Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-05-03

clear way, but the whistle brought
three or four men, who set upon me
with swords. Calling to the girl to
run for life, faced about briskly
to meet their attack. But she would
not, and went back with me against
a wall, where they pressed me hard.
Two l pinked so that they drew out
with groans and curses, but one of
the others got in shrewdly on my
left shoulder. was in evil case when
the girl cried in my ear that there
was door at our back. With shout
| sprang out and drove them back a
step, then turning ran after her with
in the door, and bolted and barred it
in their faces.
Within was utter darkness, and we
felt our way along through narrow
passage till we reached room with
window that gave us bit of the
moon. There was a door, but it was
heavily barred. Plainly we could go
no farther, unless we could raise
the house I raped with my dagger
hilt, but there was no answer. After
many trials l gave over, not thinking
it wise to betray our plight to those
in the street.
"How fares it with you, girl?"
said, drawing my companion to where
the moonlight fell.
had expected to find some simple
bourgeois maid, and 10! my gaze fell
upon one richly dressed, with the air
and carriage of a gentlewoman. Half
girl and half grand dame she was,
and the fairest thing mine eyes had
ever lit upon. And with it all some
trick of the memory made me know
had seen her face before.
by Our Lady," l cried, in sheer
surprise, who are you and how came
you here?"
With that l took off my cap and
bowed with all respect.
why" she answered, with a smile
to see me so lost in wonderment, my
carriage was stopped and I was ta'
ken"
Hal" cried, "this is the doing Of
Sir Charles Anthony"
Truly l think so" she said, "and I
think also that shall have no peace
from him till some brave man re-
moves him from this world" And with
tlis she looked at me with broad sig
nificance in her gaze
"As for the rest" she went on, Il
am Eleanor Fairfax, now grown to
woman's full estate, as you may see.
That l am here l have to thank Sir
Francis Beauclerc."
| stood in surprise, hardly able to
trust my ears and eyes, and yet it
brought up in Devonshire.
mot Sir but plain Francis Beau
clerc," I said at length.
"Tut!" she answered, as one who
brings good news, you are behind
the times. Your worthy and loving
brother is dead these seven days,
and even now a messenger searches
for you to wish you JOY"
l would have poured upon her a
flood of questions, but here her eye
fell upon a broad red smudge on my
coat. In vain did I make light of the
cut upon my shoulder, though in faith
twas a shrewd wound and letting out
more blood than l liked; she would
have my coat off instanter, and then
with my dagger she cut open my
shirt and very delicately bound up
the wound with kerchief and scarf,
bemoaning herself the while that she
was the cause of it and pouring out
thanks for her rescue and praise Of
my sword play till I felt myself flush
ing like schoolboy.
Indeed, so tender was the touch OF
her slim, soft fingers, so sweet the
perfume of her, and so enhancing the
sound of her slow, clear voice, that I
would willing have had dozen
wounds for her to dress.
And then was enacted anew the
story which no mans lips are weary
uttering, and of which no woman's
ear will tire. We sat down upon the
steps that led to the door to wait for
the morning light, and, sooth to tell,
| made hot love, and she at first pro-
testing, and shy of listening, came by
degrees to nearken, and presently
as it grew chill, put my coat upon
her shoulders, and with my arm about
her, drew her close the while whis-
pered in her ear.
And then, all of sudden, our love
dreams were shattered in an instant.
For there was a crash as the street
door was battered down, and in pour
er a press of men with torches, Sir
Charles Anthony at their head, cry
ing:
Rescue for Mistress Eleanor Fair
fax! Death to her abductor!"
And even as they came on the door
above us opened, and down the steps
came armed house servants also, with
torches and lanterns. And then when
all paused and instant to see what
was coming next, the girl at my side