Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-01-20

-ii55aissdce and falseness Of her whole
tenure, you coupled just now the name
of lady with that of Sir Robin Nc
Tart demand how you dare to as
sumo such responsibility, sir, until
at least either the lady in question or
l gives you our confidence or our
leave.'
"'Our,' forsooth; 'our!" comes fierce
ly from between Sir Perry's clinched
teeth, while his hand flies to his sword
hilt.
"Why the devil, sir-an you've been
80 lucky as win the lady for your bride
make off with her i the dark, shut
her up in some unfindable hole, cheat
her parents and go strutting like some
vain peacock up and down other la
dies drawing rooms? Be a man, sir,
and publish your triumph broadcast,
nor let the town presently go gossiping
ind countryside wagging with the
scandal Of an elopement! POUNDS! Sir
Robin McTart, that''-Hipping stray
card from the table almost in her lady
ships face-"for your gallantry and
your honor!'
"What do you mean, sir?" cries Peg
gy, struck with horror all a-heap and
with terror as well, yet keeping up
brave show with her drawn rapier and
sparkling eyes.
Whatever you please, sir" returns
Percy, now white heat, too, and most
reckless of time or place.
1--WE too much regard for Lady Peg
gy, sir, not to postpone the climax of
this matter until our next meeting.
Let it be when you see ftp cries Peg,
with woman's wit and wisdom too.
"Slife, sir, ask you as one gentle
man to another-nay, implore it of
YOU" cries Sir Percy, rent betwixt
choler, love and apprehension, "most
humbly-is Lady Peggy your wife?
Her ladyship was now like to laugh,
SO near akin are mirth and sorrow, but
she replied very loftily:
81 decline to discuss the matter, sir,
and would remind you that report hath
your attentions engaged in quite anoth-
err direction"
"You know where Lady Peggy Bur-
goyne is at this moment?" says Sir
Percy hotly, determined to push his
matter to its ending this very night,
and almost crazed by his passion and
its baking.
"That do, sir" returns her lady
ship, with covert smile.
'Tell me, or I'll brain you where you
stand" Percy makes an ugly lunge at
his opponent with his fist, but merely
as threat.
"That will not" says she firmly.
What might have further ensued is
at this crisis put out of the question
by the entrance of Kennaston, who,
espying Percy the first, cries out joy
fully:
percy, Percy, Lady Diana hath given
me leave to tell you she consents"-
flush, STRIP interrupts Percy, jerking
his head toward the other occupant Of
the room. "Sir Robin Mozart and 1
have come near to blows, and must
fight of surety on the subject of your
sister, sir, and tits for you to know
without more delay that Lady Peggy is
up In London, unknown to her parents;
that Sir Robin hath her whereabouts
and absolutely refuses to reveal the
same" Percy crosses the room, strikes
finder and lights the candles on the
mantelshelf
"You are cursedly badly mistook, gen.
tlemen, both of you," says Kennaston
quietly enough. "Ive got letter which
found upon my table this very night
just come from my sister at Kennas-
ton," with which her twin pulls my
lady's most i'll spelled and crumpled
missive from his pocket and holds 1t
up before the four astonished eyes that
are staring att.
Peggy in amaze recognizes the letter
she had written to her brother the day