The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-08-05

HIGHWAY
WOOLNG
BY JAMES II. BEARC
Copyright, 1901. by James H. Beard

menL OF the quarrel l 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, l 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 l brought my beast up with
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
came from an old branch of the road
now seldom used, which ran parallel
to the one l 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
horse through. After what seemed an
interminable time l reached the sec
ond road and stood gazing up and
down in the faint light. Then
marked my quarry, dark, struggling
mass, and again charged wildly for
ward, sword In hand.
1t was a sight to fill saint with the
lust for murder. Two evil looking ruff
fans had just succeeded in pulling a
girl from her saddle and were now
bent on tying her hands, The maid
was all but spent from her exertions
and in a 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 rosA was bad. and
this helped me, as l..ere 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 a
mere scratch. The man still on his
feet was far superior to me in 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 l ran him through
The girl was standing by her horse
when l turned. A beam Of light from
the rising moon forced its way through
the tangle Of boughs and lit up her
| face.
| | recognized 1t instantly-that calm,
proud face which l 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 morning-that she was
magnificent woman.
Now that the danger was quite over
was rather at loss what to do next,
but the girl relieved me Of this embar-
| rassment.
Il am travelling to Aldgate and have
lost my way" she said. "If you can
set me on the right road, shall be
still more indebted to you, granting
that possible" this with glance at
the two fallen men.
my horse is on the new road some
fifty yards from here" said. IT my
self am travelling to Aldgate and shall
be glad to offer you my escort"
(Which | shall be even more glad to
accept" she said quickly, land were l
to meet more ruffians | might not find
another rescuer so 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 l
knew she was reading me as only wo-
men can read men, but possessed one
little secret which | 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
which ! would have found more ex-
asperating, for it showed clearly that
she had decided was a clerk.
| II have no business in Aldgate," l
said tartly. "Aldgate is a seaport, and
am headed for the low countries"
''The wars?" she questioned quickly.
''The wars" l 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 soldier?"
The girl seemed to read my past life
not read, nor did | intend she should.
Still there was no reason why might
not tell her part of the truth
my father" l said, has rather a
quick temper. People say that have
inherited somewhat of it. We disagreed
on a small matter"
"Your speech is brief and to the
point" said my companion "And now,
principally ! believe because you have
not asked me, will tell you why am
riding alone to Aldgate. My father has
rather a quick temper. People say
that have inherited somewhat Of it.
We disagreed on a small matter"
And then in flash | saw it all. why
she was on the road. Truly there never
was such a trick of fate as that we
should meet on this night
1T seems that few mad words have
cost us both our homes" | said
my quarrel was more than few
mad wordsp' she cried angrily. "He
would have married me to a churl-a
clerk, scribblerp
| bit my lip at that and said nothing.
knew well enough to whom he would
have married her
"A clerk" she continued, with no
more spirit than a leveret, one who
I loves a book better than a sword. IT'S
Said he does needlework like the maids
of the house, and can well believe
| it,
1t is easy for idle tongues to invent
lies when a man does not follow the
fashion of his age. l had killed too
little and read too much
Hast ever heard of Sir Francis Bay
ard?" she asked, suddenly changing
her tone.
"Yes," l answered, often
81 am his daughter" she said brief
ly.
l already knew that well enough,
but she seemed to expect some sur
prise, SO drew in my breath quickly
and gave low exclamation 1t suf-
feed, and she continued:
II am his daughter, and we have
quarreled because l would not marry
a churl." She seemed to have a spe-
cial relish for that title.
Il have left his house, and go back