The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-08-15
HIGHWAY,
WOOING
BY JAMES II. sEARO ,
Copyright. 1901. by James II. Beard 4
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BY JAMES II. 5EARO

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1t is no small matter TO lose hoii,
home and friends. Even at the mo
ment of the quarrel had realize,:
that, but now. alone on the da.k rold
eli which the sacrifice was like to
mean came upon me with rc,loublcl
force. Stiib 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 q
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 I brought my beast up with
Q jerk and listened. In a moment It
came again-a cry for help.
! knew every foot OF the country
about. and ! was sure that the sound
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 ths brush.
well knowing that Mt this point the
woods were far tco dense to drive a
horse through. After what seemed an
interminable time ! reached the sec
end road and stood gazing up and
down In the faint light. Then
marked my quarry. u dark, struggling
mass, and again | charged wildly for
ward, sword I'm hand.
II was q sight TO fill saint with the
lust for murder. Two evil looking ruff
fans had just succeeded I'm pulling n
girl from her saddle and were now
bent on tying her hands. The maid
was all but spent from her exertions
and in q pitiable 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
rushes 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
mere scratch. The man still on his
feet was far superior to me I'm swords
manship. but ] was young and agile,
and l 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 I turned. A beam Of light from
| the rising moon forced its way through
| the tangie Of boughs and Lit up her
face.
/ recognized II instantly-that calm,
proud face which ! knew 30 well and
had so little reason to love. As looked
Mt her then ] was forced to admit what
my anger had made me deny many
times that very morning-that she was
! a magnificent woman.
Now that the danger was quite over
I was rather Mt loss what to do next.
but the girl relieved me OF this embar-
rassment.
L IL am travelling to Aldgate and have
lost my way" she said. ''If you can
set me on the right road. I shall be
still more indebted to you, granting
that possible" this with a glance at
the two fallen men,
my horse Is on the new road some
fifty yards from here" said. Il my
self au travelling to Aldgate and shall
be glad to offer you my escort"
Which ! shall be even more glad to
accept" she said quickly. "and were
to meet more ruffians might not find
another rescuer 80 ready at my call"
A short distance back the woods
were more open. and after helping her
to 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 ]
knew she was reading me as only wo-
men can read men. but possessed one
little secN.t which l mentally defied
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
i
asperating. for II showed clearly that
she had decided ] was q clerk.
81 have no business I'm Aldgate."
said tartly. "Aidgate ls n seaport. and
am headed for the low countries"
The warsy' she questioned quickly.
THE wars" ! repeated. with my
head high
She answered this with low laugh
and question that made my cheeks
burn.
what has made you suddenly de
sire TO turn sold.erT'
The girl seemed to read my past life
like an open book. but one fact she had
not read. nor did | intend she should
Still there WAS no reason why | might
not tell her part of the truth.
My father" | said. has rather {
inherited somewhat OF It. We disagreed
on a small matter"
"Your speech is brief and to tn,
point" said my companion. And now
principally believe because you have
, not asked me. ! will tell you why ] an
/, riding alone TO Aldgate. My father ha
rather quick temper. People sa!
, that l have inherited somewhat OF II
, We disagreed on small matter"
And then in flash ! saw il all. VIII.
, she was on the road. Truly there neve
| was such n trick OF fate rs that W
' should meet on this night.
''It seems that few mad words hay
cost " both our homes." 1 said.