Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1902-10-10
Won by the
Sword ~ ~
By IoHN pIcNNsoN SHERMAN.


III II" ANN IOus LAAAAAAn AltAtAAANAkA
M said Sir Charles Anthony, join
ing me as 1 sat moodily drinking alone
in the White Horse inn, and thrusting
close to mine his wicked, handsome
face, "You are an evil case-a younger
SON crowded out of your brothers
house; no chance for preferment at
court; no means of liyelihoodi at the
end of your resources"
Here be drew out score Of gold
pieces and jingled them right musical
ly. / eyed him askance, for / hated
the man. And presently he went on;
"Bethink you how many bottles of
noble wine, how many nights of gam
ing with dice and cards, what gener-
GUS meals and goodly raiment lie in
these golden coins. And therefore l
think you are the man for my work"
"What is your work2" / asked, keep
ing my temper in check.
"Zoundsl" he cried, with an evil
laugh. "'Tis like play. With half a
dozen of my bullies you stop a carriage
in which rides a pretty maid hold
most dear. You make a play at alb
duction with much noise and elashing
of steel and stage business. Then
come to the rescue. We cross swords,
you fall and l carry off the maid in
triumph, her reseuer and protector"
''You have forgotten my temper in
your catalogue Of my failings, Sir
Charles Anthony" said, rising. 81 will
play no villain in any plot of yours.
But as to crossing swords" Here
laid my hand on my hilt and bowed
to him.
With that Sir Charles sprang mp also
with fury in his face, and while one
might count two score, we stared in
each others eyes. Twice his hand
stole TO his belt as if he would draw
steel, but in the end my gaze mas
tered his and scowling evily he turned
his back and strobe from the house.
A woman's scream reused me from
my thoughts as l strobe up the mar
row side street that led to my humble
lodgings. 1t seemed to come from an
alley close at hand, yet when
searched its depths with eyes and ears
it was as silent as the grave. Twas
dark hole and prudence whispered to
4 AIA NAAE unhNnIuAt ibnHs Il CT 4 hAlCNs
though l knew not how ] knew, that
it was good woman who had
screamed and no creature of the
streets. So, with drawn sword, tip
toed into the darkness till 1 saw
nutter of white against the wall
"Who cries for help?" said loudly,
stepping forward.
at concerns you not" answered a
surly voice, and dark figure came
boldly out. "Be gone and mind your
own affairs"
''What have you here2" / asked,
pressing forward. But the man barred
my way, threatening to spit me on his
blade. LOath to use the steel tin
/ saw further into the matter, / caught
him by the wrist as he raised his arm,
and with a twist and trip sent him
sprawling, and slipped past him into
the turn of the alley. Here twas
dark as a pocket and I could see moth
ing. But as l felt about my hand
closed on the soft, flimsy stuff of q
woman's gown, and under it was a
woman's breast-a girls.
"Hai" cried, "'Tis some wench you
are misusing."
"You mistake" said a civil voice
from behind the girl. d" 'Tis my young
sister, who viii out o. nights, and we
but take her home"
81 tell you again you are meddling
in private matter" broke ia the irst
mans voice. 'Tis for the girls good,
and we have authority Stay longer
at your peril"
was half convinced and was on the
point Of Withdrawing with an easy
conscience when the girl caught my
hand and carried il 20 her face. She
was gagged.
"fou knavesl" I cried, tearing loose
the scarf from her mouth. ''Who is
this you have gagged2"
With an oath the man behind the
girl stepped out and ran toward the
street crying for a lanthern and blow
ing q whistle shrilly. Grasping the
girl by the arm I dashed forward.
thrusting ahead of me as went. Half
way out my point took something soft
that cried out and fell AT the alleys
mouth / could see better and here a
NNtAA n AAH "A q AttHHNA|NA" va mt mEAENANa
spitted him like a lark and he went
down in a heap.
In the street thought to have clear
way, but the whistle brought three
OF four men who set upon me with
swords. Calling to the girl 20 run for
her life ] faced about briskly to meet
/ their attack. But she would not and
went back with me against a wall
where they pressed me hard. Two ]
piaked so that they drew out with
gronna and curses, but one Of the
others got in shrewOy on my left
shoulder. was in evil case when the
girl cried in my ear that there was a
door az our backs. With a shout I
sprang out and drove them back q
steli then turning. ran after her within
she door and bolted and barred il in
their faces.
Within was utter darkness, and we
felt our way along through a narrow
passage fiil we reached 8 room with