Middletown transcript., 1904-09-03


sound from leaf-hung nesting places !;
and because OF tile dew chrismed forest
odors along the fern-edged forest road,
because OF young day and young
heart, the gallant lifted meadow-lark
voice and sang to the solitude
"Of all the girls in our town,
The black, the fair, the red, the brown,
That prance and dance it up and down,
There's none like Massey Dawson"
So sweet it rang through arching tree
aisles that every bird huslled from envy.
and squirrel and rabbit ran timidly to
listen as this Orpheus luted
'IIer easy mien, her shape so neat,
She foots, she trips, she looks 30 sweet
Her every motion is complete
die for Nancy Dawson y
But scarce had echo finished repeating
when there was crash of nnderbrush-
and to the memory of the startled singer
came the tale, but lately heard and little
needed, OF bold highwayman, who
for few weeks past had emptied several
purses here in Durham Woods. Oh,
why that foolish lifting OF an idle song?
Oh, why this reckless Journey? Then
up rose the. mettle of race of warriors
in the heart brought to bay The dark
eyes under the gallant's hat met steadily
enough the dark eyes behind the mask
Sits, as its wearer laid one hand upon
the mares bride and with the other
raised his pistol.
"Methinks 'twere gentle song you
trolled but now, fair sir. 'Tis pity your
true love could not hear you. However,
he who sings through Durham Woods
must pay fine. Empty your purse for
me-"
"And when did good King George
grant permit for such heavy fine upon
his subjects, singing here in the colonies?
| vow you are q Shylock, my stranger
friend"
"Does friend come masked ?'' the other
asked sternly. "Out with your purse,
sir, or I take it,
II am unarmed," the gallant said, and
the voice was soft as before, yet there
seemed tremble in it. ''See-I have
no holster OIL. My purse is hidden in
side my vest, and if you will but wait
/ can no less than get it, for am ill.,
matched to resist your opportunities.
Suddenly the slender figure swayed in
the saddle. 'Oh, sir stranger, catch me
ere fall--I faint, sir!
The hand upon the bride loosed its
hold, the pistol was thrust back into
place but, as he moved to aid, snatch
of slim white fingers drew the weapon
from its holster and it was flung well
into some underbrush a dainty riding
whip fell smartly across the neck of the
little white mare, who in all her petted
life had never known the like before,
and she was off with ears laid fiat, while
the gallant's voice called back scornfully:
Coward to threaten one unarmed.
Collect now if you can that precious fine
for which you would sell your soul to
the devil"
But, all for the fate which turks in
chance. A twisted tree root, jutting
stone, hole in the road-and the mare
was down on her knees, almost nnseat-
ing her rider. Before she could do more
than scramble to her feet the masked
man had reached the spot, only to halt,
astounded, for on the ground lay hat,
wig and moustache, while before him
in the saddle, with long loosened golden
curls tumbling about colorless face, sat
a girl, her breast rising and falling like
that of hunted animal. She was so
wonderfully pretty in her disordered'
gallant's suit, that for an instant he did
but stare then he burst into a laugh
which echoed through the wood.
'Beshrew me that | could not tell
a woman's voice and a woman's trick !!
But though will collect no fine in gold
for sweet song sweetly sung by go fair
a masqaerader, take my OWL indemnity
on as good a pistol as ever marksman
owned"
Before she had sensed his meaning
kiss lay warm upon lips for which
lovers had sighed III vain. Her pallor
flashed to scarlet OF offended pride, and
too angry for reflection she lifted her
riding whip.
''Do you add insult to intent to kill r.
she cried. Take this then. sir p
The mask, loosening, fell away, and
left him standing there with reddening
welt across his cheek and in his eyes
such look as frightened her more than
all else had done But the terrified inno-
cence Of her face, the shrink of her
figure, stirred finer emotions. He picked
up her fallen properties and handed them
to her with bow, and she realized that
he was young, nobly bred, and strikingly
handsome even in his plain riding snit
Il could be a better man else were
not here" lie said slowly. But, fair
mistress, it is well for you that you met
not some others in this long wood. You
must have careless folk to let you out
in such fashion"
.'They knew not, size faltered, with
great heartsink for the safety OF home.
"My iatlier owes money to Hartford
house, and since he could not 60 for
being plagued with gout, | thought to
surprise him."
you WILL" He looked again at the
beautiful distressed lace then the mock
cry Of his voice changed to chivalrous
compassion born OF mans knowledge OF
woman's ignorance. Gin yonjer copse
my horse is tied. l will fetch him while
you complete your costume, and together
We will ride to Hartford city,
Had she most dread Of the long wood,
or OF such escort? She could not tell
nor yet could she tell how she transacted
the business for which she came. She
had ra,,,at,, hrorno of ,,nx,;,,rx oos,, -