New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-19
CHAPTER XIII.

and we spun along smoothly over a road winch,
for coast road must have been exceptionally
well laid or else Mr.. Rogerss tilbury was hung
on exceptionally good springs. We were travel
ling inland for the wind blew in our faces and
huddled myself up from it in the rug-on which,
by the way, a heavy dew had fallen, making IL
damp and sticky. For two miles or so we must
have held on at this pace without exchanging
word, meeting neither vehicle nor pedestrian
in all that distance, nor passing any; ana 80
came to a signpost and swerved by II INTO d
broader road, which ran level for maybe hall
a mile and then began to climb. At the foot OF
this rise Mr.. Rogers eased down the mare and
while he lit a cigar.
Were safe enough now" said he, pulilng
out pocket finder box. and while I'm about 1t
we'd better light the lamps" He slipped them
from treir sockets and lit them cleverly from
the same birthstone match. The Highnyers
due about this time" he explained, land Rus
sells wagons another nasty thing TO MT III tne
| dark. We're on the main road, you know
did not know it. but wanted courage to tell
| him that there were reasons which mace the
| main road extremely dangerous for me. Be-
| fore refxing the lamp beside him he helo II up
for a good stare at me, and grinned-
| well you're nice guest for splnster at
this hour, I must say! But there's no shyness
| about Lydia"
liked my glimpses of his good natured race
young, and none too wise looking. but red with
honest weather-the face OF gentleman, II OF
a hawbuck rs she-is Miss Lydia unmarried!
I made bold to ask
Lydia Belchers a woman in thousand
Keep that in your mind If she scares you a plt
at first. There's no better fellow living, and
I've known worse ladies' Yes, she's unrar-
RED
and
quickened her pace. After sucking at his cigar
for a while he chuckIed aloud: "She's to be seen
to be believed: past forty and wears top boots.
Shouldn't wonder though, if she was beauty
in her day; indeed, I've heard as much Her
mothers looks were famous; she was daughter
to one Of the EarIs cottagers on the edge OF the
noors'- Here Mr.. Rogers jerked his thumb
significantly but in what direction the night
hid from me- Married old Jam Belcher, one
of his lordships keepers, fellow not MT to black
her boots and had this one child, Lydia This
was just about the time of the Earls own
marriage Folks talked. Of course; and, sure
enough, when the Earl to die twas found
he'd left Lydia a thousand year in the funds
That's the story; and Lydia--well, she's Lydia
Couldn't marry where she would, suppose, and
wouldn't where she could; she's a spinster
to-day with nice little house of her own and
stables; rides to hounds when she hasn't the
govt, and can throw fly with any man living.
Some call her Lydia, others Dick-Lydia, die
per omnes,' you know-an old joke Of Parson
Doidge's who 6hey say1. made love to her when
he was turned sixty and she but a slip of a girl
I dare say she's been sorry enough since that
she didn't have him. But now she'll never
narry-though they do say Whitmore's trim
ming sail for her.
s'Whitmore?" I echoed
LAY, the curate monstrous clever fellow, and
a sportsman, too. Trinity College Dublin. man.
! Don't happen to know him, do you?"
rs he a thin faced gentleman. very neatly
dressed? Oh, but it can't be the gentleman L
mean, sir! The one mean has slow way of
speaking. and the hair seems gone on each side
of his forehead'-
That's Whtmore to a T. So you know
him? Well, you'll meet him at Lydia's, I
shouldn't wonder He's there most nights"
IF you please, sir. will you set me down? L
can shift for myself somehow-indeed can! I
pronised-that is, I mean. Mr.. Whitmore won't
like it if-if'-
While I stammered on Mr.. Rogers pulled up
the mare quartering at the same time to make
room for the mail coach as 1t Numbered up the
road from westward and swept by at the gal1op,
with lamps flashing and bits and swingles
shaken in chorus.
Look here what's the natter" he demanded
please. sir, let me get down."
why don't you want to meet Whitmore?"
Then, as would not answer, but continued to
entreat him: THE devil take it!' he cried;
you've secret of mine that would cost me
hundred pounds if you choose to Inform
But | never thought of it, L protested.
He seemed to consider and ended by Ticking
his whip and walking the mare forward slowly.
| mo 1 don't believe you're that sort of a boy.
somehow. l like your voice and like your man
rer and vet there's something deuced fshy
about Won Here 1 find you. stark naked. hiding
from the soldiers; yet you can't be one OF the
trade for you don't know the country or the
folks living herea bouts-only Whitmore ana
Whitmore you won't meet and your name you
won't tell, nor where you come fron-only tnat
vou,ve been swimming Swimming. Good
Lord, You don't swim from France. L take It.
He broke off again and fell into muse. And
I'm a Justice of the peace, and the Lord knows
what devltry Pm compromising with He
unused again. Tell you what I'll do he ex-
claimed ..Pu take you up TO Lydia's, as 1
nron,ised If Whitmore's there you shan't meet
hin, if Won don't want to: and II the house is
fuI1-for I warn you it's likely; she sits late
TIL drop YOU in the shrubbery with the rug and
get them to break up early Only L must have
vour solemn davey that you'll stay there and
NOT unit until | give you leave. Is that bar
gain?"
1 gave that promise
bright and shining? Send may die if L do.
Very we'll I'll tip the wink to Lydia, and when
we've cleared the company Wen have you In
and get the rights of this Oh, you may trust
LYDIA"
AS he said this we were passing house the
long. whitewashed front of which abutted giim-
mering on the road. A light shone behind the
ind showed