Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-02-11
CHAPTER III.
JOHN Law OF LAURIsToN.


JOHN Law OF LAURISTON.
Unconsciously the coachman obeyed
the unvoiced command of this man,
who stepped out from the shelter of the
hedge. Travel-stained, Just awakened
from sleep, disheyeled, with dress dis
ordered, there was none the less album
dant boldness in his mien as he came
forward, yet withal the grace and de-
ference Of the courtier. 1t was good
figure he made as he stepped down
from the bank and came forward, hat
in hand, the sun, now rising to the top
of the hedge, lighting up his face and
showing his bold profile, his open and
straight blue eye.
Ladies', he said, as he reached the
road, q crave your pardon humbiy.
This, think, is the coach of my lord,
the earl Of Banburs Mayhap this is
the Lady Catharine Knoisys to whom
speak?a
The lady addressed still gazed at
him, though she drew up with dignity.
You have quite the advantage st
us, said she. She glanced nneasily at
the coachman, but the order to go for
ward did not quite leave her lips.
q am NOT aware do not Know
she began, afraid of her adventure now
it had come, after the way of all
dreaming maids who pirate of men and
conquests.
& should be duh of eye did not see
the Knollys arms" said the stranger,
smiling and bowling low. And l
should be i'll advised Of the families
Of England did not know that the
daughter of Knollys, the sister of the
earl of Banbury, is the Lady Catharine,
and most charming also. This ] might
say, though It's true | never was in
London or in England until now
AS though it were another person,
Lady Catharine heard herself murEsgr,
"And you, sir?
Il am John Law, of Lauriston, Sc =
land, madam, and entirely at ye1r
service. That is my brother VIII, yol-
der by the bank" He smiled, and the
younger man came forward. hesitating
/ ly, and not with the address of his
brother, though yet with the breeding
of a gentleman
The eyes Of Mary Connynge took in
both men with the same look, but her
eyes, as did those of the Lady Cath
arine, became most concerned with the
first speaker.
My brother and are on our first
/ journey to London, continued he, with
a say laugh which did not consort
fully with the plight in which he
showed I'VE started by coach, as gen
tIemen; and now we come on foot, like
laborers or thieves. Twas my own
| fault Yesterday | must needs quiz
the Edinboro' stage. Last night oul
chaise was stopped. and we were asked
to hand our money to a pair of evil
fellows who had made prey of u.s. In
short-you see-we Jared i'll enough
Lost in the dark, we made what shift
we could along this road, where we
j both are strangers. At last, not able
to pay for better quarters even had we
found them, we lay down to sleep. !
have slept far worse And It's a lovely
morning Madam, thank you for this
happy beginning of the day
The face of Will Law hardly offered
complete proof Of this assertion. He
had slept Ill enough, and in the morn
ing light his face showed gaunt and
pale. Here, then, was a situation most
inopportune: the coach of two ladies'.
unattended, stopped by two strangers,
who certainly could not claim introduce
ton by either friend or reputation.
Il did but wish to ask some advice
of the roads hereabout," said the elder
brother. turning his eyes full upon
those of Lady Catharine. AS you see.
we are in i'll plight to get forward to
the city. II you will be SO good as to
| tell me which way to take, / shall re-
| member it most gracefully. Once in
| the city, we should do better, for the
rascals have not taken certain papers.
| letters which bear to gentlemen In
the city-zSir Arthur Pembroke NAV
name as one--a friend of my fathers
| who hath had some dealings with him
| in the handling Of moneys. | have
also word for others. and make sure
that, once we have got into town, W.
shall SOON mend our fortune