the
surn of the alley. Here twas dark as
| a pocket and ! could see nothing. But
as [ felt about my hand closed on the
soft, f1imsy stuff of woman's gown
and under it was woman's breast
girls.
aHa," 7 cried. "Tis some wench you
are misusing."
You mistake" said a civil voice
from behind the giPl. IT'S my young
sister, who will out O nights, and we
but take her home"
Il tell you again you are meddling IN
private matter" broke in the first
mans voice. ""Tis for the girls good
and we have authority. Stay longer
| at your PERIL
was half convinced and was on the
point of Withdrawing with an easy con-
science when the girl caught my hand
and carried it to her face. She was
gagged.
you knaves!" 1 cried, tearing loose
the scarf from her mouth. "Who is
this you have gagged?"
with an oath the man behind the girl
stepped out and ran toward the street
crying for a lantern and blowing a
whistle thrifty. Grasping the girl by
| the arm / dashed forward, thrusting
ahead of me as went Half way out
my point took something soft that cried
| out and fell. AT the alleys mouth l
| could see better and here a dark figure
rushed on me fiercely l spitted him
| like lark and he went down in heap
| In the street l thought to have clear
way, but the whistle brought three or
| four men who set upon me with swords.
Calling to the girl to run fer her life
faced about brskly to meet their at
| tack. But she would not, and went
back with me against wall where
they pressed me hard. Two l pinked
SO that they drew out with groans and
curses but one OF the others got In
| shrewdly on my left shoulder. ! was
| in evil case when the girl cried in my
ear that there was door at our backs.
| With a shout Il sprang out and drove
them back a step, then turning ran
/ of hor with
and barred it in their faces.
| Within was utter darkness, and we
felt our way along through narrow
passage till we reached a room with a
window that gave us bit of the moon.
| There was door, but it was fast on
| the other side, and the window was
heavily barred. PLAINLY we could go
| no further, unless We could raise the
house. l raped with my dagger hilt,
! but there was no answer. After many
trials | gave over, not thinking it wise
to. betray our plight to those on the
street.
How fares it with you, girl?' l said,
drawing my companion to where the
moonlight fell. l had expected to find
some simple, burgoise maid and 10!
my gaze fell upon one richly dressed
with the air and carriage Of a gentle
woman. Half girl and half grand dame
| she was and the fairest thing mine eyes
had ever lit upon. And with it all some
| trick of the memory made me know
1 had seen her face before.
'sBy Our Lady," cried in sheer sur
prise. who are you and how came you
here?" With that l took off my cap
and bowed with all respect.
Why" she answered with smile, to
see me so lost in wonderment, my
carriage was stopped and Il was taken"
'eHa." I cried. This is the doing of
Sir Charles Anthony"
Truly think So" said she, "and 4
think also that / shall have no peace
| from him till some brave man removes
| him from this world" And with this
| she looked at me with broad signifi-
canoe in her gaze.
AS for the rest" she. went on, II
am Eleanor Fairfax, now grown to
womans full estate, as you may see.
| That L am here l have to think Sir
Francis Beauclerc."
| stood silent in surprise. hardly able
to trust my ears and eyes, and yet it
was the girl with whom l had been
brought up in Devonshire.
mot Sir, but plain Francis Beau
clerc," i said at length.
Tut" she answered, as one who
brings good news, you are behind the
times. Your worthy and loving
brother is dead these seven days, and
even now a messenger searches for you
to wish you joy
l would have poured upon her food
Of questions, but here her eye fell upon
broad red smudge upon my coat. In
vain did ! make light Of the cut upon
my shoulder. though in faith twas
shrewd wound and letting out more
blood than l liked; she would have my