The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-01-23
A Modem Hi8hwayman.
BY CLAUDE AsKEW.


pretty head nodded in unconscious
imitation OF her mothers, but Clara
Stanhope sat erect and upright
thinking new thoughts. dreaming new
dreams.
Il shall meet him again." she
thought; "and then"
Her reverie was suddenly inter-
rupted.
The click of a revolver resounded
through the country lane, and the
forgotten cry of past century, "Your
money or your life," reused sleepy
James and the easy-going old coach
man to a state of cringing terror.
A highwayman seemed to have
started out of the hedge. The car
riage lamps revealed that he was tall
and thin; he wore Grape mask and
a riding cloak, and carried himself
/ with an assumed swagger.
"Hands up, my good men, or firel
Now, ladies, while I cover the SER
wants with my revolver, l am afraid
| must ask you to step out of the car
rlage, and hand me your jewelry. l
want all the valuables that you are
wearing, and as l mean business and
have no time to waste. must have
! the jewels before count ten, or"
! A horribly suggestive click of his
! revolver sent Lady Halcross flying out
of the carriage with an agility re-
markable in a stout and elderly chap
eron.
Take my diamonds, take them all,
you wicked. cowardly mani" she
sobbed, tearing off her cleaning, gilt
tering gems. "Only spare our lives
Give him your pearls, Janet, my
darling"
Poor Janet stood trembling by her
mothers side, but as Lady Halcross
spoke she put up her little shaking
hand, and offered her pretty trinkets
to the highwayman, who seemed to
take them against his will.
Il suppose you want my jewels,
too?" Clara Stanhope spoke. In i'm
perious tones, and faced the assailant
boldly. The two frightened women
had skunk back into the carriage and
we're covering together; the coach
man and footman on the box had
their arms up, leaving the horses to
chance and fate.
Il certainly do" was the stern,
short answer.
"Then take them, theft" AS the
girl spoke she leld out her wonderful
tiara and as the man seized the glow
ing green jewels she sprang at him
like a young tigress, and half tore
the Grape mask from his face.
Then a sharp cry broke from her.
II know you" she cried. "Oh, ]
know you!"
Before she could say more she was
struggling in the highwayman's
grasp, and his hand was over her
mouth.
Can l trust you to keep silent-if
l spare your emeralds?"
She nodded her head; and, as he
removed his hand, Il will keep silent
ON my honor" she whispered.
Very well, take the stones" He
handed her the jewels; then added,
half under his breath: I'm not rob-
bing for my own sake"
1t was doubtful If the girl heard
him, for she had sprung back into
the carriage.
The highwayman looked in, and as
he met the look in Clara Stanhope's
eyes, he realized what he had won
and lost.
Drive on. you pair of frightened
curs!' he cried to the coachman and
footman, and the carriage rumbled
swiftly away. Suddenly. above the
sobbing OF the women inside, he
heard cry. and the carriage window
was flung open.
Here. l don't want your brlbe;
take It,"
A flash of green shot through the
air. and Clara Stanhope's emeralds
fell on the path. The highwayman
left them there. People supposed
afterward he had dropped them in
his flight.
Lady Halcross never recovered her
diamonds, and the mysterious high
wayman was never discovered. The
detectives had many theories, and
were quite certain who the man was.
He had been wanted for some time,
and was notorious criminal, they
said. Clara Stanhope used to smile
when she heard them talking; but
her smile was a very sad one.
And, out in Texas, Roger Meredith
was learning to write his name on a
clean slate, the name of an honest
man, the memory of girls face ever
with him, and her indignant cry ring
ing In his ears. The words Clara
Stanhope spoke when she hurled her
emerald tiara through the carriage
window were branded upon his soul.
The life he lived was a hard one,
but at least clean one: he was
alone for days. but the wild life of
the ranch suited him, and the loneIl-
ness OF the young country appealed to
him. He liked to look at the stars
at night and remember that they
shone on the land of his BIRTH that
the same MONDAY sun poured its rays
on the old land and the new. He
felt that he was done with his home
forever; that he was exiied by his
own deed from intercourse with the
woman he still loved; but. all the
same. he intended to work out a
new life, for--well, perhaps for her