The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-10-23
A MODERN H|GHWAYMAN
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BY CLAUDE ASKEW.
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CLARA Stanhope looked hard at her
u partner; he interested her and it
was seldom man did that. She had
actually danced four times with Rog-
er Meredith it was quite against her
strict code that now she was sitting
out with him in dark corner. 1t
was the evening of the Medford ball;
all the country was there-the big
fish and the small fry; it was gay
and animated scene; curious glances
were cast at Clara and her partner,
for she was the big catch of the coun-
try. Little was known of Roger Mer-
edith beyond the fact that he was
handsome scapegrace, and the
bishop of Radford's nephew.
"He is almost man l could care
for" laughed Clara Stanhope to her
self; land what is there to prevent
him liking me? have youth, good
looks and money, and I am tired of
a lonely life; he may be scamp
very likely he is, but I can ford to
marry whom l would, and l like this
man-hugely."
II am leaving this. section to-mor-
row morning" Roger Nieredith's
voice broke in suddenly on the girls
meditation; $50 tonight will mean
good-by for many years, / am afraid.
I am off to the far west
.You are going abroad?"
"Ncs-for some time. Hark! they
are striking up a waltz. Shall we
dance it togethcr?"
impossible. Lady HalcroSs. who is
chapcroning mc-I am staying with
her, you llnow-ordered the carriage
ct 2:3O sharp. 1t is nearly that now,
and she hates to keep the horses
waiting. I am afraid l must 90 and
get my cloak. You will not bc stop
ping with your uncle again before
you 90 abroad?"
"No: so this is good-by. l have
barely known You for three weeks,
Miss Stanhope, yet l can assure you
that you are the only woman | have
ever regretted saying good-by to-"
His speech and manner were uncon-
ventional, but there was ring of
truth in his voice.
Clara Stanhope caught her breath;
she realized that for the first time
in her life a man had touched her
heart. She found no pleasure in her
maiden freedom and almost mascu-
line independence; she became frank
ly primitive and wholly natural.
Crimsoning even TO her brow, she
asked slowly:
"Why should we say Goodbye"
~My friends call me bad card;
besides. I've fallen on evil ways. II
had met you earlier in my life-well,
well. we are all pawns on Fate's
chess ssboard so goodnight, Miss Stan
hope-and good-by.'
"As you like, but remember If you
ever care TO see me again, l am 2s,
and my own mistress"
She gathered up the folds of her
tulle ball gown and stood up, a tall
and splendid specimen of young wo,
manhood She was brown-haired
with deep coloring; she carried her.
self superbly, and wore, as few wo.
men could. magnificent tiara of
emeralds-a famous Stanhope heir.
loom.
Roger Meredith caught her hands
impulsively.
IF you were only a beggar girl
Id-takc you abroad with me; ou,
TO new life in the west"
81 might not 60"
"Ah. but you would 90" lie
dropped her hands, saying, as he
turned away, "To each one his own
destiny. ! have met you u year toe
late"
"Have you?" She spoke in clear
low voice, then moved forward, anC
in few seconds was lost TO sight
Roger Meredith followed her with
his eyes till tl$ crowd hid her from
view. then he sighed shortly, anC
turned irrtably on a nervous-looking
fair-haired man who was advancing
20 meet him and said:
81 thought you were never coming
Harry. is my horse ready"
"Yes; Jim is waiting with It II
the shrubbery; it's almost time t.
start. Have you found out from tn,
girl what time the Halcross carriag'
was ordered?"