Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-22
GENTLEMAN
OR THIEF?
= Observation-Disclosures +. T. xT i
By Mrs. JENNIE DAVIS BURTON.

ought Sne 10 QO-lO aldTlu Tic HouSS
to expose him to capture and possible
punishment?
She shrunk from the thought, but
started from her place with the i'm
pulse to act, and made her way out
with a vague idea of confronting him
and in some way defeating his purpose
vet shielding him from the disgrace OF
exposure. Roselle was nowhere In
sight as she fitted to the shadowed
spot where Donna stood, with her bril-
die rein flung over a post, cropping at
the tender branches within her reach.
1t was but the work Of a moment to
release that slight fastening and lead
her out into the road, the next she had
mounted, and Donna, obedient to her
touch, was bounding away, for Nerves
brave resolution had given place to
the worst kind of cowardice.
1T is easier to run away than to
look him in the face and know he is
only a thief" thought she, bitterly
"Oh. Donna! I would almost as soon
have lost you as to believe this Of him. u
There was no time given Nerve to
think where she should go or what
would be the end of this crazy night
ride, for afterward she felt that she
was crazy to have ever undertaken It,
Two dark forms suddenly defined
themselves at a turn of the road. Two
men, who had been stretched under a
neighboring tree moment before and
started alert at the sound Of approach
ing hoofs, gave mutual exclamation
OF surprise and darted forward to close
at Donna's head.
Mighty kind and considerate Of you
to save us the trouble of going after
the pretty beast young lady," said
one. But you needn't go any further
on our account"
Nerve gave a frightened cry.
Come, no noise" more roughly from
the other. I'VE want your horse. Get
down and go back if you like, but don't
raise a row."
But Nerve clung fast and struggled
vainly to release Donna from the 9TH
ers grasp. Her puny resistance was
overcome in a moment; half-fainting,
she was lifted down.
I'D kiss you for your pluck, my dear
-Hark! what's that?" 1t was the
clatter Of hoofs Unexpectedly arising
for the second time on the quiet road.
Here, quick" to his confederate.
Get the horse behind them trees and
I'll quiet the girl"
Nerve was lifted and borne forward,
her face crushed down upon the ruff
fans shoulder until it was impossible
for her to uttertA Sound. The rider
came on at a sweeping gallop which
carried him rapidly past and then, as
the frightened girls heart almost stop
ped beating, Donna pricked her ears in
token of recognition and gave a pierre
ing neigh The horseman instantly
wheeled, and in a moment had cleared
the screen of trees. The fellow who
held her dropped Nerve half uncon-
scious upon the grass, and through the
short alteration which ensued, en-
phasized by two or three pistol shots,
she only realized that it was Mr. Ro-
selle who had appeared upon the scene,
and then he was bending over her,
holding Harvey Lisle's black morse by
the bit while neither Donna nor her
would-be captors were anywhere to be
seen.
you are not hurt, Miss Wilton?
Thank Heaven for that! 1t is all over,
but the scoundrels have escaped"
Nerve pushed back her hair from her
bewildered brow, then lost all other
feeling in one of indignant scorn.
stop, sir. If those men were not
your accomplices, you are still no bet
ter than they. Oh, don't trouble your
self to deny: saw you in the act, and
breaking down-'I tried to save Don
ma and you"
Donna is safe. She broke away at
the first shot, and they took flight in
the other direction. You will find her
at home. haven't a doubt. Now, will
you explain what you mean. Miss Will
ton?"
Il saw you!" reiterated Nerve.
You saw me perform a rather un-
warranted action" said Mr.. Roselle
with light breaking in upon him. 81
had reason to fear that an attempt
would be made upon your stable after
discovering that your man Wolfe had
been in the village drinking and talk
ing freely with suspicious looking char
acterS. l resolved to take the respon-
sibility of removing the horses to the
hotel stable where a guard is kept
rather than disturb you at that late
hour. l found the black horse cap
tiOus and hard to manage, and so led
Donna out first. When l returned to
find her gone and the gate standing
ajar, l had no thought but that she
had got away of herself, and was SIM
ply huIT'ying in pursuit. But 1 am to
understand that you spirited her away
and did me the compliment of taking
me for a thief Of the night"
1T was hard to believe" faltered
Nerve. not daring to meet his eyes
"Oh. Mr.. Roselle. how can 1 ask par
don enough"
He bent his head as he answered, and
It only remains to say that Nerve end
ed her adventure in the orthodox man.
ner being now Mrs. ROselle.
THE END.
Career of Big Jim Ended.