Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-01-29

NH0h away. linen, slipping on
cn=TT7i wrapper and stirring up
Ys,Nof the Goals, l sat down be-
S$I fore the hearth to think
L-=22I over my evil case.
But even as | set myself to the task
| laughed to think of my fathers
words, Molly" my Lord Overton had
said, whether it's sorrow or joy you'll
have | know not, but you'll have plenty
OF one or the other. Most like It's sor-
row, for you're dangerous woman
dangerous to yourself as we'll as the
men. You've the beauty, Molly, my
girl, that drives men mad And you've
got heart; that's mistake. Worse
still, you've got a mans brain. And
worst Of all you're getting into the hab-
1t Of using it," And so, using my mans
brain, set out my case thus as l sat
before the fire in my London lodgings:
First l, Lady Overton, had contriv-
ed and effected the escape Of the kings
prisoner, one Walter Selden, under es-
cort to Newgate and thence to Tyburn
Tree for execution, said prisoner being
an adherent of the pretender and high
in his secrets. The prisoner had been
recaptured, to be sure, but full report
of the matter had been made to the
king, whereby the house of Overton was
in strong disfavor and powerless to in
tercede In the young mans behalf, if
not In actual danger of punishment,
through my act. My fathers appeal,
made In response to my entreaties, had
been denied and his connection was
afraid to move in the matter, lest bad
job be made worse. Then myself had
come to London to ask the kings mer-
cy. l had found my fine women ac-
quaintances openly scornful and my
erstwhile adoring servants among the
men cold and cautious. This very day
had played my last card and lost-the
king had refused me an audience. And
the fatal day was but week away!
Second. Having thus done my ut
most, why should further persist in so
hopeless and dangerous quest? True,
| had boosted to Walter Selden that he
should go free, even If he was recap
tured; in fact, he had refused rescue at
my hands until had convinced him
that Lady Mary Overton was set too
high to take harm in the adventure.
Was there nothing more in the matter
than to make good an idle boast? Aye,
there was the rub! What was Walter
Selden to me?
Third. had never seen the man but
thrice In my life-twice in London and
the night had stolen him away from
the soldiers billeted at our Dorsetshire
manor house In London the man was
like any other dandy and fop to the
outward seeming, yet when l looked
lnNA 7 H. A ~
the first time to be disturbed by man.
Why had taken him from the SOL
diers? Because of the youth in my
veins and something in my bosom that
said he must not die It was not love
then; twas pity. But when, instead of
falling on his knee and kissing my
hand by way Of thanks, he took me In
his arms in spite of my struggles and
kissed me full on the lips-then | was
angry indeed, but knew my fate. Did
l, then, love this rebel prisoner, Walter
Selden? Aye, even |, Lady Mary Over
ton, disdainful Of score of suitOrs,
loved him-unasked. And what price
would pay for my love? Anything;
everything.
Since | loved him and would pay the
price Of his liberty what could be done?
Beauty, rank. influence-all had failed
and would fail again. What then re-
manned? But one thing-money. But
how could money be used? No brides
could spirit the prisoner from Newgate;
even my letters had come back to me
unopened No gold could save him
from the hands Of the sheriff and the
hangsman; they would be powerless
though | loaded them down with shin
ing guineas.
So II had come down to thls-whis-
pered half fearfully In my ear by Mis-
tress Anne Bradshaw-"A rescue"
Such things had been done and the
prisoner taken from the very moose on
Tyburn Tree. But could bring myself
to this? Aye, God help me, even to
this-and more too.
rang for Mistress Anne Bradshaw.
No need to set forth the devious ways
by which came to an understanding
with the instrument-an outrageous
little villain from Ratcliffd Highway
against whom the powers OF Bow street
seemed to bd helpless. He drove hard
bargain whln we came to speak. cash
down in advance God knows | grudged
him not the money, though II was the
price OF more than one fat farm. but
could | trust him? But scarcely an
inkling Of his plans would he confide to
me- And when at parting | felt my
way towards Offering to pay him as
much again In case he was successful
this strange creature stopped me with
a certain real dignity And so perforce
| had to content myself with the bar
gain made and take the villain on trust.
Nor is there need to go over the
agony Of suspense and the alternating
hopes and fears Of those days and
nights that followed Sure. never a
poor maid was more torn and distract
ed. Only once did even smile, and
that was when my Lady Kilmurry sent
me word to Join her party which was
TO see the execution from the second
floor Of the cook shop on Oxford street.
close TO Hyde Park "All London has
II that you are pining for love OF the