Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-05-13


when heard the sound OF horses
steps. determined to attack what
appeared to be a horseman. Stopping
the way as soon as could discern the
dim outline of horse and rider. | cried:
Halt! Your money or your hfel''
"Aha. my ladyT responded a man.
$50 l meet you again. ! recognize you
for the highway woman who robbed
me of my ring. There be that In your
melodious voice, which bespeakB your
sex. have been hunting for that
voice ever since. and now l have
waited to hear no more, but, turn.
Ing. .galloped away as fast as my horse
would go. The man gave chase. At
nrst l put some distance between him
and me; but. coming TO bad piece of
road, fell away again. and he. urging
his horse. gained till he rode beside
me. He was about to grasp my rein
when l swerved on to the turf beside
the road. rode on dry ground. but
my pursuer. following me. struck a
bog. In which his horse houndered, so
that made my escape.
One day | rode by the home of my
fathers old friend. Sir John Seymour.
I was told that Sir John had held his
property, but how | know not. for he
was a stanch supporter OF the king.
Mayhap he whom regicides call the
lord protector hoped to win the knight
to his support and on this account
would not dispossess him. I was tired
OF my life as q highwayman and re-
solved to go to Sir John and ask him
to take me in till had communicated
with an aunt In Scotland. who had
some property and whom | hoped
eventually might take me In. would
stay with her till | could End some
more respectable way of gaining a
livelihood than cutting purses, To tell
the truth. | had given away every pen.
ny had taken. and my own means
that ! had brought from home had
now become SO exhausted that ! was
near the end of my rope Moreover.
the country being now settled, dreaded
lest bangle at the end Of another rope
placed about my neck by the sheriff.
SO | sold my horse and with the
money received for him bought me a
gown and other articles of woman's
apparel and one day betOok myself
to Sir John Seymours manor house.
He was in the garden as l entered and,
seeing me, came to meet me. When
he recognized me for his old friends
daughter he took me In his arms and
kissed me and then led me In to Lady
Seymour, who received me with tears
in her eyes.
made known my purpose in com.
ing to them, and Sir John swore that
l should never depart They begged
me to tell them all that had happened
since had been turned out of my
home. and. not being good liar. had
much trouble to account for the time
that had lapsed. l told them that
had been knitting purseo for living.
which satisfied them. and I was glad
of II, for they were fast driving me
into a corner.
Their only son. Herbert, they told
me. had been grievously wounded at
Naseby and had not until lately been
able to go about as other men. He
was now In London-they feared In
some conspiracy for the return of King
Charlie-but would be home In few
days. Herbert's portrait. painted when
he was boy of ten, hung in the hall.
and 1t recalled him to me when. as
little girl, had run races with him
in our own domain, for. as have said.
my tastes were those of boy rather
than a girl
When he returned and heard I was
In the house he came bunting for me
at once, finding me In the library,
where was pretending to read. but
in reality waiting for him.
"Ah, little Madge." he said cheerily.
what a woman you have grown to
bel l wonder If you can now beat
me In foot race or throw me as you
could when we were children"
'"That would no-. be betting to one
of my present years." ] replied
The moment spoke he stood. as It
were. wrapt In some memory.
your voice reminds me-" he said.
"of one have heard speak before.
Suffering from my wound, | was rid
ing In coach on the highway one
night when my valuables were de-
manded by one whose voice betrayed
her for woman. Having no money
with me, gave her sapphire ring.
Something In that voice has haunted
me ever since. A second time she de-
manded my purse. made II known
that recognized her, whereupon she
turned and ran. My horse 6oundered
In a bog, and lost her."
Every effort was needed to enable
me to retain my equanimity. l had
the ring had robbed him of on my
finger with the sapphire turned In
ward and was grasping II while be
spoke, with my fist. So tightly did
hold II that 1t cut the flesh. and yet
80 terror stricken was that felt no
pain. Alas, by this betrayed myself
what. hold you so tightY' he asked
his eyes fixed to my clinched ist.
My cheeks were flaming. my head
swan. He seized my fist and tried
to open It. held so tightly that II
was a long while before he succeeded
Then when I could struggle no longer
he pulled my hand open and saw his
sapphire.
81 have caught you at last, my rob
berr' he exclaimed. catching me In his
arms and covering my face with kisses.
"And now the tables are turned. II Is
I who rob you of kisses. every kiss be.
ing worth to me more than the ring
rn,x kaH