Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-09
CHAPTER Xxx.
ANOTHER WHIP.

CIR RICHARD and the Parson
stood motionless, intent gaze
resting on the door, pistols
~ cooked and aimed. And, after
some while, was quick, light
tread Of feet and Black Nick appeared.
Plague ont, Nick, but we're late!"
ouoth Rob. whats kept YEP"
Nick shook his head gravely. "The
roads, Sir Richard, is all watched for
you-south to the coast and north
to Londoni"
"'Tis but to be expected" said Sir
Richard.
taking Of Respectfully Sir John Parret.
took a peep at him through the
judas-ah, and heerer 'em talk con-
sarning a cloak o. yourn."
"Ay, twas cloak as twas found along
o. your murdered cousin in the wood"
Sir Richard stared. "But I wore no
cloak"
"Hows'ever, twas found there sir-an
old military cloak tur1ed up WI scar
let"
"Why, I have such a cloak. Nick. I
left it lying in the rose-garden at
Weare. And what o. my ring?"
"Sir there was no mention OF it
Johns heered nought of any ring, nor
Sir Richard stared vaguely: pray,
what manner o. night Is it, Nick?"
Fair, your honour, and with moon.
Friend, ye're never venturing abroad?"
Sir" protested Nick. THE country
hereabouts is plaguey unhealthy for
you, just now. There be constables
coming from London. Titus Oldcraft
himself is with 'em and"
"Ha, Nick lad. dye say SOP" cried
Do in cy1o
joyful news-'tis in my mind that If
ever Titus goeth back to London-town
he'll go-feet foremost in box"
Sir Richard checked his horse and
whistled instantly from the shadow of
a great tree rode man. Sir Richard
spoke In joyous greeting:
"Ha, Gregory, old lad" and, leaping
from saddle, he hurried forward, then
halted suddenly.
Richard" said soft voice, and into
the moonlight rode my lady Helen;
refining up her mare beside him. she
leaned down, her handsome face SEEM
ing wonderfully gentle.
For a long moment he stood dumb
and motionless, then he bowed, and,
turning from her, seized Gregory's
ready hand.
"Well, Greg, and how wags the world?
Hast brought the money, Gregg"
Twelve guineas, sir; tits all /"
as heart, Greg, IL guineas is for
tune-in the wildernessl" he nodded,
"and so, good night to thee, old friend!"
LAY but-but," stammered Gregory,
will you not explain to us how :"
Nothing, Greg! Were We alone
! might say much: as 'tiS-fare thee
| WE'LL" And, bowling to my lady, Sir
Richard proceeded to mount and ride
away.
He had gone very little distance
when, to his surprise, he found my
| lady beside him. So they rode awhile,
neither speaking. At last Sir Richard
| pulled up. my lady did the same. and
Gregory joined them; then Sir Richard
| spoke:
"Ma'am, you were better indoors at
such hour. Be good enough to go
your ways and suffer me to go mine. u
! Whereat my lady shook her head and
sighed.
Sir Richard set his horse to a trot,
my lady cantered her mare beside him
and Gregory ambled behind. And,
after some while, Sir Richard stopped
"He means to affront me, Gregory"
sighed my lady. "Oh, It's an ill-con-
dition, q very dullard that knoweth
not his friends"
"Ha, madam, friends?" cried Sir
Richard. Here you behold friend
ships sorriest victim"
"Why wilt decry friendship, Rich
ard?" she murmured. leaning towards
him, wherefore he, very aware Of her
appealing beauty, scowled hard.
| "Ah, Richard" she murmured in
voice tender as cooling dove, why didst
ravish from me thy ring in manner
so ungentle?"
ooh, ma am," he answered harsh
ly, iii talk you must, speak plain;
what o. my ring?"
"You stole it from me In the lane
that fatal evening""
What said I? Smiled I or frowned
| I? How looked I?'
"You went masked and"
Masked! And yet you knew me?'