Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-03-31

i may WniStle 1Or the payment of in.
claim? Is that your stand? Well
while I should have looked for faircr
treatment at the hands Of a
daughter Of the Ellcrys and the sister
Of your brother, still"
"Say no more" Jane Interrupted
proudly. 81 shall beseech no further
favors. 1 am prepared to do your
bidding"
"Ah. madam" he observed. at Is
your better self which speaks" He
turned toward the porch upon which
Mrs. Ellery had remained impatient.
my dear aunt to be-" he said. 81 am
candidate for your congratulations
Your beloved niece has promised to
marry me at once
"Janc. what folly is this?" her aunt
cried. at cannot be that you have
submitted to this mans importu-
mites? Fic. am ashamed of you!
You arc no niece of mine"
Dear aunt" Jane answered
YEARLY, at is the keeping of u
promise. You would not have me
break it?"
"Tush." the other woman OK
claimed. there are worsc things
than broken promises. have seen
the Ellcrys make fools of themselves
many time to keep their word. and
regret it bitterly afterwards Thank
God, have no silly Ellcry traditions
back of mo. I am Morgan. and Il
Morgan is not afraid to break a
promise II by so doing greater crimes
can he prevented and what greater
crime could there be. Jane, than the
perjury of swearing to love and honor
this man when you know that you
do neither? Think YOU" she con
tinued, that I will permit my house
10 be the scene of such farce?
Never. You must find some other
spot"
Bcsscmcr turned with lifted brows
to Jane. "If," she said. in answer 10
his look, my aunt will not permit us
to be married under her roof. she
will not. ! am sure. drive us from her
garden"
She descended the steps as she
spoke. glad to get into the open, for
even the well-vcntilated hall was
choking her. Her pride forbade her
TO make another protest against the
keeping of her promise, and she was
anxious to- have the ordeal over.
Bessemcr summoned the chaplain
and the higher officers. and with II
brief but adrot explanation request
cd the reverend gentleman to per
form the ceremony. That holy man
began n hasty search for his book,
not being prepared for so startling
demand. Besscmer's hrows con
tracted as the search heightened.
While they all stood thus. they were
startled by shouts coming from the
hill where the Ellery mansion had
once stood. The shouts were followed
by some scattering shots which fell
far short, as they were meant to do
of the waiting group. Upon the hill
could be seen gathering of many
/ horsemcn.
/ Officers and men turned eager eyes
upon Bessemer Would he respond to
this challenge sent him from tina
| distant point, or would he proceed
with his marriage? But Besscmev
had been soldier before he was lover
and to do aught but respond was no,
his nature. With u hasty word ia
Jane, n ringing command to his men
he leaped into his saddle and dashed
/ towards the cminence. The horsemci
whirlcd about. Their mission was
acomplished-to draw him from the
Ellery place. Neatly dodeing Edward
with his pursuing force, they hac
galloped towards the Elijah Eller,
plantation, only to find Bcssemer
there before them. Worthington
remembering Bessemer's hand il
burning Mrs. Ellery's other home anc
too far off to recognize Jane. had moi
known but that Bessemer's present
mission was marauding one. TC
draw Besscmcrs attention from tn,
unprotected mistress Of the house t'
themselves was the quick scheme o
his companions and himself.
Then began a long chase and ;
hot one. Resscmer's force was near
~ quadruplc his opponents, ant
! cOnlQ ne nave COTntTtu lntHl II WOult
have meant their determination; bu
with their wirier stceds. their knowl
edge of every hollow and ravine
every rock and creyicc, he had onl,
the excitement of the race for hi
pains; vet il was not in him to Civ
up so long as his willy foes let hin
keep them in sight, and night over
took him ere he abandoned the pur
suit.
Returning dsgruntled TO the high
way, he met n messenger from Corn
wallis with an imperative summon
10 Join the main army al once. How
ever great the temptation might hav
hcen to tarry lorg enough to con
summatc his interrupted mnrriag
with Jane. he was yet too great
sticklcr for discipline to do other
wise than obey instantly the CON
mands Of his chief.
CHAPTER XIV.
lie DID A-WOOING GO.