Free press., 1907-01-12

the moment there was no chance OF her most
pressing anxiety returning upon her. II the
paper were destroyed
They sorted the packets in the sealed
bag, and soon discovered the notice OF the
foreclosure. She tore it hastily across,
opened the lantern, and fred corner of the
paper, then made a heap on the grouno
and watched it in silence disappear into
little hattened pile of ashes. She con-
cealed the rest of the communications in
side the blue coat for more leisureIy de-
struction. and flung the bag into field.
She helped him to the saddle. and they
rode gently along side by side in the soft
darkness till there came a forking OF the
$50 he here VS we part. Sas said Eff6 he "But warn
to restore to you, which is now staunchlng
the little gap in my leg May 1 beg for
the name of your home ?''
Truth to tell, the handkerchief belongs
''Ah! to Miss Hester Halyard? Is that
yes. At the Priory. Melshburne-"
He rode in at the Priory on a day of
mellow October sunshine. and on the steps
1ad shorty d S o tan, aPd eaTine
a plumed hat upon her head; He dis
Miss Hester Halyard. 1 believer
She bowed in Affirmation, saying:
Il warned of your coming"
by our mutual friend, the highwayman?"
She smiled in acquieseence.
'.One thing 1 short of-your name"
''Ah! we did not exchange cards on the
highway that. night. Robert Helstone. at
your service"
Not of Halsen HalI?'
Lord Halsen's nephew he said.
She seemd confused for a moment, but the
embarrassment passed in an instant.
IF you will leave your horse with a
few minutes before I introduce you to my
grandparentsg" she said, suggestively.
walks. she said with bluntness
81 want the venture of the road to be
kept secret. May I depend upon you?"
My grandparents must never know of it.
selves that the blow they had been dread
ing has been mercifuIly averted somehow
they think his lordship relented at the last
Il understand"
There was a. little silence, which he broke
errand He drew forth the little handker-
chief, daintiIy laundered.
1T is your property, is it not ?"
Thank you, yes. And the wound?"
She held out her hand to receive the
'It is gone. and this is the only memory
Of it that remains Might | keep it?"
and the smile told tales. He bent quickly
towards her.
her embarrassment he said: would it be
ter of the mortgage has quite blown over?'
Things remain as they were," she an
of the paper of instructions was to gain
time. l await his lordship's return from
He caught her hand suddenly, so that
she started and paused.
Don't he said. with quick fervor. ''I
want to ride forward again and save you
again" He claimed her eyes for long
moment, and as he gazed, he knew she did
not misunderstood
May 7 ride forward to save you again?
Lord Halsen's heir can do it,"
She drew a long breadth. 'It is too
diftcult it is impossible"
Nay. it is neither; it is simplicity it
self" He took her othershand -''Of course.
there is only one way"
After a long silence she looked up.
is
But that night month ago we lived
ages of time and experience"
What if give you the lie?"
THAT is the impossible thing. Cupid
is blindfolded. you know; yet his arrows
always strike home. SO what await a rid
ing-mask and the darkness ?''
Butt is too soon,'' she repeated, and
freed one hand and smoothed her cheek
rehectively.
There are lovers who court through
years and yet do not have the opportunity
of knowing each other as we do Twas
each came to the forefront, where the tri-
vial had no place. do not know your
prefer for breakfast; but those are the only
matters we have to learn of each other:
the rest youchsafed us in heroic fash
ions it not so ?'
There were smiles in her eyes when she
raised them from contemplation of her
''The leap is so far" she said
But you have courage?"
vantage"
"And think, there is no time to lose why
not have all things in readiness for meet
ing every demand of his Iordship, whatever .
those demands may be, securing the peace
of mind of your grandparents permanently?
upon her knees to Lord Fairfield
Her eyes were startled now. not with sur
thrilling her.
''And you wish the affair of the highway
maid to remain wrapped in prOfOundest
secrecy-between you and me?"
She nodded