Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-10-22

Just the other side Of the Perkins
wood. / will have n horse and phaeton
waiting on this side. There Is n wood
mans road there that leads to the main
road; we can take that and have a jolly
long ride But | shall have a fuss to
get her into the vehicle, l expect; how
ever, | shall manage 1t some way, never
! fear"
Laughing gayly over the fun In pros
pect the two separated to put in force the
mischief they had brewed.
Poor Ethel left the house without a
suspicion Of what awaited her; glad, in
| fact, that she could thus enjoy stroll
after the confinement of that close, hard
day.
She found Mr.. Perkins Mt home, and
soon explained the cause of her visit,
and transacted the business with which
she had been intrusted.
This completed, she turned her face
homeward. All went we'll with her until
she approached the woods. At their en-
trance she found. on consulting her
watch that 1t was quarter past four.
81 shall reach the hall just about Eve"
she thought, "and so please Sir Reginald.
| would not have liked being late, after
what he said"
Suddenly she was startled by a sound
Mt her side, then, to her surprise and cha
grin, Robert Glendenning stepped direct
ly in her path
"My dear Miss Nevergail, this is n de-
lightfu meeting in a delightful place.
Where may your curiosity have taken
your
"My curiosity, Mr. Glendenning. took
.h,, -
transact matter Of business for Sir
Reginald and am now on my way lrome.
Being in hurry, would be Glad to pass
on"
mot so fast, not so fast, my pretty
girl; surely you will linger awhile in this
romantic place, now that you have some
one to enjoy the beauties of the wood
with your
mo- Mr.. Glendenning," was the digni-
fed reply; II cannot linger a moment.
Sir Reginald desired my immediate re-
turn, and | cannot keep him waiting"
Nevertheless, my sweet creature, he
will wait; for you cannot return just
now, as intend for once to fully enjoy
your society,""
So saying, the bold young man at
tempted to take her hand, to draw it I'M
uer MS arm.
Snatching it instantly away, Ethel fix
ed upon him a stern look and ordered him
to stand aside.
Not needing her in the least, he impu-
IDENTIFY slipped his arm around her waist,
exclaiming:
Perhaps you would like this way of
walking better. 1t makes no difference
to me-"
Shaking off his arm, Ethel pushed him
aside Indignantly, then with rapid steps
preased onward. Not word more was
spoken by either, although to her dis
may, Ethel found that he kept persever-
ingly by her side
AS they emerged from the woods, Rob
ert grasped her arm firmly with one
hand, while with the other he produced
from his pocket a pistol, which he in
stantly pointed at her.
"Now, Miss Nevergail," he said, you
stand still and hear what | have to say,
| or take the consequences. | do not in
tend to harm you, if you keep perfectly
quiet; but | do intend to. show you that
| am master of the situation at this time
You need not look round for assistance
for | assure you, no soul comes this way
at this hour"
Robert Glendenning," at last issued
from the girls pale lips, put up that
pistol instantly and allow me to pursue
my way unmolested. Sir Reginald re-
qures my presence Immediately"
80 do l; and, what is more, l intend
to have it, so he must wait. Do you see
that horse and phaeton, behind those
trees? They are there expressly to take
you riding. l ask you therefore, politely,
will you favor me with your companyp
mo, sr!''
yes, sir, you mean. If you do not
mean it, it makes no difference, as ride
with me you will Go forward now, at
once to that conveyance, and let me
assist you in; assure you | will bring
you back to the Hall in good season. Go
on! l am determined you shall obey
mew
These words he enforced by planting
the cold mouth of the weapon against her
forehead. Now this pistol, though il
looked formidable, was not loaded, and
he knew it, but for the sake of carrying
his point, he intended fully to frighter
her into complying with his strange wish
But Ethel was a brave girl, and though
pale, she never even shuddered. Fixing
her eyes fearlessly on his, she said in
J firm, stern voice:
: IF you think 1t manly, or wise, t,
| shoot shoot away! But l will not sti
one step towards that phaeton."
ITO be continued)
- |