{"character_count": 4675, "word_count": 836, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9650999903678894], "ccnet_perplexity": [1526.300048828125], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
II
age not less than sixty years: and his
broad hat snuff colored coat, of,irnmense
projections, ,dImity small.clothe $, and white
waistcoat. with tarnished buttons, seem.
ed to belong to a generation past and
gone. "a His friend, Captain Grant wore
common livery dress.


Such wasthe elopfng party. The dis.
guises were assumed to facilitate their
escape; and SO far, each had acted his
part well! they had overcome, already.
a distance OF twenty miles, and dentertain.
ed strong hope ofreaching the border in
two hours travel. They were all in high
spirits; and Kate paced up and down the
room, her thumbs thurst in the arm. .holes
ofher vest, with an air of stateliness that
would have reflected honor upon the first
Brummel in the kingdom.


E Having hastily refreshed themselves.
the ladies were escorted to the Garage.
The innkeeper was officious in his atten.
tions; and his blue. eyed daughters ran to
the door TO take a last look at the sbonnie
young man. and to feast their eyes once
more upon the charming gill buttons of
Miss Darlington's waistcoat- Kate, beau
like, kissed her hand to the blushing dam.
sells as the Garage ratified from the door.
Captain Rodney and his friends remained
behind few minutes to adjust some de.
feet in "a saddlegirth, and before they
were ready to mount, horseman rode
Eup at aterrible speed. Rodney recog-
n:zed the face of Squire Darlington, from
/ a inn l. 7
Pirors.


My goodfriends, said the Squire, Il am
in pursuit ofmy daughter, who has ruu a.
away with Captain Somebody, ofthe army
They cannot be far ahead


.HaVe they passed by this road!' inquir-
ed the captain.


( sLikelyenougb; this is the straight road
to the Border. | have ridden like John
GilPin sincesix- o'clock this morning
ran away from three good. .for-nothing
fellows set out with me-and an resolv.
ed to keep on until l find the runaways.
g Possibly, my dear sir, we may be able
to render you some assistance observed
the Captain, as he and his friends vaulted
into their saddles.


Here is my hand. SIR exclaimed the
Squire Il have not the pleasure OF know.
ing yourrname, but L dare be sworn you
are gentlemen ua .f,a-g f-a.r,.4,
1T happens quite singularly,' subjoined
the captain, that myself am bound to
Scotland on matrimonial adventure
Indeed!e renqs 'Gern ez7Gs
f'4nd as oar road isEthe same as your,
we toay as well travel in company


Ihe three equestrains now gave the
spur TO their horses, and dashed up the
road. Rodney was-not entirely prepared
Tor the sudden visitation of Squire Darl.
lngton; but he was glad to hear that the
rest OF the pursuing party had been left
far hehind.l .Ee a'dl9 asr 1903 81


Whatturnthe adventure would now
take, he was unable to conjecture; but he
depended upon his military genus to con.
duct it to happy issue.


My good friend said the Squire sud-
IDENTIFY, what is that on the hill ahead of
US! II looks like Garage; but my eye
sight isIso short that | cannot make in
out. s7nv 7fHzaHl ised a8t Is aag = 81.


You are right, SIR replied Rodney, sit
is carriage '.se..s.-- -


Then let US push along with might
and mains; for on my soul, I believe it
contains the runawaysp9 s@a ea'"e hi.f
r''Fhe carriage, think, is mine, slr,
hut to ease your mind, we will ride up
and see what it eontains.' ,H .Tssa2t3 ]


Spur up, than all Of us! Let us see
whose nag has the lightest heels..' 40


The chase lasted nearly an hour.
When the horsemen came up with the
vehicle, Rodney made significant mo-
ton to the ladies, which they instantly
comprehended, and were relieved from a.
larm. The Squire booked into the car
riage, glanced at each of its inmates in
turn, but did not for a moment suspect
that the itfA flashing of a row of guilt
vest buttons, which at once caught his
eye, was caused by the palpitating bosom
of Of his, trembling daughter. T auy
It's q wrong scentl' ,muttered the
Squire, who was prone to quote fo1.hunt.
ing phrases: $50, ifyou please, we will
galloP on in hopes Of better luek.' ssFas


The Captain having passed few
words with the ladies as he. rode by the
side OF the Garage, Immediately obeyed
the Squire's request leaving Captain
Grant tc ride along with the vehicle. 9e


In Anotherg hour, the two oshorsemsnen.
tered the territory of Dumfries, and soon
after alighted at the inn of small village,
which was remarkable only as being the
site OF onesof the free temples of Hymen.
/ The fox has escapedp said the Squire,
as ne strobe IN the inn. Ineyere had. so
long chase. with such an unproftale
result.'a ed aHiiaU 1a1 vasz0,ao = 81
You have certainly performed great
journey said Rodney; D eTa l = SO
'Fhe runaways, continued the Squire,
are married by this time, dare be sworn.