New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1902-07-16
HIGHWA Y
WOOING
BY JAMES Il. BEARD
Copyright, 1901, By James II. Beard
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It is no small matter to lose both
home and friends. Even at the mo-
ment of the quarrel had realized
that, but now, alone on 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 brought my beast up with
a jerk and listened In a moment it
came again cry For help
knew every foot Ut the country
about, and 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 I reached the sec
ond road and stood gazing up and
down in the faint light. Then I
marked my quarry, dark, struggling
mass, and again l charged wildly for
ward, sword In hand.
It was sight to I'LL saint with the
lust for murder. Two evil looking ruff
fans had just succeeded in pulling q
girl from her saddle and were now
bent On tying her hands. The maid
was all but spent from her exeruons
and in pitiable plight, her dress torn
and her hair flying in wild confusion
The villains were well pleased to stug-
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
rushes and quick cuts, with little at
tempt at defense. One the men went
down with my sword in his throat be-
fore we had fairly begun the fight
Hts fellow touched me ON the arm be-
fore could disengage, but It was a
Emefe scratch. The man still On h1s
feet was far superior to me in swords
!mans4ip, but / was young and agile,
and gprang from side to side until
he lost track Of my blade In the bad
hight, and l ran him through.
The girl was standing by her horse
when turned. A beam of light from
the rising moon forced its way through
the tangle Of boughs and lit. up her
face.
I recognized It instantly-that calm,
proud face which knew so well and
had SO little reason to love- As looked
at her then was forced to admit what
my anger had made me deny many
times that very mormng-that she was
magnificent woman.
Now that the danger was quite over
q was rather at q loss what to do next,
but the girl relieved me Of this embar.
rassment
II am travelling to ALLOCATE and have
lost my way" she said. IT you can
set me on the right road, I shall be
still more indebted to you, granting
that possible" this with q glance at
the two fallen men.
my horse Is on the new road some
fifty yards from here" said II my
self am travelling to Aldgate and shall
he glad to offer you my escort -
(Which shall be even more glad to
accept" she said quickly, land were I
to meet more rufians might not find
another rescuer SO ready at my CALI
A short distance back the woods
were more open, and after helping her
ito remount led her horse to the new
road, came upon Edward and swung
into the saddle.
For some time we rode on in silence.
could feel her eyes, however, and I
knew she was reading me as only wo-
men can read men, but I possessed one
,a1ttle secret which I mentally defed
her to guess. ~.
1T Is very fortunate for me that
commerce should call you to Aldgate
on this particular night" she said at
last, and she could have said nothing
which I would have found more e1-
asperating, for 1t showed clearly that
she had decided was g clerk.
II have no business in Aldgate," /
said tartly. "Aldgate is seaport, and
am headed for the low countries"
1.-THE wars?' she questioned quickly.
1.-THE wars" I repeated, with my
head high. >s..... -. ....,.2@
She answered this with low laugh