Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-16

SISSD bIldt huONS uU WdhluS. liz AASAu-
ming he dreaded had left him unscathed
| only that he might be overcome by
more cruel agent, This was murderer's
work upon which Simon White, and
close behind him Martin Drascott, looked,
the latter with livid face and trembling
limbs. Charity had remained outside at
first, but a strong fascination soon drew
her also within. She crept to Martins
side and clutched his arm trembling y
Come away, Martin, y she said, scarce
" above her breath e come away
They'll be saying next that we did it."
"No, not that-my God, not that!
Where is Simon? He was here minute
ago."
{" He slipped out just now. He will
have US taken up for murder. L read 1t
in his eyes. We shall be sent TO prison,
you and I that in all our lives have never
done anything to hide our heads for. We
shall be disgraced before all the town.
Martin, we can't stay here-indeed we
can't"
If he had not been so stunned Martin
had intelligence enough to know that to
60 away would be the worst possible
course to pursue; but his brain forces
were thrown from their equilibrium, and
temporarily paralyZed. Consequently he
was easily carried off by Charity's fright
and pleadings. She put a quantity of pro-
visions into travelling basket, and they
set out together with such consciousness
OF security perhaps as the ostrich has
when her head is hidden under sand.
A mile farther up the river there was
notch in the ridge through which they
passed into region Of forest, with only
settlers cabin at long intervals. On
| they walked, keeping within shelter OF
| the woods both for comfort and security
The morning waned and hot noon came
on. They were footsore and tagged, but
dared allow themselves only few mo-
ments for rest. Before their dry and
meager meal of biscuits and cheese was
half eaten Charity urged with a scared,
| backward glance that they ought to be
moving. Martin complied YEARLY, fin
| isbing his bread and cheese on the way
| Secretly he was beginning to regret this
wild fight. To go hack now, however,
was not to be thought of, and he would
not speak out his regrets lest Charity
should fancy that he meant to upbra:d
her for urging him to the undertaking.
He dared not think yet what the morrow
was to bring. When their small stock Of
provisions was gone they would be almost
like two babes in the woods for helpless
ness, but he could put off reflection upon
that for some other time. Just now the
CHASTITY object he had seen that morning,
and the consciousness that Charity and
himself were fugitives-from WHAT
came between him and all collected
thought
An hour or two before nightfall Charity
was obliged, still with a scared, backward
glance, to declare that she could go no
farther Martin discovered a deserted
lumberman's camp, brought into it as
good collection of boughs as he could
make with no ak for looping them and
the two slept there that night.
With the early morning they were astir
again, but their steps were tagging, for
the yesterdays tramp had told upon their
muscles, unused to such exercise. Then
they had been able to find no spring
of water near what Martin called, with q
pathetic attempt at pleasantly, their
6 inn" After going on two or three
hours and still finding no water they
came out into a cleared field with cot
tage in sight, and a sweep and curve
marking well in front
go dear" said Charity, longingly,
IL SCGluS DIS IL HAf D1OuGn is IJdpCuCu 10
the very pit of my stomach
"Wait in the grove yonder and [ will
bring you some water" replied Martin,
taking a tin clipper" from the basket.
Charity's heart was in her mouth
notwithstanding the anatomical incOn-
sistency-while she watched him across
the field. He had gone no more than
half way when fear overcame every other
consideration and she ran forward to call
him back, but had the misfortune to
make a misstep by which her ANGLE was
sprained. Martin, when he return ed,
found her limping about to test the in
iured member, and uaoaning at each step.
81 can't walk" she sobbe6, when he
came up with her. "What shall we do
now?"
Unpleasant as it was, they could only
stay where they were. They talked little,
but thought great deal. The cause of
their flight and to what it tended had not
yet been spoken of between them, nor
anything pertaining thereto; but when
twilight was fading on this second day,
| Charity, looking over the ridge toward
home said, with q slight Quaver in her
voice, "You don't think, Martin, we had
best have stayed and taken what was
sent, do you?''
Martin felt an appeal in every quaver-
ing word, and stoutly answered No"
| If the doom of Ananias had been held
distinctly before hina, he would still have
said the same.
G. was afraid you were Staining ne
because we came" she said.
81 should have no right to do that in
any event. By coming with you I made
| the measure as mUch mine as yours. So,
| if 1t should turn out unfortunate-wbieh
| | trust it may not-dOn't think OF gay
| blaming you, Charity"
She gave him grateful look, and soon
after Martin saw Simon White coming
toward their retreat. Charity saw him at
| the same time, and smothered a cry by
pressing one hard against her lips
4 might have known he would fad
us out. They've offered a reward for US
and he hopes to get it, said she, in a
husky whisper
Simon meanwhile was pushing On
through the grove with a rustliBg OF dead
leaves and a swapping of dry twigs.
So, neighbors, a pretty tramp you have
been taking; just at the time when you
were wanted at home, too" he called as
soon as he came within speaking dis
lance.
a suppose" replied Martin, with a
desperate attempt at assurance, " that we
are free to come and go as we like?"
Free? Yes, I suppose so; but it looks
3 little queer, with the rich man of the
family lying dead in your house and you
his heirs too, along with two or three of
your cousins"
His heirs! They had not once thought
of that.
"Well, WELL" Simon went on, 81 ex-