Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-19
BENEDICT GORDON.
81 REVERE RODGERS.
Written for the SUNDAY GLoHr.l
CHAPTER XII.

the two ladies. were once more seated at
the breakfast table. Young Harold Allwine,
though improving rapidly, was as yet con-
fined 10 his room. The will had been read
In the presence Of the few relatives and
many friends of the family. The place had
been overruu with police and detectives
who were anxious to secure the enormous
re ward that had been offered for the appre-
hension Of the murderers, but as yet not the
slightest clue had been obtained that would
point to any particular person or persons
as having committed the crime
Mr.. Larkin, the famiiy's attorney, had re-
quested the presence Of Gordon and Browne
until certain business connected with the
estate had been settled, and although they
were desirous of continuing their journey
they graciously acquiesced This was now
the day set for their departure and tile SER
wants had been instructed to prepare an
elaborate breakfast feast in their honor
AS they silently seated themselves about
the bountifully laden table, Miss Priscilla,
with her sharp little bird-like eyes fastened
upon Jollyby, said a short grace. When
she had concluded Helen, in a faltering
voice and half averted eyes, tried to thank
Benedict and Browne for their many kind
nesses to her, and her brother, during what
she termed very trying period.
AS she was proceeding her Aunt inter-
rupted by declaring that she had never seen
a girl so constituted as her niece, why
said Miss Priscilla, cannot you control your
feelings as do. Helen?"
oh, aunt, replied her niece, buryiug
her face IN the white folds Of her handker-
chief, II can never thank Mr. Gordon and
Mr. Browne for their kindness to us during
the past few days
IF Miss Allwine could only know"
slowly began Benedict 'of the pain she
causes my friend and myself by attempting
70 thank us for so triAing service am
sure that she would say nothing more about
it,"
Spoken like a gentleman, and very
nicely said indeed" cried Aunt Priscilla
who had been keeping time to Gordon's
words with her forehnger and her head, and
! wish also to add my very humble
thanks to the gentlemen for the heroic ser
vices they have 50 kindly rendered. have
already rewarded Michael in a financial
manner for the
Michael" exclaimed Jollyby, pausing
in the act of raising his cup to his lips;
what the dew mean what did he do2u
What did he dor" repeated Miss Pris-
ella, with a cutting glance at Jollyby,
what did the brave fellow not do would be
a better question think for you to ask
Jolyby2"
Brave, Aunt, did you say9" queried
Helen, with an amused smile hovering up.
on her lips, you surely do not mean to say
--u
4 mean exactly what / say, snapped
Miss Priscilla, and l am surprised that you
and Iollyby should dare to question the
courageous qualities that you know Michael
TO possess"
u only have his word for it." said Jolly
by, giving a sly glance at Gordon.
Isn't that proof Of what say, triumph
antiy cried Miss Priscilla, "and haven't
both of you heard him say often when he
was in the army in India, how one day Il
became necessary for his regiment to charge
up a steep hill to attack the enemy, who
were greatly their superior in numbers, and
inladditiou were intrenched behind huge
and almost impreguable Notifications, and
when the General gave the order to charge,
not a man moved but Michael, and he alone
charged up that hill in perfect avalanche
of shot, and didn't the Queen send him a
letter and some medals both of which he
has unfortunately lost, or would have him
show them to you. But l call that courage
do you not Mr.. GordonP" inquired Miss
EIlSclllaf EtAuCiuk Al GOluOu
But the last time he told me the story"
interrupted Jonyby, "he said the trifing
incident occurred IN the Crimean War"
And when l heard it the last time"
laughed Helen, 1T was during our own
Civil War that the incident happened"
"And if am not badly mistaken" said
Browne, laughing Il think / heard Mr.
Flannery tell our boy that the charge was
made out West ia one of the Indian up
risings."
"Well, " snapped Miss Priscilla, che told
me that the charge was made in India but
no doubt he has seen service IN many couu-
tries, and I suppose he has distinguished
himself OH numerous occasions, as he is
one of the most fearless of men, why gentle
men, she continued, turning to Browne
and Gordon, II would as soon think of
Jumping from the acqueduct bridge as to
allow any one other than Michael to drive
me to town behind Dolly"
"Oh, Aunt" laughingy replied Helen,
you know that Dolly is as safe as any
horse could be-
Well, Helen Ailwine," exclaimed Miss
Priscilla, how can you sit in that chair
and offer such a monstrous assertion when
you know in your heart that Dolly is at
times the most ungovernabe of beasts, and
without Michael to handle ner, would be
perfectly unmanageable. It is true that
she Is in the neghborhood of twenty, but
IL am not mistaken horse of that age is
considered in its prime; isn't it, Mr.. Cor
don2" inquired Aunt Priscilla.
Well. I am not authority by any means,
OH horse flesh drawled Benedict, but
have heard Of some living to the age of /
forty, and I should judge that If the animal
in question IS a descendant Of some one Of
these longevity beasts. she is about now in
the frolicsome stage Of horsehood. and no \
doubt requires a master hand to guide her /
faltering, I mean elastic, footsteps"
There now Esther triumphautly cried .
her aunt, you have heard Mr. Gordon's 4
argument in support Of what have repeat
edly toldy you, aud his allusion to her being \
frolicsome and elastic recalls to my mind /
the very narrow escape I had from a serious
runaway accident only last week, and had
il not been for Michaels bravery and pres
ence Of mind on that occasion, am certain
that I would not be sitting here now Il