Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1908-01-24
A Modern Hi8hwaYnan.
-::.:-
By CLAUDE AsKEW.

was seldom a man did that. She
had actually danced four times with
Roger Meredith; IL was quite against
her strict code that now shh was sit
ting out with him In a daak corner.
II was the evening Of the Medford
ball; all the country was there--the
big fish and the small fry; It was
gay and animated scene; curious
glances were cast at Clara and her
partner, for she was the big catch of
the country. Little was known OF
Roger Meredith beyond the fact that
he was a handsome scapegrace. and
the Bishop of Radford's nephew.
"He is almost man / could care
for" laughed Clara Stanhope to her.
self; "and what is there to prevent
him liking met have youth, good
looks and money. and am tired of a
lonely life; he may be scamp-very
likely he is. but / can afford to marry
whom would, and l like this man
hugely"
Il am leaving this section to-mor-
row morning." Roger Meredith's
voice broke in suddenly on the girls
meditation; so tonight will mean
good-by for many years. am afraid.
1 am of to the far West"
"You are going abroad?"
aYes-for some time. Harkl they
are striking up waltz. Shall we
dance 1t together"
impossible. Lady Halcross. who
is chaperoning mel am staying
with her. you know-ordered the car
riage at $50 sharp. 1t is nearly that
now, and she hates to keep the horses
waiting. I am afraid l must go and
get my cloak. You will not be stop
ping with your uncle again before
you go aboard?"
@No: SO this IL good-by. have
barely known you for three weeks,
Miss Stanhope, yet can assure you
that you are the only woman have
ever regretted saying goodby to-"
His speech and manner were uncon-
ventional. but there was a ring of
truth in the voice.
Clara Stanhope caught her breath;
she realized that for the first time
in her life a man had touched her
heart. She found no pleasure in her
maiden freedom and almost mascu-
line Independence; she became frank
ly primitive and wholly natural.
CriTssoning even to her brow, she
asked. slowly:
"Why should we say Goodbye
"My friends call me bad card;
besides, I've fallen on evil ways. If
had met your earlier in my life
we'll. well, we are all pawns on Fate's
chessboard; so goodnight, Miss Stan
hope--and good-by."
"As you like, but remember If you
ever care to see me again. am TWEEN
ty-eight. and my own mistress.
She gathered up the fields of her
tulie bail gown and stood up, tai
and splendid specimen OF yQung wom
anhod. She was brown-hAced, will
deep eol3ring; she carried aerself SUI
perbly. and wore, as few women
could. magnificent tiara of emer-
alds-a famous Stanhope heirloom.
Roger Meredith caught her hands
impulsiveiy.
II you were only a beggar girl, I'd
take you abroad with me; out to a
new life in the West"
Il might not CO."
"Ahl but you would 60. He
dropped her hands, saying. as he
turned away. ITO each one his own
destiny. l have met you a year too
late"
Have your" She spoke in a clear,
low voice. then moved forward, and
in a few seconds was lost to sight.
Roger Meredith followed her with
his eyes till the crowd hid her from
his view. then he sighed shortly. and
turned irritably on a nervous-looking,
fair-haired man who was advancing
to meet him. and said:
81 thought you were never coming,
Harry. Is my horse ready?'
Yes; Jim is waiting with it in
the shrubbery; It's almost time to
start. Have you found out from the
girl what time the Halcross carriage
was ordered?"
Eyes. for 23O; and It wants four
minutes now
I'VE are in luck tonight, Roger.
Lady Halcross is wearing most Of her
diamonds. You will scoop an i'm
mense sum with the old lady's jewels.
to say nothing of Clara Stanhope's
Il cannot do it; l throw up the
job
What Showing the white feather
at this hour? Besides. there's no
risk, M dea- boy! Who would rec
ognize you in a Grape mask, or sus-
pect the bishops nephew? There's
not been knight of the road in
these quiet country lanes for the last
eighty years. 1t will wake the gooS
folk up-glve them something to talk
about"
Blame the good people; it's a
hateful job robbing women. l tell
you l won't do it. Harry"
You seem to have forgotten tina.
women have pretty we'll robbed you.
Also that unless you can square old
Levi within the next few weeks he
will come down smartly on that
young brother of yours. The young
ster was a deueed fool to forge your
fathers signature, of course; still, |
you took him to see Vera, knowing
her and her kind. +"
81 know did. Well, he shall have
the four thousand all right. and get
back the bill. Cheer up, Harry old |
man. I'm going to see the game |
through. Forget my momentary hes
itation to become a scoundrel. III
know it's impossible for me to raise
the money in any other way. so here
goes. And with a light, mocking |
laugh Roger Meredith turned on his
heel, and his friend whistled softly.
The moon had gone IN, and the |
dark countryside seemed almost de- |
serted; Lady Halcross' carriage ium-
bered safely along, her ladyship doz-
Ing happily, while her pretty debu-
tante daughter and Clara Stanhope |
kept up an animated. IL whispered |
After a while the |
younger girl ceased to prattle, her |