Waterbury Democrat., 1902-08-27
Won by the
Sword ~ ~
By JOHN DICKINSON SHERMAN.
(Copyrighsea BY Daily Story Pub. Co.,


in the White Horse inn, and thrustlng
close to mine his wicked, handsome
face, "You are an evil casa younger
son crowded out of your brothers
house; no chance for preferment at
court; no means of livelihood; at the
end of your resources"
Here he drew out score of gold
pieces and jingled them right musical
ly. / eyed him askance, for hated
the man. And presently he went on:
ssBethink 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
think you are the man for my work
"What is your work ?" I asked, keep
ing my temper in check.
"Zounds!'' he cried, with an evil
laugh. IT'S like play. With half
dozen of my DULLES you stop carriage
in which rides pretty maid hold
most dear. You make a play at alb
duction with much noise and clashing
of steel and stage business. Then
come to the rescue. We cross swords,
you fall, and / carry off the maid in
triumph, her rescuer and protector"
"You have forgotten my temper in
your catalogue of my failings, Sir
Charles Anthony" said, rising. 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 up 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
nv thoughts as I strobe up the mar
row side street that led to my humble
lodgings It 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 a
dark hole and prudence whispered to
let the adventure pass. Yet knew,
though I knew not how I knew, that
it was a good woman who had
i screamed and no creature of the
j streets. So, with drawn sword, tip
i toed into the darkness till / saw a
futter of white against the wall.
.sWho cries for help?" / said, loudly,
| stepping forward.
ct concerns you not" answered a
surly voice, and dark figure came
boldly out. BE gone and mind your
own affairs"
''What have you here?" I asked,
pressing forward. But the man barred
my way, threatening to spit me on his
blade. Loath to use the steel till
saw further into the matter, Icaught
him by the wrist as hesraised his arm,
and with a twist and a trip sent him
sprawling, and slipped past him into
the turn of the alley. Here twas
dark as a pocket and could see moth
ing. But as I felt about my hand
closed on the soft, fimsy stuff of q
woman's gown, and under it was q
, woman's breast-a girls.
"Halo I cried, s. IT'S some wench you
, are misusing.''
'sYou mistake said a civil voice
from behind the girl. tbs my young
! sister, who will out O. nights, and we
but take her home"
81 tell you again you are meddling
in private NATTER broke in the first
mans voice. g IT'S 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 it to her face. She
:, was gagged.
4 s.You knaves!" cried, tearing loose
g the scarf from her mouth. who is
I this you have gagged? ?"
] With an oath the man behind the
: girl stepped out and ran toward th'
:. street crying for lanthern and blow
:. ing a whistle shrilly. Grasping thu
: girl by the arm I dashed forward
: thrusting ahead of me as went. Hal
way out my point took something sof
Il that cried out and fell. At the alley
q mouth I could see better and here
dark figure rushed on me fercely.
4 spitted him like lark and he wen
d down in a heap.
t In the street thought to have clea
t way, but the whistle brought thre
or four men who set upon me witt
: swords. Calling to the girl to run 70
: her life I faced about briskly to NEE
n their attack. buC she WOulO nOU, an
:, :, went back with me against wal
= where they pressed me hard. Two
s pinked so that they drew out wit
" groans and curses, but one. of tn
e others got in shrewdly on my lei
l. shoulder. I was in evil case when tn
g girl cried in my ear that there was
# door at our backs. With a shout
n sprang out and drove them back
step, then turning, ran after her with
q the dOs9 and bolted and barred it
their faces.
= Within was utter darkness, and W
!. felt our way along through mario
!, passage till we reached room wit
D. a window that gave us a bit Of til
d. moon. There was a door, but it we
n, fast on the other side, and the wi
lie dow was heavily barred. Plainly "
IS could go no further, unless we cou
e raise the house. / raped with m
Id dagger hi1t, but there was no answe
le After many trials I gave over, NJ
> thinking it wise to betray our pligl
- to those on the street.
il 1How fares it with you, girl p
r said, drawing my companion to whei
y the moonlight fell I had expected
m find some simple, burgeoise maid, al