The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-01-18
THE HICHWAYMAD
A Tale of the OLden Time
BY Julia Downing

BY Julia Downing

FOOTED and spurred, and CARRIED as a
X man, she stood on the cobbled foot
- way in the winkng starlight. With
the old hunting-crop in one hand, and the
other upon Toms withers. she gazed through
the soft night gloom to the ground: 1t was
a moment of hesitation. Then Tom flung
up his head and Weighed his plant against
the fortune which had thrust him from his
warm stable in midnight hours to the labors
Of the saddle. The sound filled her with
swift alarms, and the hesitation fed; in
trice she had lightly leaped to the saddle.
and Tom sped through the darkened village
street, between the rows Of dim windows.
behind which the good folk snored the sleep
of the weary. But Toms feet made ter.
rble clatter on the road. and she was glad
enough when they came to the miry high
way beyond. where his hoof-beats became
rhythmic thuds. Onward for three miles
den be wary, and guided to the grass at
the side of the track. He stepped daintily
now, being an animal of intelligence and
knowing the hand upon the rein perfectly.
Afar on the air came the beat of other
hoofs.
Tom came to standstill obediently. and
stood with never SO much as a paving OF
the ground. The hoof-beats drew nearer
and nearer; then dimly figure ioomed
in the feeble starlight. The hand upon
the rein quiyered one brief instant ere Tom
felt himself hurled forward, to intercept the
progress of the approaching cavalier.
'Stand!'
The newly arrived horse SHE'D. and would
have skirted about Toms nose and escaped;
but the road was not too wide, and Tom
neatly prevented the nervous movement hav-
ing its effect
"Deliver!"
in those threatening tones rather puzzled
him.
"Deliver your bag" she demanded next.
Having steadied his horse somewhat, the
newcomer spoke for the hrst time what
bag. friend?"
Don't handy words, my fine fellow"
pardon me, have no bag" was the re-
ply 49,,
there was faint outline Of cooked pis-
toll. "This will bring you to your senses"
quoth She Nov, then, my man. the bag.
ii protest; you are mistaken in your
man, friend. I am but belated traveller,
and one but poorly equipped for gentlemen
of your profession to attack. Il haven't the
price of nights lodging upon me, ior'
Gods my witness, I've been robbed al
ready, and but escaped with my life and my
horse. Your confreres have been before
bah! pretty tale. but one you'll not
persuade me into believing. Out with the
bag from under yon cloak !"
"How shall l give up what l do not pos
"Give up what you are carrying: you are
but servant. and need fear nothing II you
do my bidding.
The other did not answer at once; then
he said;
slim slip OF boy to be engaged in this
"'Tis your hasty Judgment that calls it
unworthy" was the retort. Look you now.
I'll be honest with you. l have no desire
to hurt you, and If you give up what am
seeking you may go on your way unframed
Otherwise" and the arm went up again
with the cooked pistol in the hand.
We'll, having admitted that l am un,
said the other. But I repeat, have moth
ing to give up. IL .'twere King George him
self asking me-"
only to extract from it certain document
II contains. l will then destroy the same.
and my business will be concluded"
Again the stranger hesitated ere speak
ing. and leaned a little towards his nelghbor.
~ get the idea that you are not we'll
seasoned rogue yet" he said; your metn,
DDS are-well. scarce peremptory enough.
"Oh, can be peremptory enough. warn
you." was the quick response. Il but give
you the chance of settling my demand with
out unnecessary dispute.
81 have already shown you that I am
aHmi And you want certain bag. and
out OF that bag certain document!
"But how can we sort papers to discover
the particular one you seek in the dark
no trouble about that" came the swift
repiy 81 have a lantern and finder box
II see you are prepared for all contin-
Rencies Very well. then. will you make
ready the light while I loosen the buckles
and break the sealf"
No sooner suggested that she dismounted
and began to unfasten the lantern from the
saddle.
You seem to have a slim figure and
light one. friend. remarked the otner.
Judging BY the airiness Of your flight from