Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
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weird shadows across the room and
S=sss%=S only partly lit up the faces of the two
E&EsGSND players. But they showed well enough
the sckly palor of the younger man
ana the CLEAN of triumph in the eyes of the
elder
Sdeath, man. you leave me without an acre
OF land; would you take away the very roof over
my head?" said the younger hoarsely as he lick.
ed his dry lips.
Nay, listen, friend, one more stake" replied
the other leaning forward.
We'll, well, what is it? Methinks there is
naught left"
Ihe hand of your daughter" said the other
man, and all the rest is cancelled"
by Heaven, mol" exclaimed the father. 'You
are no husband for her. Why man, you are nv
senior by ten years.
Then is Miles Holyoake favored suitor ofter
all, in spite of his yeoman blood and the family
quarrelT' said the elder man, Watching his com.
panlon with cat-like eyes.
POUNDS, no! Miles Hoyoake shall not have
her either exclaimed the father, springinr nm
and pacing the room. Gas for you. Chesborouph
you nave brought things to pretty mass 10
play for my daughters hand"
lie stared stupidity at the card-table and at Sir
George Chesborough with his dissipated face
and cleaning eyes.
Think" said Chesborough "you bring her 70
rum If you refuse. Otherwise I make her NV
Lady Besides, you may win. In which case
you win back your acres and your roof-tree. The
luck may turn The man shrugged his shoul.
ders and smiled cynically
"Ah the luck may change" cried Gascoiono
returning to the table with feverish light in
his eye Then the stake is my daughters hand.
Done! We play once more"
= silent figure in the window seat rose az
though from nap, and, saying with a yawn.
"I'm going to bed, Uncle. Good night. Mr. Gas,
he tbo
Once out of the mems hearing, he became
awake and alert He hurried to the stableyard
held an earnest conversation with one of the
men, led his horse softly over the grass and
then galloped as though for dear life Scarcely
a minute later, another rider left the nlace in
a different direction.
Cary Chesborough hastened to Mr. Gascoipnes s
house. His laundering knock at the door brought
the old butler, with all possible speed "I must
speak to Miss GriZel at once" he said in per.
emptory tones.
Lord, sir, she's gone to bed," said the butler,
opening his eyes wide.
"Her woman then, Jerry-instantlv nc vou
love your lady's honor"
The old butler hastened away mutterinp and
Cary strode through to the stable-yard reused
up the sleepy coachman, and insisted upon his
getting ready the horses and old yellow travelling
coach.
It's as much as my place is WORTH" protested
the man.
II tell YOU, man, you will be back in ccuole
of hours and no one the wiser. The master will
not be back till morning, he and my uncle are
making night of it."
He returned to the house to find Mistress Rot
ty awaiting him on tiptoe with excitement.
All Betty, good girl" he exclaimed pressing
her hand, and leaving something substantial be.
hind in it, Get your mistress up, and tell her
there must be no more delay. She must Ay with
me at once. / give you Just twenty minutes
Hap &c i
uncle at this very minute. He has not a chance
against my uncle. He has been losing all the
evening, and his hand shakes like an aspen That
ought to make her listen to reason, and lay aside
her scruples'
Betty nodded, and flew to do her part wbilo
Cary returned to the stables. Precisely twenty
minutes later two cloaked figures Joined him
there.
Cary raised the little hand to his lips as he
handed Grizel into the coach, then, climbing in
after Betty, he bade Che coachman go forward
with all speed.
The frightened Grizel clung to Carys arm and
asked for further explanations, which he gave
her. adding in soothing tones that they should
not fetch her back, for she would be wife ere
twelve hours had sped, THE day will be well
advanced before they discover your fight" he
said. ''Try and sleep, or you win look but
pale bride"
In hours time they reached an inn, which
late though it was, seemed, by the lights and
movement, to expect visitors. The landlord met
them in the doorway. "The coach is all ready,
sir" he said ''Your servant brought us warn
ing. and bade me say he had done what you bid Z"
Good, said Cary approvngly, and the two
women were transferred from the one coach to
the other
'Now, all you have to do is to ride home
clean the coach, and hold your tongue" said
Cary to Mr.. Gascoigne's coaehman. "Here is
money DOR you, and you shall have more"
The EascoiQne coach turned hOmeXVarda and
the journey resumed
Two hours later, when dawn was creeping
across the sky, -Four Mile Cross came into view
Two horsemen stood waiting, as if expecting the
coach
The driver came to an abrupt standstill, and
dow.