Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-09-12

HIGHWAY

BY JAMES H. BEARD
, Copyright. 1901. By James II. Beard :


~ ~ M0 NAAlNAA nlNAANA ~ iNNE HVAM
home and friends. Even at the mo-
mont OF the quarrel I 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, | 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
20 bring us both down with broken
necks.
Suddenly I brought my beast up with
a jerk and listened. In a moment It
came agaln-0 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 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.
well knowing that at this point the
woods were far too dense to drive a
horse through. After what seemed an
in~terminable time | reached the sec
ond road and stood gazing up and
down In the faint light. Then
marked my quarry, a dark, struggling
mass. and again / charged wildly for
ward. sword In hand.
1t was a sight to fill a saint with the
lust for murder. Two evil looking ruff
fans had just succeeded in pulling n
girl from her saddle and were now
bent on tying her hands. The maid
was all but spent from her exertions
and In a pitlable plight. her dress torn
and her hair flying in wild confusion.
The villains were wen pleased to strug-
gle with n 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 Mt 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 1 could disengage. but it was a
mere scratch. The man still on his
feet was far superior to me in swords
manship, but l was young and agile,
and l sprang from side to side until
he lost track of my blade In the bad
light, and 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.
I recognized 1t lnstantly-that calm
proud face which | knew so well ant
had so little reason to love. AS looked
at her then / was forced to admit wha.
my anger had made me deny many
times that very morning-that she was
a magnificent woman.
Now that the danger vas quite ovel
was rather at a loss what to do next
but the girl relieved me Of this embar
rassment.
IL anu travelling to Aldgatc and have
lost my way" she said. "If you car
set me on the right road, / shall be
still more indebted to you, granting
that possible" this with a glance al
the two fallen men.
my horse Is on the new road som,
nifty yards from here" ! said. 81 my
self am travelling to Aldgate and shal
be glad to offer you my escort"
(Which / shall be even more glad t
accept" she said quickly. "and were
to meet more ruffians l might not fn'
another rescuer so ready at my call"
A short distance back the wood
were more open, and after helping he
to remount / led her horse to the ney
road. anne upon Edward and swun.
into the saddle.
For some time we rode on I'm silence
I could feel her eyes, however, and
knew she was reading me as only We
men can read men, but | possessed on
little secret which / mentally defe,
her to guess.
ut is very fortunate for me tina
commerce should call you to Aldgat
on this particular night" she said a
last. and she could have said nothing
which / would have found more ex
asperating. for it showed clearly tina
she had decided l was a clerk.
IL have no business in Aldgate,"
said tartly. "Aldgate is a seaport, an.
1 am headed for the low countries"
'The warsT' she questioned quickly
"The wars" ! repeated, with m
head high.
She answered this with a low laug
and question that made my cheek
burn.
what has made you suddenly dc
sire 10 turn soldierT'
The girl seemed to read my past III
Ike an open book. but one fact she In
not read, nor did / intend she SHOULD
Still there was no reason why | Nigh
not tell her part OF the truth.
my father" l said. has rather
quick temper. People say that hav
Inherited somewhat OF II. We disagree
on a small matter"
"Your speech Is brief and TO th
point" said my companion. And nov
principally I believe because you hay
mot asked me, ! VIII tell you why ! al
riding alone TO Aldgatc. My father ha
rather a quick temper. People 81
that / have inherited somewhat OF
Ne disagreed on q small matter"