Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-09-27

---~ SUI = III almost uncOns
sctously planning TO save her from
either one. It may seem little strange
that one OF my character should find
fault with anybody following the same
line Of business that had occupied my
attention for half lifetime and that
should begin to criticise my master
for crimes that had many times COM
mftted. doubt very much If should
have troubled myself IN this way had
not Miss Stetson commanded my re-
spect and confidence She was too
pure and good to fall a victim to such
villains. There was a sacredness about
her love for Mr.. Goddard. even though
Il could never be consummated In mar
rfafye, which made her ten times more
beautiful and lovely In my eyes. II
such love had been mine IN early life,
should never have drifted AWAY from
an upright and honorable life.
She was not to marry him. That she
had settled in her own mind, but she
wHs consecrating her young life to him.
The dread of the leper In him was an
eHectual barrier to their union, but she
loved him none the less. Her pale face
even to me, and 1 blessed her for it
Her love was OF a nobler type than
the ordinary, but the pity of It was
that my master was not worthy OF it.
Ny feelings did not exactly undergo
a transformation Apart from his re-
l4tionship with Miss Stetson, ! still
liked and admired my master. He was
a skilled master IN his profession, a
urAn with many virtues and genial
qualities, one whose kindness in the
world had done much TO make others
happy. He was In reality my beau
ideal Of a criminal a man who pur-
sued his unlawful work without Inn
bruiting his own nature. a master OF
his profession and not u slave to It
But when It came 60 question OF
choosing between my master and Miss
Stetson unhesitating1y sided with the
latter. one whose virtue was no less a
powerful factor In attracting me than
h@ utter helpIessness n the hands OF
two such men
Or. Squires had enlisted my dislike
from the first. and through varying de-
grees OF feelings had reached a cii-
4
would thwart him IN his aim even
though it compromised my master In
the doing. I had convincing proof
that be was all ever imagined him to
be
soon became spy IN tbs interest
OF Miss Stetson and IN a sense a traitor
TO my master. This undetermined pro-
cedure displeased me, and several times
1 was on the point OF applying for a
position in the Stetson mansion. But
this would remove me from the base
OF my supplies. 1 could not obtain the
material so essential 10 conduct a sue
ceasful warfare against the two men.
1 would have TO play the traitor for a
time at least-a role. be It said to my
credit, that I never acted before.
L strove to make myself liked and
trusted by her, for I knew that the
day might come when It would be very
important that she should believe in
me and have confidence In my wis
dom. Although nominally n mere but
Ter. knew that my master had praised
me to her and had made her look upon
me as something more than q common
servant
Meanwhile an accident that nearly
proved fatal to her enabled me to in
crease her friendliness for me. While
riding one Of the horses which John
said needed exercise, a feature OF my
old life as groom that had not totally
abandoned, this adventure occurred.
IL was quiet, peaceful morning,
Nr~a,es S.Nk.N a ~
thinking deeply OF the strange circum-
stances which had 50 occupied my
mind OF late. heard the clatter OF
feet in the distance. and as they SEEM
ed 10 approach rapidly and increase in
volume / turned my head to see the
cause. Down the Old country road a
horse was flying, throwing up clouds
of dust and swayfng the rider irres-
piariy from left to right turned my
horse and waited a moment to let the
daring rider pass.
Bot as the running steed rapidly
doomed up out OF the showers OF dust
his feet were creating saw that the
rider had lost ali control OF the ant
mai and was uncertaiply retaining his
seat in the saddle. A moment later
my heart gave little bound OF fear
when l realized that the rider was n
woman and that women Miss Stetson.
nShe was unattended, as she often was
b her morning rides, and along the old
ountry road there was little chance
her attracting any one who could
ap her.
The horse was painting and snorting
fth the violence OF his exertions, and
the way he swung hrs head and neck
knew that he was liable to cut up
~ dangerous trick TO unseat hts rid
- AS they approached within a few
is Of me caught a glimpse OF the
bite face OF Miss Stetson. She was
ariy overcome with fright and exer-
e, and her appealing eyes stirred up
Hy latent power within me.
slet the raging horse pass, for any
Tempt to stop him short In hts mad
sreer would result IN his hinging the
rider to the ground Then, whipping
up my own horse, started In pursuit
Il a., &c.