Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-22


when the doors were unbarred and
Lady Ann saw her brother and hel
lover.
"She gave little cry of sorrow tt
see her brothers pale face, and wen,
to him with outstretched arms to help
him to the couch beside the fire, pu,
through it all she flashed smile at
the lover that made Marks heart beat
warm and glad. Fortunately, there
were no other guests there, but her
brothers betrothed, Miss Fanshaw
who was entirely loyal, though her
guardian, with whom she lived was a
strict Puritan. 1t was thought best
by her to go home the next day, ST.
that she might run no risk by having
her guardian send his men for her
for these were in the Puritan interest
and might learn there was a wounded
soldier there, and cause his arrest.
The morning she left, she had
fingered by her lover on the light
pretext of drawing a strange sea bird
that had been blown inland by q
recent storm, and brought to her by
one of the gamekeepers.
| Her hand trembled a little. and the
drawing was not like any bird l ever
saw, so that Mark Trelawney drew for
her a sea bird flying with wide out
stretched wings, as he had seen such
from the cliffs of Cornwall in stormy
weather
She had declared in jest it was
hint to her to begone, and so con-
j trlVed, with Woman's tender wit, to
say good-by with laughter instead of
ears through these were very near, and
she shook the paper piayfully at Mark
and vowed revenge as she rode awav.
Lady Ann was so good a nurse that.
with Marks aid, her brother was soon
on his feet again. Miss Fanshaw did
not dare come again, but message
and token came now and then bv
way OF the sister, who loved her well
and was pleased her brother had 81
chosen.
| They were all at table one dav the
horses saddled for short ride in the
sun after the meal was over. when
suddenly the old butler entered, bear
Ing trencher and a pie upon Il.
covered with snowy napkin.
Every one gazed at him with sur-
prise, but he advanced smiling to NV
lady's seat, and said:-
| MISS Fanshaw sends my lady this
PIE with a greeting, and bids ner re-
member her wager, which is fairly
won. She hath but to look under tho
crust and own herself outwitted-if
my lady will forgive me-" ended the
| butler with low bow, for he lika1
not the end of the message
What wager?' exclaimed Charles
her brother, looking at his sister with
smiling surprise.
| Lady Ann raised the carving knife,
but she smiled not, and her dark eyes
seemed to grow darker and wider.
! What wager made your asked
Mark, and he, too, looked grave.
eco Challis, and give the mes
senger some refreshment, and bid him
wait for my answer and so soon as
he had gone LILY lady lifted the crust,
and within upon the filling was Marks
bit of drawing-the wings outsprea1.
That cipher is not hard to read.
Thank God, the horses are ready!
Twas but minutes sobbing and
farewell and they were gone. The
horses were fresh and ready for their
work, and they knew every by-pah
through the wood which would take
1 70
away.
| Lady Ann felt a strong hope OIL
their escape, when clanking of iror
and clatter of hoOfs announced the
arrival of a troop of horse in he
courtyard. The officer in command
wore an orange scarf, a badge of the
parliamentary SIDE He was heavy
and deliberate person, and having
entered the parlor. he seated himself
with scant ceremony, and had the SER
wants called in for examination. The
butler was scared quite out of his
wits, and gave confused account OF
some guests, and a wager won or lost
he knew not which but luckily left
out altogether the date Of their coming
or going. The officer at last sent for
the young lady herself.
when she entered the room he
babe her sternly to tell him no false
hoods. I do not know how she re-
iplied, with her head high.
cat what hour did thy brother,
and the malignant, Mark Trelawney,
arrive here?'
She answered briefly but truly.
when did they leave, if they
have left?'
what wilt thou do with them, an
tell thee?' she asked in return, with
a look of child-like simplicity, her
pretty white arms folded meekly over
her breast like maid at school.
"'Do with them? Why, clap them
in jail, as they deserve, or perchance,
swing them by the heels if they per-
sist in their stubbornness,' for he sus-
pected she was playing with him.
I'm that case, thou may'st look till
thou findest them. 1t will help thee
not
"In vain he stormed. She refused
to utter another word, and he ordered
: rigorous search of the manor-houss
and out-buildings.
From the front window there was
view of the church tower and the
, clock thnroop AS tha officer return al