The Cairo bulletin., 1911-04-07
THE MASKED
H|GHWAYMAN
Sequel Of a Robbery on the
4 Kings Highway.


London to shop and were returning to
their home When daylight and night
We're mingling the coach was halted.
and a masked man, riding up 10 the
window with cooked pistol. looked
within TO discover the character OF the
occupants. Upon seeing the two la
dies his hat came Off and was swung
with grand sweep along his horses
flank. its plume almost touching the
road The hats removal, besides re-
vealing more perfectly the glossy hair
hanging in long curls over the wide
lace collar, left uncovered d scar run
ming diagonally across the mans fore
head.
Ladies'" he said. these are unfor-
tunnte times. The kings service has
given way to service on the road.
Nevertheless you have only to say.
Long live King Charlie. and YOU
will nor be expected to pay toll"
Long live King Charliew gasped
the elder woman
And what says your companionT
asked the highwhyman.
"She says the ga le." the mother
hastened to reply. ave are a royalIst
|, family" -
But the companion uttered never q
word. The robber. who evidently was
not in love with his profession. was
about to turn away when curiosity
prompted him to say:
Then let her speak"
Still the girl kept silence, drawing
farther back into her corner
IF you are Roundhead must ask
some contribution to the royalist
cause" said the highwayman.
Straightway the girl pulled n ring
from her finger and handed 1t to him.
At the moment wheels were heard com
ing down the road. and the highway.
man disappeared,
Two years passed. The younger of
the two ladies who had been robbed
was one morning handed letter.
which she opened and read
Written on the 10th Of April. 1913. at
Paris. In France. to Ruth Spencer at
Hartford In England q
Ruth, My Beloved-I have but few
minutes before the postfnan rides to say
that, my uncle being dead and my cousin
having been killed In brawl. the family
estates come to me. follow this very
soon 10 claim my property and the only
girl have ever loved. Your devoted
ROGER.
The girl had scarcely finished read
ing when the writer, a young cavalier,
entered, flushed with pleasure at see
ing her, and was about to advance to
take her in his arms when he was
stopped by the look with which she re-
garded him.
Ruth" he said reproachfully. have
/ waited all these years for nothing
ut is several gears since / have had
any account Of your doings. Roger
First assure me that you have not
lived as so many Of the young royalist
officers have lived since the wreck OF
Our hopes. am told that as many as
q hundred captains after Naseby took
to the road. 1t is true they treated the
kings adherents kindly. but levied on
all Roundheads. Others, | hear. have
spent the time no better employed
abroad Tell me, Roger, what have
you been doing these three years."
The young man hung his head.
Let us skip that wrctched period.
dear Ruth There Is much in them
that Is painful for me to remember"
NO I'M OH ph Ttf
the girls finger on which three years
before he had placed q circlet OF gold.
"Oh, Ruth. you have deserted me for
another You have accepted a pearl In
place OF my golden circlct"
"No, Roger, have not. Father gave
me the pearl What you gave you had
a right to take again"
II take again. You speak In rid
dies"
Listen. One evening two years ago,
lust before the November frosts, moth
err and | were journeylng home from
London In the day coach when one of
those royalists who had turned high
wayman rode up to the coach window
to rob us. He took Off his hat. and |
saw the scar left by the wound that
had myself bound UP after the battle"
The young man took a step back
ward, putting his hand to his forehead
convulsively to conceal the telltale
scar.
: n would not shout for King Charlie
under compulsion.Y continued the girl.
land as | had no choice but to do 80 or
give up the only thing Of value hap
pened to have with me took or my
ring and gave 1t to him. Doubtless be
has It now"
The young man covered his face
with his hands.
IF You would like to return 1t 10 me,
Roger. will accept 1t Of you" said the
girl kindly. you fought nobly for
your king and only yielded to the same
temptation as many others. ! am with
you In forgetting that dark period and
I'm hoping for restoration of our legit.
innate king"
II did not recognize the risg," moan
ed the man.
She went to him. took his hands
from before his face and said;
"Now that you are rich you may buy
xx,n N hat%n~ ppab j