Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-04

down." she said, quietly and determtnedly,
like nurse taking command of a patient,
"she has heard what 1 said about her father
after all, as I told you. she is not to
blame. And she shall not suffer. promise
you that. 1t was indeed solely for her
cause that have been silent so long
'No-no," painted Maurice Raith, holding
the unconscious girl the closer In his arms,
have. 1t Is not true. I have listened too
long. You shall not touch her. I will take
her away-, myself-Maurice Raith. I am
a brother officer of her father, I tell you
He is no traitor. but the chaplain Of a
British Observation-Disclosures He COM
mitted Mistress Frances to my charge be-
fore he went away" said Maurice, still
holding the girl jealousy in his arms. LAS
fore her-why. I do not know. She will
never think well of me again."
Yvette Foy began to laugh uncertainty.
Il only tried to be as kind to you as l
knew how to be, If that be any fault, as it
seems to be with you all of a sudden. But
WE'LL have never expected or experienced
anything but injustice and ingratitude all
my life. So why should look for anything
different now from stranger and man.?
But her words the admired disorder of
her dress and hair, even the pitiful squar-
ing Of her mouth, all fell dead upon the
compassion of Maurice Raith with the
warmth Of Flower-o'-the-Corn's body
striking slowly through to his breast
Il tell you l will take her away from
here" he stammered hotly. TT is not fit
that she should dwell in the same house
with you"
He moved toward the door with his bur-
den. Yvette Foy stood in front Of him.
You shall not" she said. "She is my
guest. Her character would be lost If she
left this house with you, and In such a
manner"
Stand out of my way, I say, madam
cried Maurice furiously; 1.-The character of
Mistress Wildwood needs no other defender,
in the absence of her father, than Captain
Raith. Her father left her in her own
hired house. and he gave me alone the
right to protect her. l will take here there,
and woe betide the man or woman who
stands in our way,''
Father! Father" cried Yvette Foy, sud-
denly lifting up her voice lamentably; help
help. 1 beseech you, helpr'
And from some chamber where he had
been preparing himself for the repose Of the
night, Martin Foy flung himself into the
room. having. like the old soldier he was,
only taken time to arm himself with a
great Walloon sword, that he might be the
more ready to succor his daughter in her
! need.
"Yvette, you cried-what Is it, sweetest D.
said the old man, standing In his turn
aghast at the sight of Maurice supporting
the insensible Frances In his arms.
That man hath insulted US. she cried
pointing to Maurice Raith; he hath spok-
| en- evil things-things that young girl
ought not to hear. Look-look! She has
no longer any life power to resist He
| would carry her away from this place
| against her will So-being afraid. 1 cried
| to you. my father! You will not fail me, ]
know"
Old Martin Foy stamped on the ground
with the old-faShioned fencer's clack
which had not then gone out of date.
Hold, villain he cried. Stand still
| where you are. Put the girl down, or by
| Saint Anthony, l will slap three feet OF
| good Ypress steel through your black vi
| tals!
| And the old mustache advanced so fierce.
~ that there Is no saying what might
| have happened (Maurice being incumbered
with his burden) had not Billy Marshall
hearing the sound of voices in high dis
pute. and his masters among them come
running up to the great living parlor. The
| ton explained to him. He saw his master
| with lovely girl in his arms That needed
| no explanation. Even SO. with half dozen
| foes to withstand him and a good friendly
| ate points off, he had in his time borne
| away Bet SO successfully that she had
| ever afterward proved herself a loving
! faithful and obedient wife to him. even as
| the law of the land requires.
If Maurice had been carrying off Martin
| Foys daughter under the other arm. Billy
would have stayed just as short time
| to debate upon the morality of the pro.
| ceeding. He simply seized the first weapon
| which came to his hand. This happened
| to be an ornamental chair, brought thith-
er by Yvette Foy. and bottomed with
| wicker work of the rustic sort With
| this he interposed manfully between his
master and Martin Foy. The old soldier
| made pass at him as the immediate ad-
versary. and the point of the Walloor
| sword. passing between the withes of the
| seat, narrowly grazed the back of Billy's
brawny hand. which grasped the back al
| the most convenient point for balancing
| both offensive and defensive.
| The next moment Martin Foy felt his
hand suddenly light in the air. The Wal.