The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-01-07

Sllt0l mlII0s
Fore Godl" he cried, "dost think
I'd be on the Newbury road tonight
II she didf"
"You say" quoth I, picking up the
thread Of his story, that the one she
loves is outlawed?"
A surly nod was his answer.
| Then why fear him?'
Because" he cried, and, twas as
though he but mouthed the words to
add firmness to my determination,
4. because she is now on her way to
meet him with pardon from the
king"
Swearing as Justify as might any
highwayman, / took my place beside
them, and as the coach, It's two great
lamps throwing white light on the
six straining horses and the tall trees
at the wayside, came almost upon us,
we three stepped out into the road,
and with all the strength of our lungs
bawled out that cry so oft heard on
the kings highway:
"Stand and deliver"
A dozen sleepy, frightened faces
| peeped out at us as the coach stopped
short, but we waved them back with
our pistols. Close at hand was the
climax of this game OF cross-purposes,
and the blood ran dizzily in my veins
and my fingers closed eagerly round
the barrels of my weapons as fair
Romeo stepped out from us and ad-
vanced to the coach, made profound
| bow to the row of scared faces that
| once more lined the Winds
Faith, gentlemen" quoth he, "'tis
| a lady rather than your purses l am
after, and IL Mistress Cavandish--"
| l heard no more. AS write these
lines wonder / did not shatter the
stiffness of the night with some wild
cry, but, albeit burning with rage.
with the utmost precision 1 turned,
and with my pistol-butt dropped the
| speechless one, as his lips opened to
| give some cultural cry of alarm, and
instead, gave out but a feeble groan.
Two flashes of fire stabbed the air,
two DULLES clipped past me, and I
stood unharmed. For a moment he
stood staring at me, and then, with
out more ado, as though 'twere but
mere incident, he cast his pistols from
him and drew his sword. Likewise did
l, and in a moment we were at it.
Every nerve of my body tingled into
new life as gazed into his unmasled
face, and as felt the antagonistic
bending and giving of his blade, a
thrill of Joy ran through me. For the
hand that controlled that slip of steel
belonged to none other than my new
ly come friend, Sir John Myles,
White with anger did grow in the
first few minutes of that mellay, and
in my eagerness to reach him, all
thought of skill left me, until of
sudden, his sword point ripped along
my side, to chill every nerve as the
cold steel touched my body.
Thereafter was more careful, and
soon he was on the defensive. The
look of derision died from his face as
/ followed him back and forth across
the road, ever thrusting and hacking,
and his eyes grew round in fear, as.
bit by bit, his defense was beaten
down. Wilder and wilder grew his
parties, until, lifting his arm in la
carte, he fumbled his blade, and the
next instant l had three quarters of
my own bilbo through him. For
moment he lurched stupidity on his
feet before me, and then, with sigh
and cough, he pitched forward on
his face.
Straight to the coach strode, and
opening the door stepped within.
Mistress Cavandish-Lucy," I
whispered.
"You want me, sir?"
II want you,' l cried passionately,
and my hand went up to tear away
the mask, faye, Mistress Cayandish,
tits you alone l want
Slowly there came to her face a
look of dumb surprise.
"Tom," she whispered eagerly, "'tis
you, Tom?" Then as l nodded, she
swayed little on her feet, and ere
knew what / was doing had placed
my arm around her, and together, we
sank into the seat.
She was woman, and perforee first
must she weep. For matter of some
minutes left her to her passions and
then, taking her hands from her face,
! told her my story.
For awhile after l was finished she
sat silent, staring straight before her.
Then:
Twice." said she softly, have you
risked your life for me. And now
'Now?" took her hands in mine,
and gazed full at the slender, wistful
face she turned to me, Nov, sweet
mistress, offer it to you forever
"'Tis long time, Tom"
''Were 1t twice as long, 'twould
never tire in your service. Come" l
pleaded, "can not 1 have a little of
your lover"
NAY, Tom, because"
mot Iittle?"
May"
started to move from her, and then
did the smile ON her lips become an
open laugh.
'FWhy, Tom," she cried, "fis be-
cause you have it all.''-William Heo-
Tiger,