The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-01-18


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 a corner of the
paper. then made heap ON the ground
and watched it iii silence disappear into
a little fattened pile of ashes. She con-
cealed the rest of the communications in
side the blue coat for more lelsurely 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 forking of the
road and their ways diverged
so here we part" said he. But warn
you l shall return. | have the handkerchief
to restore to you. which is now staunching
the little gap in my leg. May 1 beg for
the name of your homer?
to Hester"
"Ah! to Miss Hester Halyard? Is that
correct?"
Eyes. At the Priory. Melshburne."
He rode in at the Priory, on a day of
mellow October sunshine, and on the steps
there shortly appeared tall grlish figure
clad in a Powered silk gown and wearing
a plumed hat upon her head He dis
mounted and bowed. re-headed.
Miss Hester Halyard, | believer"
She bowed in affirmation. saying:
Il am warned of your coming
by our mutual friend, the highwayman?"
She smiled in acquiescence.
zone thing | am short of-your name"
"Ah we did not exchange cards on the
highway that night Robert Helstone, at
your service"
She colored slightly.
mot of Halsen Hall?"
Lord Halsen's nephew" he said.
She seemd confused for moment, but the
embarrassment passed in an instant. :.
IF you will leave your horse with
servant and walk with me in the garden a
few minutes before I introduce you to my
grandparents" she said, suggestively.
And when they were pacing the trim
oil eha oil u-;fh
Il want the venture of the road to be
kept secret. May l depend upon you?'
Certainly"
my grandparents must never know OF it.
At present they are congratulating them
selves that the blow they had been dread
ing has been mercifully averted somehow:
they think his lordship relented at the last
moment"
II understand"
There was little silence which he broke
by remembering the ostensible reason of his
errand. He drew forth the little handker-
chief, now dantlly Numbered.
T 1T rs your gou property yeg xnd the %Sand
She held out her hand to receive the
handkerchief.
OF it that remains. Might | keep it?"
Color ran to her face; but she smiled.
and the smile told tales. He bent quickly
towards her.
She looked on the ground. and to relieve
her embarrassment he said: Would 1t be
imprudent or impertinent to ask IL the mat
ter of the mortgage has quite blown over?"
Things remain as they were." she an
swered. "The point to be won by the theft
of the paper of instructions was to gain
time l await his lordship's return from
abroad"
He caught her hand suddenly. so that
she started and paused
Don't" he said. with quick fervor. II
want to ride forward again and save you
again." He claimed her eyes for long
moment. and as he gazed. he knew she did
MAY l ride forward to save you againg
Lord Halsen's heir can do it."
She drew long breadth. at is too
difficult; 1t is impossible"
NAY, it is neither; 1t is simplicity it.
self" He took her other hand. "0f course,
there is only one way"
After a long silence she looked up.
1T is too SOON"
But that night month ago we lived
ages of time and experience"
What il l give you the le?"
THAT is the impossible thing. Cupid
is blindfolded. you know; yet his arrows
always strike home, so what avail rid
ing-mask and the darkness?"
''But-it is too soon," she repeated, and
freed one hand and smoothed her cheek
refectively.
There are lovers who court through
years and yet do not have the opportunity
of knowing each other as we do. Twas a
poignant arama a., "9ere , az, the eSsen5 h ,r Of
vial had no place. do not know your
favorite flower yet, nor you what | most
prefer Tor DreaktaSt, out those are the only
matters we have to learn of each other:
the rest was vouchsafed us in heroic fash
ion-is 1t not so %
There were smiles In her eyes when she
raised them from a contemplation of her
sleeve.
"The leap is so far" she said.
But you have courage?'
mot overmuch at taking an unfair adj
"And think. there is no time to lose. Why
not have all things In readiness for meet
and Of
those demands may be. securing the peace
of mind of your grandparents permanently
And Robert Helstone's bride need not go
upon her knees to Lord Fairfield"
Her eyes were startled now, not with sur
prise, but at the tremor OF nervousness
thrilling her.