The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-04-26
. Skirfed
HiSbsOayman
[originall

Eau DOT our family lost that proud
position we occupied before orr kim
onaries l. lost his head doubtless I
SHOULD have been one Of the maddest.
merriest maidens in the revelries in
tne houses of the country gentry. NV
rather was killed at Marston Moor
nghting for his sovereign, our estates
Were confscated and the family was
doomed. At twenty l was without the
wnerewithal to buy my bread. Then
one day a gentleman to whom NV fa.
Their had lent EGO sought me out and
paid me the amount as his creditors
only living descendant.
My heart was full of rancor espe-
cially toward the Roundheads. who
had taken our estates. l was toll and
strong with heart devoid of fear.
Had | been man 1 would have gone
for a soldier, but my sex would soon
be unmasked, and l preferred some
scene of action, wherein could work
alone. resolved to take to the road.
With the f2O paid me l purchased
horse, equipments and arms. I would
not don mans attire, preferring a
short close fitting habit, and instead
of a nask | wore a thick veil. | wish
ed for my first victims those shave
pate Puritans who lived near my
former home and to whom we owed
our downfall.
So one night as the darkness was fall
ing spurred along the road / had Of
ten trudged to school bent on plumber.
Fearing to falter in my work and put it
off till l should meet some defenseless
creature whose weakness would shame
me, l resolved to attack the first way
farer l met. Hearing a horses hoofs
on the road and seeing the dim out
line of his rider, l drew a pistol, and
when he came near enough to see me
its muzzle stared him in the face.
was so frightened that l did not take
notice whether the man was one of
ours or a Roundhead. His raising his
hat CALAMITY as to woman of quality
told me that he was Cavalier.
IL am pleased" he said, "to surren-
der to a highwayman of your sex,
though it Jars my pride to do so. Here
is my wallet with f10 in it. Take it
and get away with it as quickly as pos
sible. There be those coming who
might interfere with your keeping it."
"No," replied. you are royalist.
rob no royalist."
''Then take the purse for a loan"
"Thls is too much. / purpose to rob
you, and you generously offer that with
which to meet my necessities"
My voice trembled, and l felt that
would fain rest my head on his breast,
for there was something familiar in
his voice, and withal tone of kindli-
ness.
"Take it." he said, with deep sad
ness in his manner. Il would l had
more with me-"
ITO whom shall return it?"
"Sir George Hilditch."
He had placed his pursein my hand,
and l would have tossed it back to
him but for the sound of horsemen
coming. Under my veil my cheek was
burning. George Hilditch had years
agone carried my books to school for
me, and of all the boys had pined fol-
him for my sweetheart. In a twinkling
he had left me, and l sat like an image
of stone till the horsemen, coming near.
er. warned me TO be gone.
This was my first robbery. The next
was a fat old psalm singer who had
succeeded to our homestead and was
then living in it. l took nearly f3OC
from him, and on this resolved to sub
'sist without further depreciation til
my funds were all gone. Hearing that
Sir George Hllditch was to give
masked ball, l determined to attend
In the costume of Spanish dancer
entered the house by rear door ano
not long after was treading a measure
with Sir George himself. After the
dance he led me to a secluded corner
where we sat and chatted. He seemed
TO mistake me for another, who, from
what he said, gathered had hoped tC
be mistress of his household. tool
ND with this and made love to him.
mo" he said, IT shall never marry
When a boy l gave my heart to little
girl who has been my dream ever since
Had not her family gone down in The
struggle that lost us our king | nigh
have wooed her for my wife. As 1t Is,
have no temptation for marriage
"Will you give me her manner
81 care not who knows her name. i
is Margery St John"
Thrustlng my hand in my pocket
drew forth wallet in which ha'
placed f1O and put 1t In his hand.
whats thisf" he asked.
made 10 answer, for ] could moi
NV heart was wild with strange emo
lions. He opened the purse and TOOL
out the money.
II have guessed Alright" he said, "
/ nr.......r fha ufOllf won roll