The Soldier's Wife — page 77: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

» a ride on the tcp of a stage-coach so far as the ' geoachman would take him for that amount. “ This morning at nine o’clock,” he continued, “on alighting from the coach, I still found myself many, many miles from Coventry, with- out a penny in my pocket—almost starving with hunger—and racked by the terrible ap- prehension that it would be impossible for me to reach my destination in time to save you. At that hour, as I was approaching a village— dragging myself painfully along—my ears sud- denly caught the sounds of wheels and horses’ hoofs dashing along the road with a celerity that at once convinced me something was amiss, Then I heard the screams of female voices ; and almost immediately afterwards an open chaise, containing a gentleman and two ladies, and drawn by two high-spirited horses, came rush- ing along behind me. At a glance I perceived that the horses were running away; the gen- tleman had dropped the reins, and the vehicle was swaying from side to side in a manner|Lonsdale. THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. thers fix their abode for a few weeks, while the banns of marriage were put up in the | church; then, after their union, that they should repair to some other place, where undee a feigned name they might settle down in the hope that he would effectually baffle any search that might be instituted after him as a desert+ er, and where by his honest industry a liveli- hood might be abinlana Lucy coincided with her lover’s views. What objection had she te offer? Ile spoke of their immediate marria with so much delicacy and tenderness, that loved him more devotedly if possible than ever; and with blushes on her cheeks, but happiness in her eyes, she signified her assent. When their little plans were settled, they examined their stock of money, and found that they had exactly sixteen pounds in their pos- session ;——namely, the ten which Lucey had 60 fortunately brought with her, and six remaining out of the suin presented by the gentleman to It was not much to begin the world which threatened it with an immediate upset. |} with, particularly as all their personal proper- Besides which, there were several heaps of|ty in,respect to wearing apparel consiste of stones along the side of the road; and the/|the things they had on them at the time; but chaise was whirled by the maddened horses over them one after another in rapid succession. I sprang forward—caught the rein—and _al- though dragged along for upwards of a minute, I must contess, Lucy, to the imminent danger of my life—I Sede in stopping the animals, The thanks which I received from the gentle- man and two ladies, were of the most fervid kind: indeed I had saved their lives. The gentleman made me a present of ten guineas; end bidding me farewell, pursued his way. You may conceive the joy which I ed ! Did it not look as if heaven itself had thrown they were determined upon practising all re- quisite frugality and economy—and they had hope in their hearts, as well as an abundance of love; and therefore they considered their prospects to be sufficiently cheering, Having rested and conversed for nearly an hour in the grove, they continued their wa across the fields,—not exactly knowing in whieh direction they were proceeding, but resolved to wander on until they reached some main road, where they meant to take the first publie conveyance bound for any place sufficiently distant to answer their purposes. In another me in the way of this adventure, that I might/hour their design was so far carried out that obtain the means of prosecuting my journey ? And, Oh! it was an unspeakable relief to be they found themselves seated together on the outside of a coach proceeding to York; and as able to put off my uniform, and purchase a/the vehicle sped farther and farther on, their suit of plain clothes. It appeared to me as if|spirits rose in proportion to the distance which there were safety and security in the change;/was thus increasing between themselves and and I seléeted a suit of this kind—the better to|the midland counties. distuise myself—for no one would think of) On arriving at York, they immediately hired looking fora deserter in sucha garb. I walked|two distinct lodgings, and at once took the on with hope in my heart; and presently I|requisite steps for having the banns of marriage obtained a ride in a tradesman’s cart that was|put up in the parish where they had thus taken proceeding for several miles in the same direc-|up their quarters. In a few days any latent tion as myself. Then there was another long |misgiving which Lucy might have experienced walk—and then a coach overtaking me, con-|/in respect to her father, was completely dissi- veyed me into Coventry; and I alighted in the|pated by the appearance of the following ad- very street where a few moments afterwards, to}vertisement in a London newspaper, which my surprise and joy, I happily encountered|happened to meet Frederick’s eye, and which you.” he lost no time in showing to his well-beloved :— Having given mutual explanations, the lovers lost no time in discussing the plans which were “L. D. of Oakleigh,— You are earnestly en- naturally suggested by the circumstances of|treated to return home to their position. Lonsdale entertained not the slightest idea of returning to his regiment. He had suffered too much, even apart from other considerations, to return voluntarily to that earthly pandemonium whence he had escaped. Besides, he knew fll well, although he breathed not a hint thereof to Lucy, that if he did return, it would be with the certainty of undergoing the frightful lacerations of the cat-o-nine-tails. His idea was that they should repair with the least possible delay to some remote place, andjhad compelled her te four father, who is distracted at your flight. fe faithfully prom- ises that his intentions on a certain matter shall not be persevered in, All is ended and broken off in that respect.” Lucy’s mind was now completely set at rest with regard to her father’s safety: but not for a moment did she entertain the thought of complying with the above requisition. Much as she deplored the penis necessity whi y from the paternaleom Gomilcboo <s) Cc