

D. c.. WEDNESDAY, MARCH Ii, 1916.
{"newspaper_name": "The Columbian fountain.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
{"character_count": 2960, "word_count": 548, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9782999753952026], "ccnet_perplexity": [1529.0], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
L
Allan draws his sword upon them, he will
lose his hand;'' and looking round again,
he perceived that the harper was grasping
his sheathed weapon in rather a menancing
manner. FNgt9 atI
Dutton could not resist his inclination to
interfere, though promising himself all the
while to fight no duel for dancing girl J"


"Lend me thy cloak" he said to the
fiddler; g thou shalt have it again in mi
nute.n


"Take ii, noble sir, take t!'' said the man
Of musics and throwing it over his shoul-
ders, so as to conceal in part his rich ap-
parel. Dutton strode forward till he near
ly reached the spot where the officers and
their prisoner were slowly advancing, de-
termined to follow them into court and see
that justice was done. But at that moment,
burly master Rouse gave the poor girl ano-
ther violent pull Of the arm, and Dutton's
hot spirit could bear no more in silence.
"Hallo my men!" he cried, the hood
still covering his face, "you seem some
what rough with the lady. Draw not your
sword draw not your sword, young man :
no one has right to draw sword here
but the Lord Constable or the Steward Of
Chester. Treat the poor little girl gently,
oficers.n


aAnd who art thou that takest so much
upon thee 2" cried the fat man.
"Who, indeed ~ said Rouse in furious
tone " stand back, or will knock thy
head - and he raised his hand to suit the
action to the word. | a
The blood of Roger Dutton was up in
moment; and, with one blow Of his clench-
ed fist he struck his tall antagonist head
long backward among the crowd.
The people were all rushing upon him,
and he would have been torn to pieces in
a moment but Roger Dutton strobe across
him, waving them back, and exclaiming,
/" Stand off, my masters, stand off! ] will
serve the first man the same who touches
hair Of his head. Get up" he continued,
stirring the fallen officer with his foot,
6 get up, and march on--but touch not the
girl with your finger. She shall 60 on
with you quietly. Unhand her, thou tub
of butter Go quietly, fair lady, between
them Justice shall be done you. Allan
come hither - and he whispered word in
the young harper's ear.
That word seemed to allay the youths
fears; for he, too, instantly cried, eco
Marian, go-you will be safe"
In the meantime Master Rouse raised
himself, grumbling and muttering, from the
ground, and with face contorted by passion,
and bearing very significant marks of the
blow he had received


Ha, ha look at his eye !" said one of
the crowd.


"He always was a beauty"' shouted
another.


ellis nose will never get straight again !"
said third


Unless he gets such blow on t'other
side," replied fourth.


"Those are not everyday whacks :"
vociferated new voice; and under tor
rent Of such jests, Master Rouse and his
companion were lan TO take their way on,
promising themselves ample vengeance
when they got within the walls of the
court, upon him who had ventured to in
terrupt them in pursuit of their gentle
avocatIons.


ITO be continued.