Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-29
rowAND BRADFORD COUNTY, R BY

think Think-think of what ? A horrible
crime, secret prison-houte not twenty miles
from London. the work that must be done to.
morrow all these things seemed crowded to.
gether wildly in my brain. By degrees grew
calmer. l must release her, but how? Many
ways flashed across me, aud were cast aside
again so I sat motionless, gazing into the
sky my ear strained for every cry, uutil the
first faint streak Of dawn came into the east
No sound had broken the dead silence of the
house, aud now at last my plan was made, and
might be tried
| dressed quietly, then waited for a while,
and as the red rim of the rising SUI showed
through the trees, tramped noisily down stairs
/ meant that they should hear and see me,
but no one appeared so crossing to the kitch
en- | looked in. The old man was there cut
ting up wood he did not hear my step till l
was close upou him, then turned sharply round.
You rise early" be said, in his old surly tone
With all the blood in my veins cugdIing at
the sight of that wicked, murderous face, /
forced my lips to speak naturally "Wby,
yes" | said "l want to see something Of the
grounds before | break !ast. Can you tell me
the best way to take p
Il know nonght about it," he answered ;
there is nothing worth seeing anywhere
about here"
"Where does the garden lie ?" I asked
The instant had spoken l felt that my ques,
tion, meant to divert suspicion, had been a
rash one, He looked up, new expression in
his eyes-was it fear or doubt ?
There is no garden now," he said hastily
it's wilderness and breakfast will be rea-
dy directly, if oaly that old idiot and he
shouted his wifes name" was here, as she
should be-
! The precious minutes were slipping fast
away, and yet dared not seem in haste The
/ old man had returned to his choppng, and
the monotonous ,hud of the hatchet alone
sounded through the room. Presently | said,
careessIy Well, Tm just going for q turn
iu the wood now, aud presently l shall get
YOU to 20 round with me- | had not doUe
! speaking when the old woman's door opened,
and heard her foot beginning slowly to des-
cend the stairs. Was she going there :? All
might, perchance, be safe but if that broken
key should still be id the lock the secret was
betrayed. Ia desperation | racked my brain
for some device to bring her back Stay u
exclaimed to the old man, isn't that your
wife ? | want her to get me, if she can, some
eggs and vegetables 10 take to town will
pay WE'LL
His eyes frightened, and absorbed in that
promise, he never saw the agitation of my
manner he stepped to the door Meg" be
called, the gentleman wants ye. Come down
will ye Z"
A pause aud then she said from above ::
:" shan't be leng.'
| / breathed hard.
Gone now" be called again, "thc gentle
mans waiting = and then the foot came slow
ly down A few miaates later, sew her, with
relief no words can tell, so off with basket
on her arm to the henhouse aud garden. Now
was my time, and there wa9 no. moment to
lose. Followed by cid Pearce, crossed the
ball. As stood waiting while be anfaStened
the door, the lads words about the son came
to my mind He might be away if so-if
there vas bat this one man to face, would
battle it alone, and uot leave her for an hour
in their hands.
don't know" said carelesslv, wheth.
er your sons at home if so, would he direct
me, byand-by, to Leckford, and carry my bag
aud basket !"
Yes, he can CO." was the reply.
That course, then, was hopeless, and must
try the other way. Slowly sauutered along
the wood path, puusiug from tine TO time to
look with seeming interest ct the trees and
shrubs around me and back at the old house
and still that man stood in the door, wav look
ing after me. At last | turned my head, and
he was gone but while within sight Of those
windows | dare not quicken my pace. A few
steps more, and | was close to the old gate
leaned upon it for miaute, and then un,
latched it and passed through. All was still
| and quiet In the early morning light, save
| rabbit boendiug across the path and the rocks
cawing overhead. | went on a little way,
then stopped, and ouce again looked back, the
old house was hidden now, aud 10 human fig
ure was in sight. Another glance, and then
away like the wind through the fields and
woods, and over the common, where low
red house stood in its solitude. On | went,
into The fir plantation, through more fields,
and then clambering fence, made for q white
house upon the brow of bill near. That
house, my boy guide had said, belonged to
Mr. Archer and he had said, too, that he
was a magistrate Little as had noticed his
words at the time, all-the name, the place
bad come fresh to my mind in nv night
watch, and | was going there to ask his aid
On, on and now my laboring breath was
failing, and my feet seemed fastened to the
ground but still struggled forward, and at
last thank Heaven for it =! l had gained the
door.
Mr.. Archer looked surprised then led the
way Indoors to small study. In few hur-
ried words | told him all but as went on l
saw the wonder in his face turning to disbe.
lief, and the kind, thoughtful eyes involunta.
rily glancug now at my disordered dress, now
at my flushed aud agitated face He thought
me mad. With great effort l composed
myself, steadied my voice and said : " You
think this wild story, but l swear solemlly
that every word is true, and l call on you as
a magistrate to give me help"
He was silent for a moment then replied:
% s a marsl rate and as q man I shnnla ha