Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-06

mingled with the summer air
when I opened my door and
looked forth upon the courtyard. The
landlord gently deprecated the events
Of the previous evening. Offering, as it
might be to fastidious guest, an apol-
ogy for a headstrong young scape
grace.
They're not like us of the eastern
counties, sir" says he. ''They bit
Welsh hereabout. It's a contamina.
ton, to my way of thinking. But.
there, all sorts of blood go to make
nation, and that's the TRUTH
But he volunteered few additional
particulars about Montgomery.
Not bad sort, sir, at heart but
he's running to seed here. He's taken
a main fancy to you. That l could spy
ut a look. But it's poor prospect for
him. with land dwindling away to
nothing. and Llanthony is shabby
house for young gentleman as he
should be-"
Llantlony, it appears, was the name
Of Montgomery's paternal estate in the
Gwent And, in fact, it was for this
event that was bound this morning.
The prospect of those rolling hills at
tracted me with some force. had an
appetite for the wilderness of that back
country, unscarred, as l learned, by
the track of any railway. 1t was in
way virgin, at the least property pri-
vate from the world. AS l struck
across the Ray and directed my horse
toward the long red slope of the as
cent looked back upon the little town
and discovered it wrapped in noun
tain humors.
Llanthony, according to my host, lay
at the back Of the first hill, some four
miles from Raymond, but as the estate
was not my particular aim, and, if 1t
had been, I had no one to guide me,
roamed indefinitely through byways
over circuit Of the upper Gwent and
finally drew up in the village of Llanei-
Ian about the hour of lunch. This vii
lage lay mile or so from the more
open districts Of the Gwent and within
the privy borders of the great forest IT.
self. 1t would have been easy to throw
the reins upon the horses neck and to
wander, lost in the abysms of that will
derness, for the villages were scattered
at great distance and the habitations
of the settlers were at long intervals.
It was somewhere about 5 in the after
noon, and as I rode down into spa
cious valley few miles from Llanel-
Ian. that the monotony of this desultory
journey was broken by an event Of
some moment.
A pretty brook rippled through the
wood and was crossed upon a rude
bridge AS it CHANGED, my horse fell
suddenly lame, and I had dismounted
on the farther edge of the stream to
examine his hoof when heard sounds
as of a struggle in the close brake to
my left, and upon that shrill shout as
of one crying for assistance. Leaving
the bay without further ado, for he was
of mild mettle, jumped into the copse
and ran toward the noises, shouting as
1 went to encourage the wayfarer who
was calling for aid.
The cries had already ceased, but a
cracking and brushing in the under
growth still directed me. and, bursting
through the furze and brier, came out
very suddenly upon the verge Of the
little brook and almost fell over the
form of man who lay doubled upon
the earth. AS stumbled and shifted
to regain my balance had a glimpse
Of 1.-the, lean bodied fellow vanish
ing precipitately into the copse. But
obviously it was to the victim that
must first turn my mind rather than to
any fugitive assailant. He was man,
as guessed, Of some sixty years or
more, very bald of the head and under
the middle stature. Across his white
and shining forehead was a streak Of
blood, which drew from me an excla-
nation as helped him to HIS feet.
"It is not mine," said he, with com
placent smile. Il go better prepared
than my years would suggest"
mo bones broken?" l inquired.
He shook his head leaning upon my
arm and breathing painfully.
"a bruise or two, and no wind in my
belly-no more was fool to have
forgotten my pistol"
The words recalled me to the thought
Of the runaway, to whom attributed
this scurvy trick upon an old gentle
man.
"What was the cause?" asked.
"Some highway theft"
Hardly that" he remarked thought
fully, and pulling forth an ancient
snuffhox with deliberation. mo, 1
could scarcely describe him as that"
1 made motion to withdraw, recol-
lecting hastily that it was my duty to
ascertain some tidings of the ruffian,
but the old gentleman, observing my
intention, put his hand upon my Shout
der.
81 would not worry" said he suave-
ly. cit is of small consequence as it
happens. Now, had you come up mo-
ment LATER he continued, regarding
me with faint smile, Il could hardly
have put limit on this business, but
as it is
Surely broke in shortly, you will
have the brute arrested if you can rec
ognize him again?'
Recognize him?" murmured the old
gentleman, shutting gently and with an
air Of consideration from his fingers.
Yes, dare say / should know him,
l,,f 7 on, o,,ra vor will allow mo fn