Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 127, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1911 — HAL O' THE HICHWAY [ARTICLE]

HAL O' THE HICHWAY

By George Bronson-Howard.

Copyright, The Frank a Munsey Co. CHAPTER I—Continued.1 —Continued. ’ "Now, Alice dear," she said, “mother is angry. And I am a saucy baggage. Why am I a saucy baggage, Alice?" . ~, .. . Alice tittered foollshl)). “Oh, Anne I" she eaid. “You're thinking of the highwayman, you little minx,” Anne said keenly. “Oh, I know you—faith, 1 know you better than any one, Alice. You’d run off with him if you could—” Anne got up and looked out of the window, then caught her friend’s hand.

"Look, dear!” said she. “Here comes a man—to see me. It’s little Pulvey* Pulvey Littleton! Isn’t he brave in fine feathers this morning!" "Mayhap he will wish to be our escort to Annapolis," suggested Alice. “Wbft—Pulvey? A fine escort he! Nay, Alice, he’ll need an escort for himself, will Pulvey. And I would not have him damaged, for he is a nice boy. He might resist the highwayman—" Anne faced the open door, and the negro slave in livery, who had just entered.

“Marse Littleton, Mlssie Anne,” said Augustus' Caesar with a profound genuflection. "He done say he want to see ydh, Missle Anne.” • Anne nodded carelessly. “Now. Alice," said she as the namesake of the Roman emperor withdrew, "you’ll be by way of packing such things of yours and mine as are still lying about, while I talk to Master Pulvey. Remember, dear, at eleven by the clock we leave Annapolis. So make ready, dear.” She left Alice to contemplation, and passed into the long, high hall with its carved pillars and polished floor, passed the spindle staircase and the huge hall fire, and went within Ihe guests’ chamber, where Mr. Pulvey Littleton, divested of his great-coat, stretched a pair of nicely rounded, silk-stockinged legs before a generous blaze on tbe hearth. Anne greeted him with a semblance of indifference, and the well featured youth bent over her delicate fingers until they met his lips. "Anne, my own Anne!” said Mr. Pulvey Littleton. "Heigh-ho. what have we here?" de rnanded Miss Arundel in her most complex tone of breeding. “Tbe man calls some one his own. In faith., who may that be, Mr. Littleton?" The young lady brushed back some of the curling ringlets and sat down before the fire. Mr. Littleton remained standing. He was a goodlooking youth of some twenty-twe years, dressed exquisitely, and rather frail in appearance. “It is you, Anne—you and no other!” declared Mr. Littleton. “As you know, for I have told you many times. You are going to Annapolis today, and before you go—tell me Anne— ’’

Anne contemplated a small buckled shoe and a very pretty ankle. So did Mr. Littleton. Anne withdrew the vision within a mass of ruffles and looked ut Mr. Littleton. ‘‘l will tell you not to ask questions Pulvey,” said she with some semblance of tenderness. “And also I will tell you to go. I have much to do and little time in which to do it You go to the State ball on St. Valentino’s DayT “I had not so intended—” hesitated Pulvey Littleton. Anne pouted. “1 will speak with you then,” said Mistress Anne Arundel. “If not then, no other time. If you be not at the ball, ask me no more questions thereafter. Perhaps you fear highwaymen?” Mr. Littleton indignantly denied the implication. “Come, now, Pulvey!” said the provoking witch. “Confess!” “I shall be at the State ball.” said Mr, Littleton, “and then—then— Anne —” “Then you will dance with me,” supplied Anne. “It Is tomorrov night as you know. Then I will see you—now you will go—" She held out her hand. Pulvey took it tenderly. “Tom Heyward!” he said hesitatingly. “Is he —" Anne released her hand.

“Mr, Heyward has been forbidden to speak to me!" she said icily. “I do not know Ur. Heyward these days. There are too many men with gentle breeding to heed a boor." “He knows you go to Annapolis," continued Pulvey, “and this morning he said he would see you before-you set forth—” Anne frowned. “Said he so indeed!” she commented. “Ah, indeed! So says Mr. Heyward."

She walked with Pulvey to the hall and the negro footman opened the front door.

“Mr. Heyward is mistaken," said Misstress Anne. “Goodby, Pulvey!" She drew back and pig. her hands behind her. “Remember, if you are not at the State ball, seek me not at all after that. I shall ’be masked, but my dress will be pink, and I shall wear in my hair a pink rose. Until then, Pulvey—” “I will be there," said Pulvey, and thought better of an affectionate fare - well in view of the onlooking footman. He went out, and Anne stood for a moment as though meditating. “Augustus Caeßar!" she said. The footman straightened up. 1 “Yes, missie?” “You know Mr. Heyward—Mr. Thomas Heyward?’’ Augustus Caesar grinned. “Yassum, yass, missie, I know Marse Tom. You know how many times Marse Tom come heah. 'Taint likely I’se forgettin’ Marse Tom, missie.” “Mr. Tom Heyward is not to see me ever again,’’ said Anne serenely. “If ha comes, you are to tell him I am not in the house. If he —" The knocker clanged, vigorously. Rap, rap, rappety rap, rap! The negro again showed his expansive smile. “Lordy, missie, dat’a Marse Tom's knock now. I knows—”

“Don’t forget,” said Anne imperiously, and stepped within the guests’ room, from which she presently heard the conversation that followed. “How do, Marse Tom? No, seh, Missie Anne, she ain’t in, no, seh.” “Don’t lie to me, you black rascal, I know she is here.” No, seh, Marse Tom, no, seh.” “Well, I’m coming in and wait.” “ ’Taint no use, Marse Tom.” “You infernal black imp! What do you mean? Odsounds! for a halfpenny I’d thrash you.” “No, seh, Marse Tom, doan’ do that, seh."

“Well, you find Miss Anne, then.” “No, seh, she done said—” “Oh, she told you to tell me that she was not in! So that’s the game, eh ” “Yes, seh.” What followed was not fit language for Mistress Anne to hear, and she discreetly put her palms to her ears. Presently the door clanged and some one ascended to the garden and street Later a horse galloped aw«y. “Dear me!” mused Mistress Anne, smiling, as she passed into the hall again and up the stairs. “Mr. Heyward is learning a lesson. He will not call me coquette again, will master Tom. Nor will he seek kisses which are not for him.” Mistress Anne sought her way to her mother’s rooms and assisted Alice to finish the packing of various bags and .boxes. For they must have a brave showing at Annapolis amid all the finery to be seen at the State ball. And in less than two hours they would be on the road. The night after next shone out In the future, the Ball of True Lovers, under 'OO patronage of that good Saint Va!t&tine of blessed memory. “Perhaps I shall find my heart there!” sighed Mistress Anne. She was not thinking of Pulvey hittletoa. Nor of any one whom ahe knew, he tell the truth. (To be continued.)