The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-12-18
"Geoffrey Heathcote, ESQ"
Copyright 1899, by s. s. Mcclure Co.,

On he came, a small. bright eyed man
of sixty, perched on his big hackney,
and cycling me over with a keen glance
as he rode up on my left hand. I
stared at him from under the broad
brim of my hat and tugged it respect
fully. He slightly lifted his Bride
hand in return, and l kept my face
straight with much ado. The truth is,
I could have Rugged him. His quiet,
pleasant face and clear brown eyes
were delightful to see again, and home
was IN every line of him. A couple Of
strides carried him level with enid, and
he jumped in his saddle. Two strides
again and he swung his hackney clear
across the path and pulled him up
dead, blocking our way.
stand" shouted Roger, "but fear
nought. / am a true man, and I de-
mand speech with you"
He looked u 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 disarmed 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 road?"
asked Enid.
For sheer wonder replied Roger.
IT see the creature that has never car
ried but one man in all her life, and
that man my dear young master, in the
company of strangers, and l must know
how you got her."
How came you to be so sure of herr"
I demanded in a false voice, pushing
my pony forward. Roger dropped his
nand into a pocket where he had a
pistol.
Madam" he urged, "bid your man
boon hack . TJa 1pnlc a Strnru rno,,o
and a masterful. I would do him no
harm, but know the truth of this mat
ter I will and must. You are a lady and
kind, my own eyes are warrant enough
for that. Tell me, l pray Of you-and,
as for me knowing the mare, why, look
lass. Whitesock, then! where is he
who rode her from these parts? From
whom had you the mare, madam"
From her husband" 1 croaked.
A 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 / dy and
her serving man upon these terms had
he never seen before.
And tell me, good fellow, the name
Of our mistress husband?"
"Geoffry Heathcote of Butley Croft"
I have never seen and never shall see
dSdih SuSll d plCluIe DIS IOSSl > 1dSS
presented upo hearing these familiar
yet totally unexpected words.
my young MASTER he gasped.
ooh, 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 I, 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.
"Oh, Master Geoffry," he cried,
praise God I see you safe and well
once more. And praise God I never
like case. But keep your hat well pulled
down. 1 knew you without it at once"
I shook his honest hand n pre-
scented him to Enid.
Here, Roger said I, "is your mis-
tress. Not even you must question her
right to ride Whitesock."
"Ah, sir, o know what I meant"
said he. and, with as much ceremony
rs If Enid and I were arriving at the
house Of my fathers in a coach and 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 P~ostgate, 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
we'll kept, 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 were now gone,
luckily, n 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.
1--WE have but one weak place." said I.
"Whitesock. It Is for her sake that
am skulking across the common here
instead Of riding up Butley street as
would be the safer way of approach
That 1t would" replied Roger; 'tc
come secretly Is to set tongues wag-
ging with a will, n there is no need
for you to do SO now. I will take
Whitesock to Ralph's cottage in the
chase, where she can be safely hidden,
and do you, sir and your party take a
cast round n ride up the street bold
ly."
"Ay, 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 avenue, ano
far from any other house. No one
lived there but himself and his wife
and their fidelity was assured.
"Old Ranger is there, too," remarked
Thorne, and that will help to keep PEG
pie who might carry tales, for he flew
out at Sir Johns folk time and again
as If he well knew they were enemies
and I had to Danish him, or else suffer
him to be killed, and that I was unwill.
Ing to see" Ranger was a stauncl
bloodhound who had watched the house
by night, and / knew we'll his keen dis
Hike Of strangers.
While Roger was talking we had beer
busy shifting the saddles, and I nov
put him in possession of the part
intended to play.
In a few minute all was ready ane
we parted, Roger riding northward to.
ward Ralph's cottage, while we struci
across the common to the south tt
reach the main road, well out OF sigh
Of the village. Enid was row mounted
on her gray pony, and I marched OF
foot. Roger a carried off my sword