St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-07-09
HIGHWAY WOOING.

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, I merely set my
lips tight and rode on, on. When
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
a jerk and listened. In a moment 1t
came again-a cry for help.
| knew every foot Of the country
about, and I was sure that the sound
came from an old branch Of the road,
now seldom used, which ran parallel
to the one I was on. The two were
separated by perhaps fifty yards.
In a moment was out of the saddle
and had scrambled into the brush,
we'll knowing that at this point the
woods were far too dense to drive a
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 l
marked my quarry, dark, struggling
mass, and again l charged wildly for
ward, sword in hand.
1t was q sight to fill saint with the
lust for murder. Two evil looking ruff
fans had just succeeded in pulling
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 we'll 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 I could disengage, but it was
mere scratch. The man still on his
feet was far superior to me in swords
manship, but l was young and agile
and I 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 I turned. A beam of light from
the rising moon forced its way through
the tangle of boughs and lit up hel
face.
I recognized it instantly-that calm
. proud face which I knew so well anC
: had so little reason to love. AS | looked
at her then was forced to admit Wha
t nv anger had made 4he deny man.
times that very morning-that she wa
,, a magnificent woman.
Now that the danger was quite owe
o I was rather at loss what to do next
e but the girl relieved me of this embal
rassment.
81 am travelling to Aldgate and hay
s lost my way" she said, "1f you ca
set me on the right road, l shall b
still more indebted to you, grantin
that possible" this with a glance
the two fallen men.
+ my horse is on the new road som
5 fifty yards from here" l said. Il m.
It self am travelling to Aldgate and sha
r be glad to offer you my escort"
(Which l shall be even more glad
d accept" she said quickly, "and were
:. to meet more rufians l might not fir
20 another rescuer so ready at my CALI
., A short distance back the wooC
- were more open, and after helping b
Is to remount l led her horse to the ne
le road. came upon Edward and swul
e. into the saddle.
For some time we rode on in silenc
could feel her eyes, however, and
knew she was reading me as only W
men can read men, but possessed oil
y little secret which l mentally deh'
her to guess.
Z SIT is very fortunate for me tn
= commerce should call you to Aldga
on this particular night" she said
last, and she could have said nothil
which | would have found more G
asperating, for it showed clearly tn
she had decided | was a clerk.
II have no business in Aldgate, y
KRA said tartly. "Aldgate is seaport, a
w | am headed for the low countries"
i "The wars" she questioned quick
"The wars" l repeated, with
} head high.
She answered this with low lau
and question that made my chez
burn.
ar; "What has made you suddenly
an sire to turn soldier"
.,o The girl seemed to read my past
:, like an open book, but one fact she
not read, nor did l intend she shot
'u Still there was no reason why | mi
as not tell her part Of the truth.
ue- "My father" l said, "has rathe
lti- quick temper. People say that l hi
sh, inherited somewhat Of it. We disagr
ing on a small matter"
s "Your speech is brief and to
ew point" said my companion. "And n
'o.t principally l believe because you h
not asked me, l will tell you why
" riding alone to Aldgate. My father
,;oI- pnOnIn