Middletown transcript., 1902-11-15
cosrrEUEp FROM LAST WEEK

You mount first.
While his companion took his seat n
the saddle, Lieutenant Digby gave coin
to the hostler and said, cafelessiy:
"a good servant, my lad, never gos-
sips. II you take this to mind and prac-
tice ii, when next come this way | will
remember you. liked not your talk
about your good mistress's aunt who has
just left; it is not seemly."
But meant no harm.
mo, I'll be bound you did not; but
evil comes with the habit. .
II will remember" /" said the man hum
bly. and the two men rode off.
aYou'ye fixed the matter in his mind
now for good and all, said the lieuten-
ants companion.
$50 1 fear. 1t were better to have
said nothing, I dare say"
''But why this care?''
'I will tell you. was standing near
when the woman drove up last night,
and when the wind threatened to blow
aside the old woman's veil, she put up
her hand to draw it more closely. On
the hand was mitten, but when ! saw
how huge it was, and black wrist, put
two and two together and felt convinced
that fair Mistress Priscilla had some ne
gro in charge on his way to the Line, and
in all probability that it was Doctor Holts
Jock. AS it was my deviltry that got
Jock his lashing, Ishall keep silent and
Mistress Priscilla may go on her way in
peace"
Thereupon the lieutenant related the
: incident which took place at the muster,
and the dire results which had come to
Jock in consequence. His companion
was greatly interested in the recital, as
indeed he would have been in anything
which related to the fair Priscilla, for in
the one moment when she had turned
her gaze upon him and he had seen the
luster and deepness of her wondrous dark
eyes, he was Immediately possessed of an
overwhelming desire to see her again, to
speak to her, to follow her to the ends of
the world If need be. It was the eyes
which had bewitched him; he cared not
for complexion or features or goodly car
riage once he had looked into her wond-
srful, shining eyes, which, as she looked
at him, seemed lighted with some sort
of excitement that made them shine
gloriously. The contrast between her
face, SO calm, almost impassiye, and the
shining eyes so deep, tremulous and
glowing at the time, transfxed his re-
gard. Now he knew the cause. 1t was
fear for her companion. By great effort
she had controlled her features, but
could not the expression of her eyes, and
consequently he had seen them ahame
with the light of an unselish deed where
fear was mixed with determination. He
rode out of the yard as in dream, while
his companion looked at him curiously,
admiring meanwhile the well-knit form
the strong, unhandsome features, which
yet had such trick Of lighting up with
q smile that one would swear the first |
glance had wronged him, that he was a
handsome man after all. His name was
Reginald Stanley, young English sur
veyor, recently come from Connecticut |
TO lay out, for rich relative, lands |
lItely granted by the new govern
ment. His family was great one in
England, but he was the fourth son, and
10 had nothing to expect save what he
;ould earn himself by his work of sur
Fsying the wild lands in this region. He
lad been somewhat disheartened at the
'utset, but the unexpected sight of so
much bewildering beauty put into his
leart lightness never before experienced
nd which surprised even himself. As
le turned at last to speak to the ieuten-
mt, one Of his rare smiles turned his rug
ed face to an expression of such beauty,
hat the lieutenant wondered at the
mans charm. The friendship between
he two was of recent date, but bade fair
o be permanent, for the lieutenant,
hought inclined to be wild and fond of
rolic, was yet kind-hearted, handsome
md chivalrous young fellow fellow whom
Reginald felt sure he should continue to ,
ike.
They had started in a direction OPP
osite to that pursued by Priscilla, when
the lieutenant said:
81 fear me for Priscilla if she rides late :
o-night, or even until afternoon. Twenty ]
niles win take her to long region of /.
Toods where wolves abound. 1 regret /
i'd not warn her."
"I will follow after, and as have my
I'm l may be help in case she comes to
arm"
The surveyor spoke lightly, but as if
lily determined as to his course, and the :,
eutenant, after second thought, clap
ed his hand to his side, where were
race of pistols, and answered, heartily: !
THANK you for showing me my duty ;
, clearly. / will go with you. Other
latters may wait their turn, which will
,me after Mistress Priscilla has safely
nded her charge away from reach of !
ie Doctors long whip" In
Sooth to say, the adventure suited well /.
is character, which was Of the there to-
ay and there tomorrow order" and in
hich the succor OF beautiful damsels !.
as not an unwelcome incident. Besides,
9 did not care to leave his new friend !;
one to the undertaking, unused as he i
as to wolves and their habits. So, with
1t more words, the young men wheeled 1
bout and started at quick pace, follow !,
q it until in the far distance they
lught sight Of Priscilla. Then they :,
lbsided to a slow jog and 80 continued !,
trough the day, eating their dinner at {
small inn, while Priscilla and her COM :
snion broke their fast by partaking of
I'D lunch which good Mistress Parker
i'd given them. Priscilla had no thought ).
lat they were followed. II she had she !
ould have been much alarmed, thinking j
lat Jock was being pursued, so she en- !,