Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-04-29
CHAPTER Y Continually

CHAPTER Y Continued
Il can tell you." returns Vane.
"'Twas about Candlemas. l was down
at home on a visit from town when the
news came, almost frightening my
mother out Of her wits and setting the
maids a-shivering like so many pop
pies in storm. Tom Kidde had pounc-
ed ON Lord Brookwood not a mile from
his own gates, lifted him off his mount
in the politest fashion imaginable. RI
fed his lordship's pockets, appropriat-
ed his weapons and ridden off on his
vi TINS horse, leaving his lordship tied
to tree at the roadside, where he was
found by Biggs. the ]. p, the next
morning, a-bellowing and Accusing like
q wild bull"
A hearty laugh greets Mr.. yane's de-
scription.
Eyes, but that amt all Oft, my lords
and gentlemen" continues he.
"By no MEANS" cries Beau Brummel,
out of his fit Of hilarity. Il recall now
that rode over from Lauriston castle,
where was visiting, that very morn
ing and heard the adventure from
Brookwood himself. I fancy he had
the laugh, or will have it some day. on
Tom or some Of his men, for the stolen
mare was none other than his lord
ships famous Homing Nell"
els it possiblev' exclaims Sir Percy.
''The mare that's been taken of q hun
dred miles, let loose, and finds her way
home again; the mare that's been sold
and ridden fifty miles away, and then.
when she felt hand at her mouth she
could master, has taken the bit between
her teeth, and the one in the saddles
only sometimes been able to keep his
seat and let her take him straight back
whence she camel?
1.-The very same Homing Nell. Brook
woods sure of her getting back sooner
or later" says the Beau.
They'll never catch Tom, thought
cries Escombe.
"If they do" remarks vane. ''he'll
hang not two hours after he's bagged
His death warrants been lying signed
In Mr.. Biggs' pocketbook any time this
twelvemonth, and there's still a gibhet
sanding on the hill above Brook-Arms
leigh village"
POUNDS, sirsr' exclaims Mr.. Chal-
ners. What life t must be, though
sleep O. days. wake O. nights, prowl-
ing under the branches. hardening for
game from dusk till dawn. all seasons
the same. ones heart in ones mouth,
till the hoof's heard. and then a mask
ing dash, brawl, thrift quick as the
hghtning's fash. corpse or two and
your purse the heavier by as many
guineas as the games had under cover.
and all to the tune of the owls cry, and
I doubt not for some sweet Maid Ma
Rams sake"
"'Slife, hear the boyw cries Mr..
Brummel. Zone would think him sired
by a Jack Sheppard rather than by
the gentlest sir that ever lived. For
your froward tendencies. sir. you shall
pay a penalty"
"Yea. yea. a penalty! A penaltyw
cry they all.
'In what kind?" returns Jack, wav-
ing his hat over his head.
"A song! A songw they answer.
"Well, then, what say you to Lady
Betty Takes the Air. since all can join
me in the chorus?"
'GoOdw
Percy" says Jack. you've a pretty
pipe in your throat. Give me the key.
will you? Not too high, you rascal
I'm not vainglorious at my music. So.
and so-there." as Percy does as he Is
asked.
when all the May IL deck'd about
With hawthorn bud and blow,
When pinkly shows the heather'S tip
And harebells nod arrow.
Lady Betty takes the air,
Sing ali IA, la-la-la!
With a rush hat on her hair,
Sing ali ia. la-la-la!'
Peggy is listening to the song. She
hears it well; also the crunch Of her
horses hoofs on the narrow path; also
the crackle Of the fresh twigs as they
snap before the advance, and, too, so
sharp are her ears, the sleepy cheep Of
some disturbed bird in its nest, and
what else?
What Is this curious, stealthy stir
far of and creeping nearer in the
wood?
And, bark! Peggy puts her hand to
her ear to hear a subdued whistle,
sweet, tuneful, underbreath, but patent
to her sense and, too, to Sir Percy's.
Before either can move or, indeed.
had as yet gathered the impulse Of
even self defense, into the midst Of
Mr.. Chalmers and the rest, with theil
chorus, dashes q company of riders in
masks.
A shot, low aimed and merely intend
ed as slight warning of what may be
expected should occasion demand,
strikes the ground at her ladyship's
right.
With remorse and reparation at his
heartstrings-'tis the kind Of man
who could be but generous to his worst
enemy-Sir Percy's horse is flung be-
twixt the supposed Sir Robin and the
band.
Good evening, my lords and gentle
men," says the leader in a voice like a
lutte. Il thank you heartily for coming
my way. Purses and watches, merry
sirs; jewels. trinkets, snuffboxes, II Of
gold; pins, fobs, seals-these are all the
toll demand, and shall be forced to
collect If you show any disposition to