The Washington times., 1904-04-17
CHAPTER ii.
An Astonishing Proposition /.

NO sooner naQ erected my reIredA
than 1 regretted it. Had / done right.
asked myself, to go out In that fash
ion and leave the holy edifice at the
mercy of a tramp?
Who was the man, that he had busi-
ness there at that hour? Well. what
business had i there?
The bay was still munching away near
the fence. l was about to go toward
him. when / heard. inside the church.
the mans voice
"Beatrice." he was calling. Beatrice.
my darling."
All. instead of a tragedy. a romance.
Some rustic lover come to keep a tryst
with his rural sweetheart
I walked toward the front OF the
church. AS I came out beyond the
corner, 1 heard the patter of a small
horses hoofs. A moment later / saw
a little steed dash up to the old gate
and a woman dismount.
II was by->this time too dark for me
to tell how old she was. or whether
she was plain or handsome. saw, how
ever, that she wore neat-fitting riding
habit. and that she was closely yelled
a SllnS VI SOiIicAAAAA6 4AnC SASFASACA4
pricked me- The man was rough look
ing. the woman evidently well bred
What could they have in common?
Yet, again. what business was this OF
mine? II they were lovers. it surely
was not my province to halt her and
ask why she preferred such an uncouth
creature to one of her own standing.
Perhaps. thought. she is a New York
girl or one from some large city, hav-
ing a Irritation with an impressionable
countryman. If so. let him thresh his
own oats. II was not my duty to look
out for him.
The woman entered the church, and /
drew back so that she could not see me.
l wondered that neither of them seemed
at all alarmed at sight of the bay, which
certainly argued the presence of a
stranger In or near the church.
Suddenly 1 heard loud sobbing. Sure
ly this was not the orthodox Irritation of
city girl.
MY darlingi Oh. my darlingl"
heard the man say. and his voice vibrat-
ed with some overwhelming emotion.
The woman sobbed. the man caressed.
I no name was uNlNAtO W NAthCkg SCN LILY
/ mind reverted unaccountably to the
headstone on the monument reading.
| Mary. beloved wife of Robert Forrest
/ Where were the Lees In this affair,
! any way? And why was 1 so interest
ed? Was there a magic influence IN that
quiet valley that controlled my foot
steps, my thoughts. my emotion?
Heavens, The thunder of horses
hoofs beat strong on the grassy road.
In the gloom l saw three riders com
ing full tilt from the direction OF one
of the large houses had noticed.
could hear loud and angry voices
IAN elopement spoiled" said 10 my
self. But it's too bad If the man is
thrashed."
For a moment 1 stood irresolute.
Then. in the distance, 1 saw and heard
another coming like the wind to over
take the first three.
ITS four to one" / muttered- 'Tll
/ Just give the man little warning"
1 stepped noiselessly inside the church
| Enough light stil came in through the
windows for me TO see clearly.
/ The man stood near the pulpit. the
[ girl IN a man lditlN Az 'A0 c-AS W as
sobbing convuisively and he was rain.
ing kisses on her lips. L saw that hel
veil was slightly raised.
Her arms were thrown clingIngly
around his neck He supported her In
his two strong ones.
l coughed
With an exclamation of alarm. he al
most hurled her from him, and made a.
If to leap from the window Then h,
turned and flashed n pistol at my head
You'll never. never take me-" he sale
quietly.
IT don't want to take you. foolr'
answered. "I just came to say that foul
men are riding like the devil this wa,
and"
Got go. For Gods sake go at once!'
cried the girl.
The man. with a swift look towards
the door, bent to THE upturned lips o
his companion.
My darlingl My darling. Sweet guar
dian of my hfei" he murmured.
The window" I said hurriedly
They are coming in the gate.
Like an athlete he sprang through
the open window and disappeared.
The girl swayed as II she were abou
to sink to the floor. l stepped to he
to protect her from injury, for feare'
she would fall against the hard seats