The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-06
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 Iris but justice. assented Loru Everingham, "and yours the first prize, Marquis. Fair onel" he said. looking down into MArRaret's shyiy terrified eyes. wilt pav toll to me the whileT
 "Gentlemen" proudly protested Lady Ursula. ''and there's any honor In
 Nav, honor lies in snatching a kiss from those sweet slips" rejoined Don Miguel. with a graceful flourish Of his plumed hat.
 This act Of eallantry. however, ai- most cost him the price of his victory. Ursula Giynde. born and bred In the country. was the daughter of sturdy Cornish nobleman, Accustomed to ride untamed foals. to have bouts at the broadsword or the poniard with the best man in the country. she would not yield kiss or own herself vaffduished quite IS readily as the Spaniard seemed to expect.
 / With vigorous jerk of the body, she had once more freed herself from the Marquiss grasp. and running up to Margaret she snatched her by the hand and dragged her away from Lord Eversngham, readiustine her hood and mask as she flew towards the booth. vaguely hoping for shelter behind the folds of the tent.
 But once more Fate interposed rec lentlessly betwixt her and her at- ing the episode. eager to have q hand in the adventure. friends no doubt, too. of Don Miguel and Everingharn, laugh ingly barred the way to the steps, just as the two girls had contrived to reach them. With cry of disappointment, Ursula, still dragging Margaret after her, tried to double back. But 1t was f0Ao Lord EtVAY- ingham were waiting for them on the other side. They were two to one now and all chances Of escape had hope lessly vanished,
 Never had Ursula Glynde felt so mortified In her life.
 Many thanks. gentlemen, for this timely interference" came in mocking 'the ransom, sweet one" he added, as the chase 'twixt Rallants and maids be- came more general and the girls at last felt themselves quite helpless and surrounded.
 Ursula's pride alone prevented her from bursting into tears.
 By my faith! here Is strange sportF' said a pleasant. slightly mocking voice suddenly. What say you. Harry Plan tagenet? A lively sight what? ladies'"
 Instlnctively everyone had turned in the direction whence the voice had come. A man was standing some dozen yards away. with mantle tightly drawn round him. his tall figure stepping to pat and fondle a powerful-looktng boar-hound, which chung closely to his side.
 He had spoken very quietly. appa- rently to the dog. whose great ears he was gently stroking.
 Without taking any further heed of the somewhat discounted gentlemen, he came forward towards the little Rroun.
 Ladies. your way stands clear'' he said, with that same pleasant irony still apparent in his voice, and with out casting more than cursory glance at the close hoods and dark masks which was all that he could see of the ladies, whom he had so incontinently saved from an unpleasant position
 Sir" murmured Ursula. under her breath. and without. attempting to move for she felt as if her knees would give way under her.
 May Madam" rejoinedi the new conner lightly. "if my interference has angered you pray you forgive me and I'll withdraw. as these gentlemen here obviously desire me to do. But an YOU really wish to eacape, my friend
  unmolested. Eh, Harry? what say you?" he added. once more turning his attention to the dog.
 The boar-hound. as if conscious of this appeal to his chivalry, turned knowing eye on the two girls.
 The four men had been taken so ab- solutely unawares that during the few seconds while this brief colloquy took place they had scarcely realized that an interfering and unknown stranger was trying to hamper them in their amusements.
 They had remained quite speechless, more astonished at the newcomers im- pertinence than wrathful at the inter- ruption; and when the next instant Ur- sula and Margaret suddenly lied with unaffected precipitancy, no one attempt cd to stop them.
 Harry Plantagenet's intelligent eyes followed the retreating figures until they were out of sight. Then he yawn- ed with obtrusive incivility. and plainly showed his master that the present company no longer interested him.
 well Harry, old man. shall we goF" said the stranger, calmly turning on his heel.
 But at this final piece of cool inso- Ience. Don Miguel de Suarez at last recovered from his astonishment. This tame ending to an unwarrantaple .n- trusion was certainly not to his liking, and he, for one was unaccustomed to see his whims or caprices tnwarted
 In these days tempers ran rtgh. hot blood was allowed free rein, and at a word or a smile out of place, swords and polnards were soon out Of their sheaths and friendships of yesterday