The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1909-06-23
CHAPTER vIII.-continued.

CHAPTER vIll.-Continued.
This made me hope that Sir Peter
would not be present for l thought
our chances of getting off would ma
terially improve if he were not on the
spot.
The play was to be over at half-past
ten, and it may be imagined that we
had plenty to do until then. We en-
gagged four of the best pairs of nags
in the town. We arranged to pay the
postboys according to the time they
took us over the border, and we felt
in ourselves the. strength of Titans, to
overcome whatever resistance might
be offered. OF course we counted on
the surprise, and we determined that
the best disposition to make of Lady
Hawkshaw was for Giles Vernon to
appear suddenly, when the people
were coming out, place Lady Hawk
shaw in her coach, and then make
that bold dash for love and beauty
which we had determined upon. Our
postboys, who were not new to the
perils of elopements. grinned at the
prospect. and were instructed to re-
main near Lady Hawkshaw's coach
and impede it as much as possible, so
that it might be the last to reach the
door of the theater.
Our arrangements were complete by
eight o'clock, and from that hour until
ten We employed ourselves in dispos-
ing of good supper at the tavern. We
were in n gale of rapture then. 1t
seemed to us both as if we were in
that happy and exultant mood, when
no iS in bnt ha
ship is cleared for action; and we
only awaited the signal for victory.
We had some punch, but both Giles
and myself knew enough to be ex-
ceedingly careful in attacking It,
''Dicky. my lad" cried Giles. bang
ing me in the back, this day is the
anniversary of the day we whipped
the incompatible and the Xantippe,"
and SO it was. so we shall capture
the incompatible, in the Lady Arabella.
and we will disable the Xantippe-ha!
hahn my Lady Hawkshaw."
This I thought very fine joke In
deed, and we drank to 1t.
''Dicky." began Giles again. wiping
his mouth after the punch. Il never
thought / could be constant to any
woman, as l have been to Arabella.
BY heaven, the whole sex is so Sc
ductive that it was the last one l saw
/ loved the best. But since l knew
that witch of girl, St Anthony him
self could not be more impervious to
female charms than your humble serv
ant" which was true enough. And as
for Overton-that psalm-singing devil
Il defy him. Give me but week,
and he shall see Arabella hanging
upon me so fondly! Let him have her
100000; it's so much dirt and dross
to me. And she may be Lady Vernon
yet Do you know that old rapscallion
Sir Thomas Vernon's estate is in this
part of the country? Though nearer
York than Scarborough. On our re-
turn from our honeymoon l have a
great mind to take my Arabella to
Vernon Court and show her what may
one day be hers"
So he raved and roared out snatches
like
In Bacchus' joys I'll freely roll.
Deny no pleasure to my soul,
Let Bacchus' health round freely move;
For Bacchus is the friend of love
And he that will this toast deny,
Down among the dead men let him lie."
And / took up the chorus and
bawled it OUT, for I. too, looked for no
more crosses in this life, having Daph-
ne for my wife.
So the time passed until ten o'clock;
and at ten O'Clock We sailed forth.
1t was a starlit night in early De-
cember. The cold high blue heavens
above us seemed to radiate happiness;
the myriad stars twinkled with joy;
we scarce felt the ground under our
feet.
The two post-chaises awaited us on
the highway, the postboys full OF con-
fidence; the horses, the best in the
town, were eager to be off. We jumped
together in one, and were whirled into
the town. and were at the door of the
playhouse almost before we knew 1t.
One of our positions speedily found
the coach which had brought Lady
Hawkshaw there, and. in pursuance OF
his instructions, got the coachman of
his box to drink in neighboring
tavern, while one of our postboys
stood watch over the horses. Giles
and remained in the chaise until 1t
was time for us to make our descent.
At half-past ten the play was over,
and then began that hurry and COM
motion of the dispersion of crowd in
the darkness. We heard loud shouts
for Lady Hawkshaw's coach, but the
coachman did not make his appear
ance. There were many officers and
ladies from the garrison, and num-
Der of equipages; but soon they were
driving of, while half dozen men at
once were shouting for Lady Hawk
shaw's coach. At last my lady herself
came out of the entrance. followed by
Arabella and Daphne, and at that mo-
ment Giles slipped out Of the chaise,
and appeared before Lady Hawkshaw
as II he had risen from the earth. 1.