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

As Lawford brought the team to a
standstill a head was thrust from the
coach window.
What has happened?" gasped the
woman.
my friends horse stumbled" an
swered the Squire. dismounting. "He
lies yonder. madame. wilt thou step
into the road, I'm case the horses
should not stand?"
lie helped the woman from TIE
coach and lifted a lamp from its
socket, and together they turned their
steps up the hill. lie would have
glanced at the woman at his side,
but the sight OF a huddled form be-
meath the hedge drove all else from
his mind.
Amid n mass Of dripping sedge.
face downward in the ditch, lay the
baronet, with one arm outstret,h he'd
and the other beneath him. Down on
his knees, lamp in hand, went Law
ford. Gently he raised the young
mans head. Blood was trickling
from a cut beneath the temple; very
! pale was the upturned face.
At that instant a cry broke rom
! the woman at his side.
The Squire turned, and as he did
so this lonely lady sank on her knees
on the wet grass beside him, sobbing.
"Oh, TOM"
Then It was that "Dick" Lawford
saw the face of her whom he had
aided. Very beautiful it was. with
every feature clearly defined In the
brilliant moonlight, but very SORROW
full.
my Lady Ewing!" gasped the
Squire. in surprise.
as he is he hurt, Mr.. Lawford?"
faltered she, clutch.ng at the mans
arm.
'Tis but n swoon, madam" an
swered the other reassuringly. "See.
his eyes are. .oponing!"
"The woman's arms were about
her husbands neck in moment, her
eyes were looking into his. THANK
Heaven" she murmured, as she
wiped the blood from the bruised
forehead. atom, dost thou see me?
am here"
A faint smile fckered on Ewing'g
face
"Thou here, sweetheart? Why.
this Is strange: but glad am TO see
zee. Molly! How long have ] been
lying here? Give me thy hand.
Dick"
Lawford raised the man In his
arms. Had It not been for one hant
upon his friends shoulder. the other
upon his wife's, he could scarcely
have kept his feet.
"How art thou now. Tom?" said
Lawford. "No bones broker, eh?
AS well as ever was" answered
the younger man, save that my head
is swimming. But, Molly. tell me-
ooh, Tom. come to the coach" in
terrupted his wife, with n tremor in
her voice. "and thou must rest by me
and will tell thee there"
She turned toward the coach. ard
Lawrord followed with Ewing in his
arms Lightly stepped the LADY
through the doorway and helped her
husband to the seat beside her.
"Canst thou take 'em TO Slretton,
Dick?" said the baronet. 'Tis at
most five miles"
"I'n take 'em, never fear; thou
art i'm thy wife's care, and | will an
swer for zee both. though what thy
cousin Rufford will say at our visit
know not" cried he, closing the
door
Softly laughed the Squire rs he
rode alone in the moonlight Softly
whispered Molly Ewing, with her arm
about her husbands neck. Aye, and
she was sobbing. too, though It was
many day since she had known such
| happiness.
"Oh, | was n fool, Tom" murmured
she. nor would she suffer the man at
her side to stay her, "but, oh, was
so lonely, and so unhappy, Tom. And
had it in my mind to go to my
brother Roger. so | set out just as |
was. | meant To pass the night with
the Ruffords, but though was at my
wits end at the time, how glad | am
that at Malham the postboys deserted
me, and that the SQUIRE knew his
voice-came to my aid And to think
that thou vast with him and not to
know II. And then, when l saw thee
in the ditch. oh, Tom"
Her words were choking her, but
at last her sobbing was hushed and
silent. though with hearts o'ernowing,
husband and wife sat hand In hand
in the swaying coach while Squire
Dick still smiled as he bowed his cace
to the cutting wind.
Richard Lawford tuGged at. the
bell OF Stretton Manor for close on
ten minutes. IL was Jasper Ruffori
himself who opened the door. gun in
hand. with a deerhound at his heels.
"Why, tits Molly, as I'm sinner,
cried he In amazement, land Tom
and Dick Lawford. A pretty hour 20
choose for visit, but right glad am
| | 10 see zee. But where have 'ee all
come from?"