Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-07-08

Just the other side or the Perkins
wood. I will have a horse and phaeton
waiting ON this side. There is wood
mans road there that leads to the main
road; we can take that. and have a jolly
long ride. But I shall have a fuss to
get her into the vehicle, expect; how
ever, I shall manage it some way, never
fear.''
Laughing gayly over the fun in pros
pect the two separated to put in force the
mischief they had brewed.
Poor Ethel left the house without a
suspicion of what awaited her; glad, in
fact, that she could thus enjoy stroll
after the confinement of that close, hard
day.
She found Mr.. Perkins at home, and
and transacted the business with which
she had been intrusted.
This completed, she turned her face
homeward. All went well with her until
she approached the woods. At their en-
trance she found. on consulting her
watch that it was quarter past four
Il shall reach the hall just about five" !"
she thought, land so please Sir Reginald.
1 would not have liked being late, after
what he said"
Suddenly she was startled by a sound
at her side, then, to her surprise and cha
grin, Robert Glendenning stepped direct
ly in her path.
my dear Miss Nevergail, this is a de-
Eghtful meeting in delightful place.
Where may your curiosity have taken
you?'
MY curiosity, Mr.. Glendenning, took
me nowhere. I have merely been to
transact a matter of business for Sir
Reginald and am now on my way home
Being in a hurry, I would be glad to pass
on
"Not SO fast, not. so fast, my pretty
girl; surely you will linger awhile in this
romantic place, now that you have some
one to enjoy the beauties of the wood
with you?''
mo, Mr.. Glendenning," was the digni-
fed reply; 81 cannot linger a moment.
Sir Reginald desired my immediate re.
turn, and cannot keep him waiting"
Nevertheless, my sweet creature, he
will wait; for you cannot return just
now, as I intend for. once to fully enjoy
your society,""
So saying, the bold young man. at:
tempted to take her hand, to draw it un-
der his arm.
Snatching it instantly away, Ethel fix
ed upon him stern look and ordered him
to stand aside.
Not needing her in the least, he impu-
dently slipped his arm around her waist,
exclaiming:
Perhaps you would like this way of
walking better. 1t makes no difference
to me-"
Shaking off his arm, Ethel pushed him
aside Indignantly, then with rapid steps
preased onward. Not word more was
spoken by either, although, to her dis
may, Ethel found that he kept persever-
ingly by her side.
As they emerged from the woods, Rob
ert grasped her arm firmly with one
hand, while with the other he produced
from his pocket a pistol, which he in
stantly pointed at her.
''Now, Miss Nevergail," he said, 'you
stand still and hear what 1 have to say,
or take the consequences. I do not in
tend to harm you, if you keep perfectly
quiet; but 1 do intend to show you that
1 am master of the situation at this time.
You need not look round for assistance,
for assure you, no soul comes this way
at this hour"
Robert Glendenning," at last issued
from the girls pale lips, put up that
my way unmolested. Sir Reginald re-
quires my presence immediately"
$50 do 1; and, what is more, 1 intend
to have it, so he must wait. Do you see
that horse and phaeton, behind those
trees? They are there expressly to take
you riding. 1 ask you therefore, politely,
will you favor me with your company?'
mo, sir!"
Eyes, sir, you mean. If you do not
mean it, it makes no difference, as ride
with me you will. Go forward now, at
once. to that conveyance, and let me
assist you in; 1 assure you 1 will bring
you back to the Hall in good season. Go
on! 1 am determined you shall obey
mer'
These words he enforced by planting
the cold mouth of the weapon against her
forehead. Now this pistol, though it
looked formidable, was not loaded, and
he knew it, but for the sake of carrying
his point, he intended fully to frfghten
her into complying with his strange wish.
But Ethel was a brave girl, and though.
pale, she never even shuddered Fixing
her eyes fearlessly on his, she said in
firm, stern voice:
IF you think it manly, or wise, to
shoot, shoot away! But 1 will not stir
one step towards that phaeton.''
fTn no