Newport daily independent., 1902-09-18


 'I might not go"
 "Ah but you would go." He dropped her hands, saying, as he turned away, ITO each one his own destiny. l have met you year too late.'
 Have you?" She spoke in clear, low voice, then moved forward, and in q few seconds was lost to sight. Roger Meredith followed her with his eyes till the crowd hid her from view, then he sighed shortly, and turned irritably on nervous-looking, fair-haired man who was advancing to meet him and said:
 q thought you were never coming, Harry. Is my horse ready"
 "Yes; Jim is waiting with it in the shrubbery; it's almost time to start. Have you found out from the girl what time the Halcross carriage was ordered?"
 "Yes, for 2:30; and it wants four minutes now"
 We are in luck tonight, Roger. Lady Halcross is wearing most of
 
 immense sum with the old lady's jew els, to say nothing of Clara Stan | hopes emeralds." q cannot do it; I throw up-the job"
 What! Showing the white feather at this hour? Besides, there's no risk, my dear boy! Who could recognize you in a crape mask, or suspect the bishops nephew? There's not been knight of the road in these quiet country lanes for the last 80 years. It will wake the good folk up give them something to talk about"
 D. the good people; it's a hate ful job robbing women. I tell you I won't do it, Harry" "You seem to have forgotten that women have pretty we'll 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 deuced fool to forge your fla took him to see Vera, knowing her and her kind"
 "I know I did We'll he shall have the $4,Oo0 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 I know it's im- possible to raise the money in any other way, so here goes" And with light, mocking laugh Roger Mere dith turned on his heel, and his friend whistled softly.
 The moon had gone i'll, and the dark country side seemed deserted; Lady Halcross' carriage rumbled safely along her ladyship dozing hap oily, while her pretty debutante daughter and Clara Stanhope kept up an animated, if whispered conversa- tion. After 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.
 "I shall meet him again. she thought; "and then-'
 Her reverie was suddenly inter- rupted.
 The click of revolver resounded through the country lane, and the forgotten cry of a past century, Your money or your life" reused sleepy James and the easy-going old coachman to state of cringing ter TOT.
 A highwayman seemed to have started out of the hedge. The car riage lamps revealed that he was tall and thin; he wore a crape mask and a riding cloak, and carried himself with an assumed swagger.
 Hands up, my good men, or l firei Now, ladies, while l cover the serv- ants with my revolver, am afraid l must ask you to step out of the car riage, and hand me your jewelry. want all the valuables that you are wearing, and as l mean business and have no time to waste, l must have the jewels before I count ten, or" A horribly suggestive click of his revolver sent Lady Halcross flying out of the carriage with an agility remarkable in stout and elderly chaperon.
 "Take my diamonds, take them all, you wicked, cowardly mani" she sobbed, tearing off her gleaming, glittering gems. "Only spare our lives. Gime 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 4rsr, l-ntc