Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-01-11
THE HICHWAYMAID
! A Tale of the OLden Time
By Julia Downing

By Julia Downing

Snick went the steel againo, =,
out ieaped the spark upon tbn - me tla
shortly the two figures and ' ~. Under an
vironment were illumined in ' tba near q.
light from the lantern. 'ue QuayGb,
Now for the bag" cried the o,
the lantern, holding it so as to got owner o.
of the cavaliers features, forgsettss glnps
so doing the radiance fell also uI that +
1t revealed a slender figure ii IPo "a Aerea
Dlue coat much too large for II 'eWSSa
lar budding about the shopjdoreS The Gl
ample wrinkles as to partially bia SUD
tails falling to the heels. For t the .cutavg
were baggy -breeches, roomv resi- EST tier
bearing spurs, and a cooked bss. Wp'bOSs
black velvet riding mask. N"' above
"A very creditable disguise" said IN.
Disguise, sir?" was the quick rs,o,,
Aye; for surely it is bnt ttee!Oldet
clothing, and within it hides the volt,
for. as little Red Riding Hood s.; princess
supposed grandmamma only wa ~ 70 Ia
verse things-'What delicate ba mSs' Y
these >" "anuS an
she net VINO necd held the lantern almost drona
Your bag, sir: no more parlevirr. i
also catch a glimpse of q obi,
softly fair for a beard to grow unon LIN n tN
In good time, sir, in good time"
the bold and prompt response; 'T a, va
deny my youth-Dut that is mended ,aS.
every DAY NOW, the bag at your uueEs
and tease not my patience longer n'N'AsN
tAh, the bag. Well you demand
sacrifice of me; may | beg a LITTLE os ssa
side? OF what nature is the docnm0vvtt
seek only to destroy? Who knows Wbst wv
sequences may accrue to me in this nv maui. Wa
OF breach of my most sacred duty 5s'H
She considered little "'
Are you acquainted with the lord n, a.
manor of Fairfield?" '"
Il am not"
"Yet your are his messepger-vOr -.
despatched from London with particnIo, on ss
private papers which must reach their S ss
tlnation ere noon Tomorrow. You see
am well informed"
1T appears so. But messenger &c -,
said awhile ago, is but servant. and NAV NAV
not be personally acquainted with him vS"g
he serves. l do not know the lord of M
manor of Fairfield"
Il want the packet directed to his stsv
ard, and which instructs the steward IN tsh
steps to foreclose mortgage upon cp
tain property. You see, none will be harmed
by the step l am taking"
Ah! l must not inquire further nh
your private business, and it is with siDcen
regret that l assure you upon the honor 4
a gentleman that l am not his lordshps
messenger, and carry no private bag Of dss
patches"
''You are deceiving me-and now you will
betray met she burst out in terrified
anxiety, forgetful of the disguise she had
used in her voice with considerable success
The lantern dangled from her hand, throw
ing up its light and displaying the slender
delicacy of the fingers and their SHAPED,
ness.
The others eyes scarce wandered from that
white hand, so oddly asserting with the blue
coat sleeves ample proportions Now be-
bowed with wellbred grace, saying:
Madam"
But he was promptly interrupted
You are in error, sir, with your Ma,
dam
BE it so for the moment then. May
beg that you will repose a little faith HI
me?"
The head wearing the cooked hat and The
riding-mask went upward in a-proud gesture
revealing more of the lower part Of The
face.
AT venture, may I guess your age o.
be eighteen 90 said the other.
"You are rude, sir"
''Truly, feared for the breach in ny
manners-a lady's age being so delicate a.
subject"
"a mans may be a private matter"
Hardly enough to draw squirt Of anger
from him.
well, as you will. But had you not
better proceed on your way and | tender
my apologies for the interruptOn%
L III dlEdLu IudL 10 lmpOooiDIS iVl VI"
moment"
why so?"
MAY / inquire what is your next move
ment?"
"oh," cried she, with fine air of noa
chalance, ''to lie In wait for my man, d
course! He will come ere long, for sure
I'll have the right one before I'm Done
Faint heart ne'er won fair lady
"Ah, there is lady in the caSe?
"There is"
And she blew out the light and pro- pro-
ceeded to refasten the lantern to the saa nas
''Then I am sure the matter is romaauS
She made no reply.
'You whet my curiosity" ,.,.,a
sit appears to have fine natural euSN
she retorted. ..,,s
He laughed musically, and she Miu"
with an involuntary gesture he was
well-bred man. ...,,rs
'Are you not Lord Fairfeld's nephew
she asked. :. a., H.
81 am not, assure you. Is ne 'nV '1.
das?" un "a,
"You speak better than you KNOW W"
the answer.