Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-09-11

my oNaA bof hho tOulu ItCOE ulLC
you in a Grape mask, or suspect the
bishops nephew? There's not been
a knight of the road in these quiet
country lanes for the last so years.
1t viii wake the good folk up-give
them something to talk about"
D the good people; it's a hate
full job robbing women. / tell you
l won't do it, Harry"
"You seem to have forgotten that
women have pretty well robbed you.
Also, that unless you can square old
Levi within the next few weeks he
will come down smartly on that young
brother of yours. The youngster
was a deuced fool to forge your ia
theirs signature, of course; still, you
took him to see Vera, knowing her
and her kind
81 know l did. Well, he shall have
the $4,000 all right, and get back the
bill. Cheer up, Harry, old man. I'm
going to see the game through. For
get my momentary hesitation to be-
come a scoundrel. l know it's i'm
possible to raise the money in any
other way, so here goes" And with
a light, knocking laugh Roger Mere
dith turned on his heel, and his
friend whistled softly.
The moon had gone in, and the
dark country side seemed deserted;
Lady Halcross' carriage rumbled
safely along, her ladyship doing hap
PLY, while her pretty debutante
daughter and Clara Stanhope kept up
an animated, if whispered converse
ton. After a while the younger girl
ceased to prattle, her pretty head
nodded in unconscious imitation of
her mothers, but Clara %Stanhope
sat erect and upright, thinking new
thoughts, dreaming new dreams.
81 shall meet him again." she
thought; ''and then"
Her reverie was suddenly inter
rupted.
The click Of a revolver resounded
through the country lane, and the
forgotten cry of a past century,
you money or your life" reused
sleepy James and the easy-going old
coachman to a state of cringing ter
ror.
A highwayman seemed to have
started out of the hedge. The car
riage lamps revealed that he was tall
and thin; he wore a Grape mask and
a riding cloak, and carried himself
with an assumed swagger.
Hands up, my good men, or l fire!
Now, ladies, while | cover the serve
ants with my revolver, I am afraid |
must ask you to step out of the car-
rage, and hand me your jewelry. I
want all the valuables that you are
have no time to waste, | must have
the jewels before | count ten, Or"
A horribly suggestive click of his
revolver sent Lady Halcross flying
out of the carriage with an agility
remarkable in a stout and elderly
chaperon.
Take my diamonds, take them all,
you wicked, cowardly mani" she
sobbed, tearing off her cleaning,
glittering gems. "Only spare our
lives. Cine him your pearls, Janet,
my darling"
Poor Janet stood trembling by her
mothers side, but as Lady Halcross
spoke she put up her little shaking
hand, and offered her pretty trinkets
to the hi~ghwayman, who seemed to
take them against his will.
II suppose you want my jewels,
too?" Clara Stanhope spoke, in i'm
perious tones, and faced the assailant
boldly. The two frightened women
had skunk back into the carriage and
were covering together; the coach
man and footman on the box had
their arms up, leaving the horses to
chance and fate.
81 certainly do" was the stern,
short answer.
Then take them, theft" AS the
girl spoke she held out her wonder
full tiara and as the man seized the
glowing green jewels she sprang at
him like a young tigress, and half
tore the Grape mask from his face.
Then a sharp cry broke from her.
Il know you'll" she cried. "Oh, I
know you!"
Before she could say more she was
struggling in the highwayman's
grasp, and his hand was over her
mouth.
Can 1 trust you to keep silent-if
l spare your emeralds?"
She nodded her head; and, as he
removed his hand, 81 will keep 81
lent-on my honor" she whispered.
Every well, take the stones" He
handed her the jewels; then added,
half under his breath, "I'm not rob-
bling for my own sake"
1t was doubtful if the girl heard
him, for she had sprung back into
the carriage.
The highwayman looked in, and as
he met the look in Clara Stanhope's
eyes, he realized what he had won
and lost.
"Drive on you pair of frightened
curs!" he, cried to the coachman and
footman, and the carriage rumbled
swiftly away. Suddenly, above the
sobbing of the women inside, he
heard a cry, and the carriage window
was flung open.
"Here, l don't want your bride;
take it,"
A flash of green shot through the
air, and Clara Stanhope's emeralds
fell on the path. The highwayman
left them there. People supposed
afterward he had dropped them in
his fight
Lady Halcross never recovered her
diamonds and the mvStariouS hiUh-