The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-03-21

he babbled on the road Of many things
cheerfully, but mostly of love and
the virtues of Miss Anne of bingham
Manor.
We reached hills beyond Ewhurst and
began to climb the rugged way to
the top. The wind had gone down
with the sun in furry of gold in
the west to which the eastern breeze
| had beat all day; and over the head
| CT Pitch Hill last years heather still
| blazed in its decay When We had
| got to the Windmill Lane that lies
packed into the side of the hill and
| woods there we descended for re-
freshments, and l saw the horses STALL
| ed below for batting. Now that house,
] little and quiet, perches in lonely
way in the pass of the hill, and upon
one side the ground falls so fast away
that the eye carries over precipitous
| descent towards the weald of Surry
and the dim hills by the sea. And
this view was fading swiftly in the
window under bleak sky as Masters
and ate of our dinner in the upstairs
room that looked upon it. He had
a natural grace of mind despite the
rawness of his behavior and his SEN
timents emerge sometimes in gush, as
when, says he, looking at the darken-
ing weald:
Il love it, captain. IT'S mine. My
home is there, God willing, Anne's,
too, shall be-"
Amen" said /, heartily, for the boy
had gone to my heart, absurd though
he was.
And Just on that there was a noise
without the door, the clank OF heavy
feet rang on the boards, and Timothy
Grubbe's ugly mask disfgured the
room.
He came forward a little with a
grin on his distorted features, and,
looking from one to the other of US,
said he:
MY respects, captain, and to this
young plover that no doubt you're
plucking. By the Lord, Dick Ryder.
but l had given you up! Heaven
sends us good fortune when we're
least thinking of it."
Masters at his word had started up.
who are you, sir, that intrudes on
two gentlemen" he demanded with
spirit. ''I'll have you know this is a
private room. Get you gone"
Softly, man." says Grubbe in an in
sinuating voice, but maybe I'm
wrong, and you're two of color. 1t
is an apprentice, Dick, this brave lad
that talks so bold and has such fine
feathers?'
IF you do not quit" said ! shortly.
Il will spit your beauty for you in
two ticks"
dick Ryder had always plenty
heart" said he, in his jeering way;
Dick had always famous wit, and
was known as hospitable host. So
will take the liberty to invite to
his sociable board some good fellows
that are below to make merry. We
shall prove an excellent company, I'll
warrant"
Masters took a step towards him.
"Now who the devil soever you may
be, you shall not use gentlemen So
he said. whipping out his blade.
But Grubbe turned on him satiri-
. cally.
"As for you, you cockchafer," said
he, 'it BODIES no good to find you In
his company. But as you seem sim
pleton enough I'll give you five min
utes to take your leave of this gentle.
man of the road. Dick, you're fine
tobyman, and you have enjoyed q
brave career, but your hour is struck. =
rose, but ere could get to him
young Masters had fallen on him.
Defend yourself, d-n YET" he said
you that insult gentleman that Is
my friend. Put up your blade, curse
you!" and he made at him with in
credible energy.
Uttering a curse, Grubbe thrust
with his point and took the first on
rush, swerving it aside; and ere
could intervene they were at it. My
, young friend was impetuous, and, as
/ saw at once, none too skillful, and
Grubbe kept his temper, as he al
ways did He stood with a thin ugly
!, smile, pushing aside the opponent:
: blade for a moment or two, until, O
sudden, he drew himself up and le
: drive very low and under the Others
| guard. The sword ratified from Mas
ter's hand and he went down on thu
floor 1 uttered an oath.
"By God, for this you shall die, vol
, swine" said l. fiercely, and l ran a
him, but being by the door he swep
it open with movement and backe'
into the passage.
1.-THE boot is on t'other leg, Dick,
says he maliciously. "'Tis you ar
doomed" and closing the door SHARP
: ly behind him, he whistled shrilly.
;, Isknew what he intended, and tina
his men were there, but stopped owe
the boy's body and held my finger