Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-11-12
HIGHWAY,
WOOLVG
BY JAMES n. BEARD
Copyright, 1901, by James II. Beard

1t is no small matter to lose botl
home and friends. Even at the mo
ment Of the quarrel | had realized
that, but now, alone Oh the dark road
all which the sacrifice was like to
mean came upon me with redoubled
force. Still there was no thought in
my mind of turning back. Though my
heart was bursting, | merely set my
| lips tight and rode on, on. When a
mans temper Is bad, his spurs are
busy. Poor Edward sprang along in
great leaps, threatening every moment
to bring us both down with broken
necks.
Suddenly l brought my beast up with
jerk and listened. In a moment it
came again-a cry for help.
| knew every foot Of the country
about, and l was sure that the sound
came from an old branch of the road,
now seldom used, which ran parallel
to the one | was on. The two were
separated by perhaps fifty yards.
In moment was out Of the saddle
and had scrambled into the brush,
well knowing that at this point the
woods were far too dense to drive q
horse through. After what seemed an
interminable time l reached the sec
ond road and stood gazing up and
down In the faint light Then |
marked my quarry, n dark, struggling
mass, and again I charged wildly for
ward, sword in hand.
1t was sight to fill saint with the
lust for murder Two evil looking ruff
fans had just succeeded in pulling a
girl from her saddle and were now
bent on tying her hands The maid
was all but spent from her exertions
and In a pitlable plight, her dress torn
and her hair flying in wild confusion.
The villains were well pleased to strug-
gle with one defenseless girl, but, by
Our Lady, in another moment they
were glad enough to drop her and to
think only of their own lives.
The light In the road was bad, and
this helped me, as there was small
chance for sword play, only fierce
PUSHES and quick cuts, with little at
tempt at defense. One of the men went
down with my sword in his throat be-
fore we had fairly begun the fight.
His fellow touched me on the arm be-
fore / could disengage, but 1t was a
mere scratch. The man still on his
feet was far superior to me in swords
but / was young and agile,
and 1 sprang from side to side until
he lost track of my blade In the bad
light, and | ran him through.
The girl was standing by her horse
when l turned A beam OF light from
the rising moon forced its way through |
the tangle of boughs and lit up her
face
1 recognized it instantly-that calm,
proud face which knew so we'll and
had so little reason to love- AS / looked
1t her then was forced to admit what
my anger had made me deny many
lines that very morning-that she was
| magnificent woman.
Now that the danger was quite over
was rather at loss what to do next,
)ut the girl relieved me Of this embar-
'assment
Il am travelling to Aldgate and have
ost my way" she said. 'Tf you can
Jet me on the right road, l shall be
IT'LL more indebted to you, granting
hat possible" this with q glance at
he two fallen men.
my horse is on the new road some
lfty yards from here" l said 81 my
elf am travelling to Aldgate and shall
'e glad to offer you my escort"
(Which shall be even more glad to
ccept," she said quickly, "and were l
o meet more ruffians l might not find
mother rescuer 80 ready at my call"
A short distance back the woods
we're more open, and after helping her
o remount | led her horse to the new
DAD, came upon Edward and swung
ltO the saddle.
For some time we rode on in silence
could feel her eyes, however, and
new she was reading me as only wO-
len can read men, but possessed one
tile secret which l mentally defed ,
er to guess. ,
at is very fortunate for me that
should call you to Aldgate q
n this particular night" she said at {
Ist, and she could have seid nothing