Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-09-03


Martin stood irresolute in the door
way. The horse that had borne the
injured man had been brought into
the courtyard, and hitched up at the
hall door Martin looked across the
quadrangle The moon was shining
into it. A yellow glimmer came from
the sick porter's window over the
great gate. The large gate was
arched, laden wagon might pass IN
Aer it. 1t was unproVided with doors.
sSArough it the moonlight could be
g9en on the paved ground in front OIL
ese old lodge.
A sound of households was audible
approaching slowly, uncertainty, on
the stony ground; but no wheels.
What can the boy have done with
our gig" asked Barbara.
Will you be quiet?' exclaimed Maj
tin angrily.
I protest-you are trembling she
said
May not a man SILVER when he Is
cold answered the man.
She saw him shrink back into the
shadow OF the entrance as something
appeared in the moonlight outside the
gatehouse, indistinctly seen, moving
strangely.
Again the horse neighed.
She saw a figure come o. haItingy
out of the light into the blackness Oh
the shadow of the gate, pass through,
and emerge into the moonlight Of the
court
Then both saw that the lame horse
that had been deserted on the moor
had followed, limping and slowly, as
it was in pain, after the other horse.
Barbara went at once to the poor
beast saying, I will put you in stall,
but in another moment she returned
with a bundle in her hand.
What have you there? asked Mar
pointing with his whip to what she
carried
/ found this strapped to the saddle.
Give it to me-
1t does not belong to you. 1t be-
longs to the other-to Jasper
Let me look through the bundle;
perhaps by that means We may dis
cover his name
i will examine it when you are
gone | will not detain you; ride on
tor the Doctor
1 insist on having that bundle said
Martin. Give it me, or l will strike
you He raised his whip.
Only a coward would strike a
woman. | will not give you the bun
die. 1t is not yours. AS you said,
this man Jasper is naught to you, nor
you to him
i will have it, he said with a curse,
and stopped from the saddle to
wrench it from her hands. Barbara
was too quick for him; she stepped
back into the doorway and slammed
the door upon him, and bolted it.
He uttered an ugly oath, then
turned and rode through the court |
yard. After all he said, what does
it matter? We were fools not to be |
rid of it before
AS ne passed out of the gatehouse,
he saw Eve in the moonlight, APP
preaching ti1nidly.
You must give me back my ring! |
she pleaded; you have no right to
keep it.
Must l, Beauty? Where is the
compulsion?'
Indeed, indeed, you must
Then l will-but not now; at some |
day in the future, when we meet
again
o give it me now! 1t belonged to
my mother, and she is dead
Come! What will you give me for
it? Another kiss?
Then from close by burst peal OIL
impish laughter, and the boy bounded
out of the shadow of yew tree into
the moonlight.
'HaIloo, Martin! always hanging
over a pretty face, detained by it when
you should be galloping. I've upset
the gig and broken it; give me my
place again on the crupper.
He ran, leaped, and in an install was
behind Martin. The horse bounded
away, and Eve heard the clatter or
the hoofs as it galloped up the lane
10 the moor.