The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-03
MY LADY'S KISS
BY rzoLA L. FoRREsTER.

Heath. Hastings rode out into the cen- ter of the road and halted, silent and cxpectant, his eyes bright and steady behind his mask. It was nearly an hour past sunset. A nebulous crescent moon half showed above the tops of the chestnuts in Dolmar wood back of him. Ahead the west was full oy rose color, fading in mid sky to palest, opalescent green.
 The air was warm and curiously still with the hush of twilight. Only the high call of night bird from the marsh, now and then, cut the silence, and the hoofbeats of the coach horses on the road. He had waited two hours for the last sound Ellis and Habbe- ton had sworn she would pass at six. She muet if she changed horses at Wes- sing. It was eight by Hastings's watch. He looked at it now, lefsurely. and as he slipped it back under his cloak the coach stopped short in front of him. There was a leveled pistol in his disengaged hand
 Barnaby was on the box. as Ellis had said he would be. He wished FL lis could have seen the fright in his face now. as he bade him climb down < and stand some distance away, up near the sign post, with his hands up.
 There was no sign of life from the coach. Lord, but she was a lady of
 
 est cry for help. Hastings rode up to the door and opened it. It was dark within. but he caught a glimpse in the soft. rose light of her face, a white young face, very proud and very an- gry.
 Hastings never hesitated. If M were to be done, he must do 1t, and be of and away. It would be eleven be- fore he could reach London. Slipping from his horse. he raised his mask and leaned forward in the shadow of the coach towards the white face. He kissed her fairly on the lips, as had been expressly designated. but as he reached for the medallion, her hand flashed up from the silk and lace of her crumbied in blinding fire and whirring noise. for Hastings. as he fell forward Into the coach, his head at her feet, and death gripping him fast.
 It was night when he became con- sctous. Cool and chill, too. He did not move. but lay staring upwards, trying to remember. She had shot him. Lord, but she was a fair lady of courage. Shot him down for high wayman because lie had stolen a kiss fro mher lips. But he had kissed her all the same, and the winnings were his. It was late. The pain in his head was sharp. and there was a
 
 too. He must manage to get up and find Kit, his mare. and get back. El- lis and Habbeton were to meet him at the Sign of the Dancing Bar at day break.
 He sat up stiffiy. his hands gripping straw and chilly stones. instead of the soft turf of Dolmar Heath. He saw the barred square of moonlight above his head and understood. He was in jail. My lady's courage had carried her farther than mere bullets. High waymen who stole kisses must be jailed He laughed grimly, and won dered if he was to be hung also. My lady's kisses came dear. Yet not so dear. It had been a sweet kiss for all that.
 A key scraped in the lock, and there was the yellow gleam of a lam tern when the door half opened
 T will keep the light" said a voice And if should call, come quickly"
 The door was closed, and Hastings stood up from the straw bed, and bowed his head, dizzy and wild in it's pain as from a fever. But he knew her in spite of the long cloak and hood. The hand that held the lantern up was small, and firm and white. You are better?" Her tone was one of surprise
 Thank you. my lady. I am some- what better" said Hastings. T fam cied I was dead"
 T hoped you were by this" Her voice was low. She set the lantern down on the stool, and loosened the hood so that 1t fell back from her face Tt would have bSen better"
 No thanks to your ladyship that I am not" Hastings bowed once more and stood erect, weak and somewhat hostile. She, flushed, and raised her chin a trifie higher.
 T was nasty. I did not wish to kill you"
 But you thought was better dead?"
 Her lips parted In a half smile.
 'Highwaymen do not rob as you do. would not have shot you if you had stolen my purse"
 And if I had but stolen your purse you would not have come here to- night.i'
 She did not answer for a moment He watched the sparkle of anger lean to her eyes at his words and her hand moved towards the lantern. Suddenly she looked in his eyes again, and the anger mad left her own. There was a sweet solmenity in her voice and manner as she said:
 They will hang you at noon to- morrow"
 Have you come to tell me that?"
 His tone was light and cruel. She answered gravely and haughtily.
 came to tell you, yes. Because I have said that you were a robber and should die. But have thought since then, and I am in doubt as 10 whether you are or not. Have you no friends who would come to you? will see that message reaches them"
 He smiled. His friends. Ellis and Habbeton testing and roystering fin the little side room at the Dancing Bear' waiting for him to come and join them, toss the medallion on the table and claim the wager fairly won. A message of distress to them. from condemned highwayman lying in Wessins jail, would but increase the jest. ''Ae
 My friends would not care to be annoyed" he said. Thank you for your pity. my lady,"
 But Her hands held the edges of her long cloak tightly, as she pazeS at him frowningly. You are no high "ayman. Why did you do it?"
 His heart beat faster at the cbaI. lenge. Why had he? He looked at tba tall, slender figure, at the pride in tbe curve Of cheek and chin, and sweet close mouth. The clear blue eyes +bat met this own so fairly were those of o brave opponent.
 T did it'-he spoke quickly reck- lessly caring for nothing except to let her know the truth if she would It could not matter now. At noon thev were to hang him. q did it for no