Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-06-10

but will you be home for dinner, sir, or
not until SUPPER"
"For neither, today" answers her
ladyship. running out into Peters
Court and then coming to dead halt.
She drew long, deep breath, as deeI
as the fog would let her, much as dog
does before he starts ON the scent. Sha
jingled the little money left In he.
purse, gave her hat the cock as she be-
held q passerby and struck out for Lon
don bridge. Arrived at Surrey side
her ladyship paused to consider and,
wrapping herself well in her camlet
cloak, the which she had used at the
masquerade SO lately, thereby hiding
her blue velvet breeches, laced wais.
coat, point rufles, Mechlin lace cravat.
rich coat and jeweled hilt, soon OBJ
tanned fare In the one seated cart Of q
country clown who was Of for footing.
Her ladyship decided very quickly
that twas but necessary precauti0n
for her to avoid highways, stagecoach-
es and inns of reputation, since prob
ably by this full description Of the
supposed Sir Robin would be word of
mouth from Westminster to Mile End,
and a dozen miles out Of town mayhap
Q price set upon his head!
Once arrived at footing. twas her
intention to double on her tracks, re-
turn with some pumpkins load Of vege-
tables to Garrett lane and thence to foot
1t across country or by penny's worth
rides with village folk, reaching the
neighborhOod Of Kennaston perhaps
late that night, or, If she should be
compelled to sleep under some friendly
farmers roof, at least by the next
high noon.
But her ladyship reckoned, If not
without her hosts. most decidedly with
out taking count Of the weary beast
that dragged her nor yet of any posi-
BILE fellow guests she might encounter
on arriving at the Queen and Artichoke
at footing.
1t was nightfall when. limp and un-
nerved. sorry, disheveled appearing
young parsonage jumped from among
a pile Of oat bags and marched boldly
into the parlor Of the Queen and Arti-
choke.
"Was there q chamber to be had p
For her ladyship plainly saw she must
lie at footing and not proceed on her
homeward journey until the morrow.
There was a chamber, an admission
hesitatingly made even at this modest
hostelry to young gentleman arriv-
ing without either servant, luggage,
box, horse, coach or dog, and by means
Of vile rickety little cart. Yet, such
was her ladyship's swagger, notwith-
standing a full splash Of mud on the
tip end Of her handsome little chin, she
was presently conducted to q decent
chamber upstairs, at the rear, 1t is true,
yet overlooking the green, where q
game of bowls was In progress and
with fine trellis, thick with vines,
beneath its small paned window.
Her ladyship had just eleven pence
ha'penny left in her purse, yet, thought
she, refreshed by a good meal and the
leaving Of her weapon as a hostage for
her lodging, she would better eat than
faint tonight, whatever might betide
on the morrow.
While she washed her hands, after
hiding the bundle under the feather
bed, her ladyship heard the ring Of
horses hoofs on the stone pave Of the
inn yard, and her quick ear even de-
tected the fact that one Of the steeds
went lame.
She peered out of window and beheld
Sir Percy astride Of his own long roam,
with Grigson just dismounting from the
smoking black.
This is cursed luckv mutters the
master as he himself, out of saddle,
stoops to examine the roan's much
swollen of hind leg.
1T is. Sir Percy" returns the man,
"but. by your leave, sir, it may be we
can hire a mount here, although It don't
look too promisin'."
Unlikely" says Sir Percy. 1.-THE
best we can do is to lie in this hole for
the night, and by hot poultice and a
bandage the roam may be In condition
by tomorrow forenoon"
Every well, sir. 1t be a poor place
of entertainment, Sir Percy, with an
ordinary at tenpence, sir" Grigson's
tone of derision is marked by the guest.
who draws close about her face the
cotton curtain of the upper rear cham
Der window.
will you be pleased to be served in
your room, Sir Percy, at once, and of
whatever can be had? What wine,
sir?"
Tut. tut, Grigson. I'll into the orai-
nary. on with you to the stables with
the roam, rub her down and medicine
her. then to your own supper in the
kitchen"
Host" observes Grigson loftily, as
that worthy obseQuiously appears in
the yard with an attendant train. as is
customary in welcoming persons of
quality. ''Sir Percy de Bohun has the
condescension to say he will sup In the
ordinary. and"-
Whatever Mr.. Grigson's further re-
mark may have intended to result In
was at this crisis lost to posterity by
such q Gathering from up on the high
road round the corner of the green lane.
where nestled the Queen and Artichoke,