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

Y Enid. She had drawn rein at once. n
sat looking at him. The sweetness and
beauty of hec smile disarmed him and
he took off his hat.
Madam" said Roger, bowling polite
Nv, where got you that mare you ride
Pray.why do you stop our road?'
asked Enid.
For sl.ee. wonder replied Roger.
~ see the creature that has never car
Srieds but one man in all her life, and
that man my dear young master, IN the
company of Strangers, and ! must know
hoh Eou@got8her.
came you to be so sure of herr"
1demanded in a false voice, pushing
my pony. forward. Roger dropped his
hand into d pocket where he had a
pistol.
Madam he urged, IBID your man
keep back. He looks a strong rogue
and a masterful. I would do him no
harm, but know thetruth of this mat
ter will and must. You are a lady and
kind, ny are warrant enough
for that. Tell me. / pray of you-and,
MS for me knowing the mare, why, look
you, she knows me. Whitesock! good
who rode her from these parts? From
Whor had you the mare, madam
From her husband, !. Iacroaked.
lovely. rosy flush shone all over
Ends face, and her$eyes, frightened
by Rogers appeal. were turned slyly
upon me. Roger stared from one to
the other with parted lips. A lady and
her&serving man upo these terms had
he never seen before.
tell me, good fellow, the name
$5Of you mistress husband?'
Geoffry Heathcote of Butley Croft"
/ have never seen and never shall see
again such q picture as Rogers face
presented upon hearing these familiar
yet totally unexpected words.
My young MASTER he gasped.
Oh, Geoffry.'' pleaded Enid.
I drew my hat right down upon my
face, then lower and lower. till my fore
head and laughing eyes were to be
seen, and Roger Thorne,'' said II, in my
oWn voice.
He knew me then. He flung himself
from his horse. ran to the side of my
ION. Master Geoffry," he cried,
praise God + see you safe and well
once more. And praise God i never
knew Q for our enemies will be in
like case. But keep your hatWell pulled
down. I knew you without 1t at once
shook his honest hand andpre-
scented him to Enid.
Here, Roger said 4. sis your mis-
tress. Not eye you must Question her
right to ride Whitesock.''
sAh sir, you know what I meant
said he. and, WithSas much ceremony
as IL Enid and were arriving at the
house OF my fathers in a coach and six,
he advanced to pay his respects and
kiss her land.
Their Roger unfolded his budget Of
news, which in short. am to this:
Sir John Postgate. attended by a
stronger posse, had descended on But
ley Croft within.six hours of my flight.
but the secret of my going had been
WellSkept, and he discovered nothing
to my disadvantage. Since then there
had been much riding to and fro. and,
for a while, troops had been quartered
on the place. These We're now gone,
luckily, and the house was underline
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 a kept on all who came and
went.
We havesbut onesweak place" said i,
.Whitesock. 1t Is for her sake that /
am skulking across the common here
instead of riding up Butley street as
would be8the safer way8of approach
That it would replied Roger; @to
come secretly is to set tongues wag-
ging with a will, and there is no need
for you to do so now. VIII take
sMSv Akolp1A SoNSaS Lie
chase, where h can be safely hidden,
and de you, sir and your party take a
cast round and ride UP the street bold
ly.'
SAY, ay. Roger said ], "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 avenue, and
far from n other house. No one
lived there but himself and his wife
and their fidelity was assured.
Old Ranger is there. too" remarked
Thorne, "andSthat will help to keep PEG,
pie who might carry tales, for he few
out at Sir Johns folk time and again
as If he well kne; they We're enemies
and j a to baE5sh him, or else suffer
him to be killed. and that I was unwill
ing to see." Ranger was a staunci
bloodhound who had watched the hous,
by night, and I knew we'll his keen dis
like of strangers.
While Roger was talking we had beef
busy shifting the saddles, and I o
put him In possession OF the part
intended to play.
In a few minutes all was ready ant
we parted. Roger riding northward to,
ward Ralph's cottage, while we strucl
across the mmo to the south Il
reach the main road, we'll out Of sigh
3t2S ~ u 49, cpS
on her gray pony, and T. marched O
foot. Roger had carried off my sword
too. for our journeys end was in sight
and twas hardly%the weapon TO swim
at HI Waist of a serving man Who wa
about to be scrutinized by unfriendl.
s eyes, The5dusk was falling as We Wen
up the village street, and lights we
shining in familiar windows on eithe
hand. Several people ran out to star
at us, and Adam Bell. the landlord q
1he village inn, peered eagerly to Sc
eff we were likely customers. But W
pushed onSand turned in at the gate
OF lifelong avenue which led up to tn
house.
When5IscameSto the front OF the lat
ter / beat alnsty tattoo on the grea
door, and Roger himself came to ope
it. He received us with an excellen
afectation OF wonder, for one or tW
faces straage to me could be seen 9
the further OF the wide hall, par
layed with Enid a short time, then con
Quoted her to the oak parlOr where
&sGra 5haDpened to- b burning. He CAV
orders that 4 should be led o sta
bles. and a groom came with me: TIL