United States or Kyrgyzstan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


"Not I," replied the servant. "'T is for you to tell it, man, if 't is to be told." "Have done with such mingle-mangle talk," ordered Mr. Meredith, fretfully. "Is 't not enough to have French gibberish in the world, without " "Charles," interrupted Mrs. Meredith, "who gave thee this letter?" "Ask Miss Meredith," Fownes responded, again smiling. "It must be Mr. Evatt," said Janice.

The departure of the bond-servant, leaving the sting of innuendo behind him, had turned all eyes toward the traveller, and Bagby but voiced the curiosity of the roomful when he inquired, "What did Fownes call you spy for?" "Nay, man, he called me not that," denied the stranger, "unless he meant to call himself a deserter as well. Landlord, a bowl of swizzle for the company!

Further observation and thought would have checked his amused contempt, for certain conditions there were which made these men formidable. Angry as they became at Fownes, not one left the ranks, though presence was purely voluntary, and scarce one of them, ill armed though he might be, but was able to kill a squirrel or quail at thirty paces.

"Peg, bid him to come in. We'll have a look at " Mr. Meredith consulted the covenant enclosed and read, "Charles Fownes heigh?" A moment later, preceded by the maid, Fownes entered. He took a quick, almost furtive, survey of the room, then glanced in succession at each of those seated about the table, till his eyes rested on Janice.

"I wish mommy would let me go. She says 't is unbecoming in the gentility, but I don't see why being well born should be a reason for not having as good a time as " "As servants?" interrupted Fownes, hotly, as if her words stung him. "I'm afraid, Charles," reproved Janice, assuming again a severe manner, "that you have a very bad temper."

The bravest army can be stampeded by a surprise, and after having screwed up her spirit to the point of facing Fownes in his fortress, the stable, Miss Meredith's courage deserted her on almost stumbling over him a hundred yards nearer than she expected. So taken aback was she that all the glib explanation she had planned was forgotten, and she held out the miniature to him without a single word.

Hast been reading some romance on the sly?" "No, mommy," denied the girl. "Put thy thoughts to better uses, then," ordered the mother. "Think more of thy own sin and corruption and less of what is light and vain." It had been arranged that Thomas was to drive the sleigh, the squire preferring to leave Fownes in care of the remaining horses.

"Come and take it, then," he challenged savagely, moving a step forward, an action which for some reason impelled the squire to take a step backward. "Oh, dadda, don't," cried Janice, anxiously. "Charles, you would n't!" Fownes turned to her, with the threat gone from his face and attitude. "There's my devil's temper again, Miss Janice," said he, in explanation and apology.

"A deserter, heigh?" said the traveller, once more looking at the man, who was now exchanging with the peddler the three-shilling note for the razor. He waited till the trade had been consummated, and then suddenly said aloud, in a sharp, decisive way, "Attention! To the left dress! Fownes' body suddenly stiffened itself, his hands dropped to. his sides, and his head turned quickly to the left.

"'T is worse still to be a coward," cried Janice, contemptuously. "I fear, Charles, you are very mean-spirited." Fownes shrugged his shoulders. "As a servant should be," he muttered bitterly. "Even a servant can do what is right," answered the girl. "'T is not a question of right, 't is one of expediency," replied the bondsman.