The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-11-29

the landlord and he postboys were
discussing in tones that could be
heard above the howl OF the wind the
possibility Of proceeding further that
night.
The postboys, Il seemed, had made
up their minds that so much as an
other mile was out OF the question,
urging that the horses were spent
with the gale and the heavy roads.
That the traveller was equally averse
TO any delay was apparent, though
Lawford could not catch his words,
and the landlord. after the manner Of
his kind, in one breath gave it as his
opinion that the storm was passing,
in another that the roads were likely
to be bad beyond Malham.
Then IL was that the Squire, losing
| all patience, saw fit to intervene. Out
OF bed he sprang, and, tearing the
curtains aside, flung open the win
! dow. In the rain a coach was stand
ing. The landlord was at the door,
! four travel stained horses were paw
! ing the muddy road and their drip
ping riders had already dlsmoun4ed.
"Landlordi" cried he, as the wind
! caught the easement and swung It
back with rattle against the wall,
us that gentleman going to pass the
night beneath this window? Let him
come inside, or bid the ra5cas drive
on. Must every guest I'm thy inn be
reused by this pother?'
The innkeepcr stepped into the
light Of the coach lamps and looked
up.
II am sorry, sir" said ne. "but It's
n lady She says she must go for
ward, and the men say it IS impos-
sible."
To clinch the matter the postboys
were about TO loose the traces.
Hold. knaves," cried Richard
Lawford. wide awake in moment,
cor as sure as | am a justice OF the
Kings peace, ye shall rue It. Land
lord, give the lady my service and say
that within ten minutes | shall es-
teem 1t an honor to drive her myself"
Into his clothes he hurried, ani,
half dressed, broke into the room
whore the baronet was snoring.
"Rouse .hee, man." cried he, shak-
ing the sleeper, "heres n lady at the
inn with a couple OF rascals who, for
the gale, swear that they won't take
her coach a mile further. | have
vowed to find her postboys, so bestir
thyself, man, and in ten minutes thou
shalt be astride the near leader"
Tom Ewing binked.
"Ecod, Dick, what mad freak has
seized thee at this hour of the night?"
The Squire was as good as his
word. Lightly he sprang down the
stairs, followed by the staggering
barorct, who had spent but little time
In dressing, since he had fallen
asleep in his boots The postboys had
made themselves scarce, and the land
lord stood by the horses as Lawford
went to the window of the coach. A
shadowy form was but family out
lined in the darkness, as a soft voice
stammercd a few words OF tlmid
thanks for the service he did her.
TO StrottOn, sayest thou, mad
ame?" said he. Stretton was little
u.
TO Stretton, sir, IL it please YOU.
answered the woman, "and from my
heart thank YOU and your friend for
this courtesy"
The Squire turned from the win
| dow; he had done lis best to catch 4
glimpse Of the lady's features. and
had failed. He was puzzled. What
could woman be doing alone with
hired servants at that hour OF the
| night?
With n glance at the axles he
swung himself into the saddle, slack
cned the stirrup feathers by two holes
and called TO Ewing, who was astride
the near leader, that he should start.
An hours sleep and the &ldden ex-
element had sobered the baronet.
but he had need OF all his wits. for
the night was pitch dark. The
horses were tired; the road was deep
in mud; 1t was fortunate that the
near wheeler was a stout, raw-bonei
| beast, for the Squire was above post
boys weight. SO high blew the gale
that Ewing would now and again
| look backward DER his shoulder 20
satisfy himself that his comrade and
the coach were with him, and that lie
was not only a postillion in the land
OF dreams, after all.
As for the Squire, ne'er lad he
felt so light Of Eeart; twas an adven-
ture such as he loved: not shadow
of regret for the bed he had left be-
hind troubled him. nor thought of the
lodging that might he their lot at the
| journeys end. Sir Thomas, on the
contrary, had been speculatirg upon
the chances of the latter and con-
graduated himsel, upon having
solved the problem.
"A cousin to my wife lives at STREET
ton" shouted he TO the Squire. "lf
the inn is full, we can beg bed OF
him, though. l. faith. will not an
swer for his Welcome at .his hour
of the night"
Ag rai1n fnl1nwDd ,,fIn ,bD ,.g~,4