all black moustache.

As soon as Esther had received his invitation she ran up stairs, got her
hat and sack, ran down again, jumped into the carriage, which was a
buggy with room for two only, and off they drove. Jane came out to the
front door and called after them, just as they were driving away: "You
had better put the top up Bob, for it will certainly rain before long."

Dan, who had been sitting in the dining room in one of the easy chairs,
remarked to Jane as he was going up stairs: "What a pity Bob McNeal is
such a wild fellow. I'm afraid he will never amount to much. He is a
remarkably fine workman too; he has improved in his work since I took
him into the factory with me. Oh well, I suppose it's all right; good
night Jane."

"Good night Dan," said Jane.

"I hope your rheumatism will be better in the morning."

"So do I," replied Dan. And up he went to bed, Jane returning to the
parlor to wait for her beau.

Bob and Esther drove through Amherst, and turned down the road leading
to the Marsh. They were going to take a ride into the country. Bob said
that was the best road to take, and Esther did not care much which way
they went, so she got a ride.

While driving through a small wood, Bob seemed to be suddenly seized
with an attack of what lawyers are pleased to term emotional insanity,
for he dropped the reins and leaped from the buggy. Upon reaching the
ground, he drew from the side pocket of his coat a large revolver, and,
pointing it at Esther, told her, in a loud voice, to get out of the
buggy or he would kill her where she sat. She, of course, refused to do
as he requested or rather commanded, and, as it was raining and becoming
quite dark, she told him to get into the buggy and drive her home, and
not act like a crazy man. The remark about acting like a crazy man
seemed to enrage him past endurance, for he uttered several terrible
oaths, and, aiming the revolver at her heart, was about to fire, when
the sound of wheels were heard rumbling in the distance. He immediately
jumped into the buggy, seized the reins, and drove at a breakneck pace
through the pouring rain to Dan's cottage. Esther was wet through by the
time they had arrived at the gate. She jumped out, opened the gate,
entered the cottage and ran up stairs without noticing Jane, whom she
passed in the hall. Bob, as soon as she got out, drove rapidly down the
street.

As the hour was now ten o'clock, Esther immediately retired and, after