Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-02-10

accustomed TO sucn enterprises, not too
hurried al. the performance of not UNI
savory task, they slip over into Sir
Percy's very wake, Peggy at their
backs, noting now, with her pretty
nose within twelve inches of their cat
like heels, the CLEAN of a dagger in the
hand of each
Before she had thought, the two
scoundrels seized Percy from the rear,
the one clapping his hairy hand over
the games mouth for gag, the other
grasping the young mans two hands,
which had been hanging idly clasped
at his back. Not word, whisper,
even gasp
But two shots, sounding like one and
striking Sir Robin McTarts htrelings
in their tanks, laying them on the
ground, free Sir Percy de Bohun,
| stunned. bewildered, to yet catch mere
| ~ a glimpse of a figure running to the
piers end, jumping into boat, then
the fash of quick oars fading into the
! silence and the blackness of the
| Thames.
With drawn sword he gave himself a
rap on the chest and believed he had
been dreaming.
But no, for at his feet lay two pros
trate forms, each bleeding bit and
feigning, as such apt rogues will, to be
stone dead.
Percy knelt struck n finder and es-
sayed to look at their faces. They were
unknown to him, and, perceiving now
their estate, he formed the conclusion
that couple of footpads had nearly
made an end of him, and walked away
But of his rescue? The manner Of it;
The mysterious flight of his preserveri
The boat ready at the piers end? The
twin shots just in the nick of timei
What of all this?
Percy was feign return to his uncle's
house, thrice puzzled now, since he
had not alone Lady Peggy's oblivion tc
unravel, but the miraculous saving Of
his own life to match it.
Her ladyship, once safe in the boat
pulled hard to the upper pier, paid the
boatman and back by devious ways Il
Peters Court and into her room, shu
door and latched, down on her knees
wig thrown on the hearth, a-thankins
God Percy was safe.
Tears? A shower of 'em, and trem
bling legs-and arms and heart beatin.
to burst after the mad strain of TIL
past eight and forty hours.
SNOW" said her ladyship to herself
"now l can go back to Kennaston ant
spend the remainder Of my life making
cheeses for the vicar to MUNICH O. Sun
days, brewing cider for daddy to &C
celerate the pace of his govt withal
breeding chicks as will win prizes an,
pigs as will be the envy Of all, and
sob occurred here-''presently a-readinI
in the London print of the grand mar
| riage of Sir Percy de Bohun with Lad,
, Diana Weston. And me without til
chance of wedding even that little ape
t Sir Robin Mozart! But it's all RICH
t as it's" adds her ladyship. "Had
, hung on Armsleigh hill 'twould nc
!, have been too bad for one reared as
3 have been in God fearing fashion
: and who, for naught save jealousy, er
Wy and all uncharitableness, did 6
4 and SO unseX myself. Lud! Is't l
$ Peggy Burgoyne, spinster, a-sittin
here i'll brooches and waistcoat, CUES
2 in Mr.. Beau Brummel's' house withou
S any other lady to keep me in countt
n nance! Ills said one gets broke in t
: anything, but It's false, false! I'm nc
broke in to being man, and I neve
J. should be. l detest, abhor and can
e endure the being one. that had a
S ways Agnrea to myself the happy Ga
e when I'd be taken up to town."
n Lady Peggy is now pacing the room
e a trick, as has been set down earle
e that she'd borrowed from her twin.
IL "I'd thought to be Of the ton, mo-
Il genteel young lady, monstrous fine,
v lovely creature, a-taking dish of te
n at Ranelagh, a-riding to court in dad
IS old coronet coach and with all IL
e feathers could borrow on top of m
|, frizzes and powder, and two swe
l. patches set just at the corner of N