The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-04-04

| see, for me to hold my tongue, but
| | took no offence, for there was no
occasion. Sir" said I, Il am num-
do not overstay my welcome" and
too, lay back
For some time we proceeded in
| silence; but presently, the chaise
jogging more than usual. he sat up.
1T seems to me" said he, that
we are upon wild-goose chase. we
| shall not catch him in this wilder.
ness"
Oh" said |, "he cannot be so far
in advancement he with my nags,
I'll warrant"
He looked at me doubtfully in the
small light. very WE'LL" he said at
last, shortly, 1--WE will try little
longer" and he peered out upon the
night IL so be he might determine
where we were.
looked out also, and now we
were passing through Carshalton,
where ] had bid the doves assemble
for to meet me. But, d, my bust
ness was not yet done, and the coach
rolls creaking out of Carshalton and
on the road to EPSON. This seemed to
stir the old gentleman again to per
! pleXity, for again he directed look
out of the window, and then another
at me, | felt his gaze wander over
me from top to boot as If he meas
ured me.
you have fought abroad" says he
at last.
Not l." says and added to that,
There's too many that babble about
these foreign wars. Deliver us, good
| English war is better to my taste,
and better fighting too" says /.
"Ah!" says he, still coolly inspect
ing me. as if he cared not whether
saw him or not, then you will have
fought in his Majestys intestine
wars?" said he
What's that?' said /, turning on
| him.
mo doubt" said he, suavely, you
/ have fought, sir for his majesty,
King James. against the unfortunate
Duke OF Monmouth"
who gave you leave to suppose
had fought at all?" said |, sharply,
] being irked by his persistence. II am
no fighting man, but one of peace"
oh" says he, but took you for
a soldier and a captan-at-arms at
least. And indeed | believe you would
have furnished material for "a good
! soldier" lie surveyed me meditative
! ly, yes. III promise that; good mate
rial sir, sound fighting stock, and no
splitting st.aws or scruples."
D" said |, bluntly, what dye
mean?"
He sank back in his seat II meant
no offence" said he, but think as
tbs shrewd tonight | will cen turn
about for home"
Nay" said |, masterfully, you
must not do that since we are come
so far. Let MS finish the adventure,
sir, and not leave hold of it. 'Twould
never do. We will be catching of EN-
by the heels presently"
He pursed his lips together, as II
he whistled under his breath and
there was pause, while the noise
of the chaise drowned all sound about
]
nothing, and next | was aware OF q
CLINT of light upon steel, for the moon
as we rocked swayed in at the will
dow, and | guessed that he was
bringing his pistol from under his
cloak
pulled forth mine abruptly. Yes"
says |, =" It's as well TO be prepared,
sir. | am glad you are 80 forward We
may have fall-to when we en-
counter, but I'll warrant ye'Te as good
with your barker as with mine"
81 hope So" said he, without be-
traying any feeling. Il do earnestly
hope SO; even, sir, to be little bet
ter would be to my taste As you say,
we may come to an encounter soon,
ana tis as well 10 be prepared"
New the old buck puzzled me, and
! perpended. If he had any suspicion
that this was not a genuine pursuit,
and | was other than hi feigned
To be, why sat he there silent and
cool? But IL he had no scent of dan
ger what was the significance of his
words, which did smell to me OF the
ironic? IL angered me to be so baf-
fled by him and his quiet features;
but | did not well see what | might
do or say just then, and so kept
silence like himself And indeed twas
he broke it.
/ I'VE must be drawing nigh Ewell,
80 far as | may guess" he said.
Would you be good enough to tell
me what course you propose when
we reach Ewell? II | might without
impropriety make a humble sugges.
tion, would advise that we ate some
sNpper and lay there comfortably for
the night to resume this interesting
journey doubtless on the morrow, or
perhaps the next day"
| With that saw at once how Il was,
and ! gave vent to little laugh.
Why, you shall do as you please
sir said |. and that plan will serve
me admirably"
"Ah,' says he, locking at me, then
maybe there is something amiss with
1t. Suppose we come to an under.
standing. | think you are too young,
and am too old to want to die by
violence. We both have taste for
! life 4 faLa ~ NNhacn oto...a a. a