Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1905-02-04
CHAPTER fIf.-(Continued.k

from Cripps, except that he passed the
"Black Horse" that day little earlier
than usual, and had not brought his sis
ter Esther. who was to have met him at
the "Golden Cross" He had come home
By way of Elsfeld, having something to
deliver there, and had given n lift to
old Shepherd Wakeling; but that could
have naught to do with 1t.
1t was now getting dark, and the
Squire every moment grew more and
more uneasy. Keep all this nonsense tn
yourself now. Cripps." ne said. as he
slowed the bag under n tub. and care.
fully covered his daughters hair. and
the piece of paper, with n straining sieve;
1T might annoy me very much IT this
Joke went any further. you know.
can trust Thomas to hold his tongue, and
i hope l can trust you. ncighbor Grips.
"Aour honor knoweth what be-" an.
swered the loyal carrier. Ever since
] were boy-but there, they all knows
what I be-"
Master Cripps, with his brain "a good
piece doiled." as he afterwards said of
1t, made his way back to the cart. He
took up the rcins. and made little flour
ish with his brass-bound whip. and Dob
bin put up his head. and started with
uiS uOst CONVENIENT IOOt.
II dunno what to make Of this here
start said Grips to himself. and his
horse and cart, as soon rs he had smit-
ten his broad chest long enough to arouse
circulation. "Seemcth TO me queer
thing truly. But never were hand
at riddle. Wugg then, Dobbin! Wun'not
60 home tonight y
Meanwhile the old Squire. with a
1n1 tn1 IL,
about, and listening for the rumble OF
his sisters carriage, the clank of horses
hoofs. and the ring Of wheels upon the
frozen rond. lie could not believe that
any one In the world would hurt his dur.
ling Oracle. Everybody loved her 80.
and the whole parish was so fond of her.
and she had such way of easing every
ones perplexities, that IL any villain
burst even think Of touching hair of
her blessed head--yet whose hair was II
whose hair was II? And such a guam.
tity as never could have been cut with
her consent!
This Is too much! I cannot bear it,
he said to himself. after many turn,
and anxious search Of the distance
"Jonn's carriage should have been here
long ago. My darling wou.u have made
them keep their time. cannot stop
here; must 20 to meet them. But
need not startle any one"
Heavy snow-clouds had been gathering
oil the afternoons: and as he passed
through n side gate into the lane, and
turned his mares head eastward, the for.
ward flakes were borne by the sharp
wind into his white whiskers. I'VE shall
have n course night of II, I doubt" he
said to himself, M he buttonc,l his cont.
At every turn Of the lane he hoped to
meet his sisters chariot. But corner
after corner he turned. md mct mn cor.
riage. no cart, no horse. nor even 40
much as n man afoot: only the snow
getting thicker and sharper. and Tho
wind beginning to wall to II.
Eoo. .,r,ob ,,,,.r % nj. .. A..
frost cs no Turned tho Inst corr"r 90 sI h,a
WV wi,hout ,ns.,,no nrosonca -. ,atn"
NJ ri. sistcr mr. din Fling d,n.htor IN ,ha
SeenenIn9 snow no dew Gis horsa "n
under the two great yew trees that ovor.
hung his sisters cate. md fumbIeI h,
tho dark for the handle. The bell In
the porch of the house changed deeply,
and the mastiff heavily bayed Mt him;
but he had to make the bell clang thrice
before any servant appeared.
"Who be you there" at last a gruif
voice asked. without stretch Oh courtesy.
open the gate, you young oaf," cried
the Squire. II suppose you are one Of
tho new lot, ehY Not to know me,
Worth Oglander."
"Why couldn't you have said 80 then p
the surly fellow answered, as he slowly
opened one leaf OF the gate.
"Such a fellow wouldn't be with me
half day. Are you too big for your
work, sirf Run Oh before me-, YOU pie
crust IN pumps, or You shall taste my
whip, SIR
The footman. for once In his life, took
ms 'eet up ana ran III n'uster OK rage
anu urror 10 tne iroht uoor. MT. w,
.a".ss ",r"eh MS n'are, anu she stnrtea
:. 1911. tna. a., ne scarcely pni'ea , ner nead UP
u"uSr Tue co'eWe OK h'S sisters porch.
Mn"t u ~. ms ! would neg 10
SNOW you ti,'hN 10 ir'ghten me, You
are mistaken On WORTH IL II! WORTH
Whatever 40 70" mean ny making SUCH
. commot'oh!
Three or four frightened maids were
peeping, safe In the gloom of the en-
trance hall: while the lady of the house
came forward bravely In the lamp light.
VIII speak to You presently, Joan,
SAID the squire, as he vainly searched.
win railing heart, for some dear face
behind her. Here. Bob, l know you at
any rate; take the old mare to the sta
ble."
Then. with sign to his sister, he fol.
hne i,,k<, lt,,t,,