The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-12-11
BY JOHN FlNNlMoRE.

mand speech with YOU
lie looked ound with flushed face
and bright eyes, staring eagerly at
Enid. She had drawn rein at once, and
sat looking at him. The sweetness and
beauty Of her smile disar.ned him and
he took off his hat.
Madam said Roger, bowling polite
~. where got you that mare you ride
on?"
Pray, Why do you stop our roadq,,
asked Enid.
For sheer wonder" replied Roger.
i see the creature that has never car
rled but one man in all her life, and
that man my dear young master, in the
company or strangers, and l must know
how o got her."
o came 0 to be so sure of her?"
I demanded in a false voice pushing
my pony forward. Roger dropped his
hand into "a pocket where he had a
pistol.
Madam, he urged, IBID your man
keep beck. He looks a strong g
and q masterful. I would do him no
harm, but know the truth of this mat
ter l Will and must. You are a lady and
kind, my own eyes are warrant enough
for that. Tell me. I pray of %you--and,
as for me knowing the mare, why, look
you, She knows me. Whitesock! good
lass. Whilesock. then. where is he
who rode her from these parts? From
whom had you the mare, MADAME"
From her husband" / croaked.
A lovely. rosy flush shone all over
Ends face, and her eyes, frightened
by Rogers appeal. We're turned siyiy
me. Roger stared from one to
the other with parted lips. A | dy and
her serving man upon these terms had
he " seen before.
And tell me, good fellow, the name
Of your mistress husband?"
"Geoffry Heathcote of Butley Croft"
= l have never seen and never shall see
again such a picture as Rogers face
presented upon hearing these familiar
yet totally unexpected words.
MY young master" he gasped.
ooh, Geoffry,' pleaded Enid.
! drew my hat right down upon my
face, then lower and lower, till my fore
head and laughing yes were to be
seen, and Roger Thorne." said ], in my
own voice.
He. knew me then. He flung himself
from his horse, ran to the side of my
pony. and fairly held me in his arms.
ooh, Master Geoffry." he cried.
praise God l see you safe n well
once more. And praise God / never
knew you, for Your enemies will be in
like case But keep your hat well pulled
down. I knew you without it at once"
/ shook his honest hand and pre-
scented him to Enid.
Here. Roger" said I. sis your mis-
tress, Not even you must question her
right to ride Whitesock.''
"Ah, sir, you know what l meant"
said be. and, With as much ceremony
as If Enid and | were arriving at the
f,.,, CT, "a e rY,y-- ga tn1.c4 ~, a -rplr11 q nd six
he advanced to pay his respects and
kiss her hand.
Then Roger unfolded his budget OF
news. which, in short, came to this:
Sir John Postgate, attended by d
stronger posse, had descended on But-
ley Croft within six hours of my flight,
but the secret of my going had been
well kept, and he discovered nothing
to my disadvantage. Since then there
had been much riding to n fro, and,
for a while. troops had been quartered
on the place. These were now gone
luckily, and the house was under the
authority of the Independent magis-
trate. He had largely removed my ser
wants, and garrisoned the place with
some Of his own people, and a sharp
watch was kept on all who came and
went.
we have but one weak place" said I
"Whitesock. 1t is for her sake that
am skulking across the common here
instead Of riding UP Batley street as
would be the safer way of approach"
THAT 1t would" replied Roger; tic
come secretly is to set tongues wag-
gins with a will. and there is no need
for YOU to do so now. I will take
Whitesock to Ralph's cottag. in the
chase, where she can be safely bidder
and do you, sir and your party take a
cast round and ride up the street bold-
~"
GAY. ay, Roger" said I. "a good plar
and the meeting with you has beer
lucky, indeed"
The cottage of Ralph. the keeper
lay in a secluded spot on the side furth.
crest from the village and avenu ano
far from any other house. NO one
lived there but himself and his VIE
and their fidelity was assured.
"Old Ranger is there, too" remarked
Thorne, .and that will help to keep peo'
ple who might carry tales, for he flew
out at Sir Johns folk time and again
as If he we'll knew they were enemies
and I had to Danish him, or else sufte1
him to be killed. and that was unWlll'
ing to see Ranger was a stauncf
bloodhound who had watched the mouse
by night, and I knew well his keen dis
like OF strangers.
While Roger was talking we had beer
busy shifting the saddles, and l nov
mt him in possession of the part
intended to play.
Tn n few. minutes all was ready ane
we parted, Roger riding northWard to.
ward Ralph's cottage, While we stFucf
across the common to the south tt
reach the main road. well out OF sign,
Of the village. Enid was now monntec
on her gray pony II | marched OF
foot. Roger had carried off my sword
q q for our journeys end was In sign
and 1T was hardly the weapon 70 SWINE
at the waist Of a serving man who wa:
about to be sc~rutinized by unfriendl!
ewes. The dusk was falling as we wen
up the village street, n lights WeI'
shining in familiar windows on ellne
hand, Several people a out 70 STAR
ut us. and Adam Bell, the landlord Q
the village inn, peered eagerly 70 Sc
if we were likely customers. bu W.
rushed on and turned in at the gate
Of the long avenue which led up 70 ti1
house. 49, lat
When I came to the front OF the lat
ter / beat a lusty tattoo on n gIea
door, and Roger himself came TO opel
# He received us with an excelien
1affectation of wonder, for n or wv
faces strange to me could oe seem
tha further end Of the wide hail, par
LEVIED with Enid a short time, tneh coil
Quoted her to the oak parior. Mnere