Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-07-08

VIII not go away without seeing Edna
She can core in here with you to morrow
night
We both objected. ut will be very haz.
ardous. Fred. Old Bumford would be sure
to see her; his eyes are everywhere"
''Tell him you want her to sing over the
chants with you. Johnny. Tell him any.
thing. But. go away for an indefinite pc.
riod without first convincing her that il Is
not guilt that sends me, will not"
SO there was no more TO be said.
The getting provisions together seemed
to have been easy compared with what we
should have to get up nova disguise. A
smock-f-ock, say. and other items OF day
laborer's apparel.
Mack leaves belongings of his in the
barn occasionally" said Tod to me as we
walked home together. We'll look to-
morrow night"
1t was our best hope. Failing that, there
would be no possibility of getting smock-
frock anywhere, and Fred would have to
escape in his coat turned inside out, or
something like that. His own trousers.
hitched up and plastered with mud at the
feet. would do very well, and his own
wide-awake hat, pulled low down on his
face.
Saturday. And Tod and with our work
before us. Gisby was sinking fast. Late
IN the afternoon | went to the parsonage.
Fortune favored meas it seemed to have
favored us throughout. Edna Blake was
slone in the school in her lilac print dress,
looking over about a wheelbarrow full of
socks and stockings. Her large dark eyes
looked as sad and big as the hole she was
darning; and her voice had a hopeless
ring in il.
''Oh. Johnny, how you startled me !
Uaye-have you come TO tell me any
thing?"
Yes" said, dropping my voice. II
have brought you message from Fred
| Westerbrook.
Down went the socks In a heap. "Oh,
johnny"
''IIush. No. he is not taken, he is In
safe hiding. What's more, Edna, he is no
more guilty than am. He met the poach d.
ers accidentally that night just before the
atiray. and he never had gun in his hands
at all,''
A prolonged, sobbing sigh, as if she
were going TO choke, and then a glad light
in her eyes. She took up her work again
! | went over to the seat next her, aud told
her all. She was darning all the while
With such a heap of mendng the fingers
must keep on.
To America" she repeated 10 answer
to what said. What is he going TO do
for money TO carry him th!ther?'
"Ile talks OF working his passage over
He has enough money about him to take
him TO the coast. Unfortunately, neither
Tod moi | can help him in that respect,
/ We have brought empty pockets from
school, and shall get no money before the
time OF going back again. Will you go in
and see him, Edna!'
Yes" she said, after 4 minutes consid-
Grafton. Il will bring a roll of music in
my hand, as you suggest, Johnny, for the
satisfaction of Clerk Bumford's curiosity.
And | will be at the stile as near eight
O'Clock as eau. If you will come out there
TO meet me-"
The dinner was later than usual that
night; II struck half past seven before we
got out. having secured another bottle of
beer. The moon was rising behind the
] trees as we went into the barn.
Tod s,"""t match. and we looked
| about. Yes, fortune was with US still
| Hanging ON the shaft OF the cart was
Mack's smock irock. Ii was anything but
clean. but beegars can't be chosers. Next
We deserted cotton neckerchief and a
pair OF boots-two clumsy, clod-hopping
boots, with nails in the thick soles and the
| outside leather not 10 be seen for patches
They must do said Tod with a rueiul
look. But just look at the wretches,
smock-irock into the church porch, while
you go round TO old BIS for the key
Il have the key. flung hIm a shilling
this morning, instead OF the key. saying
might be wanting to practice ever SO many
tunes to-day, and would give it to him to.
night"
Letting Tod into the church. | went to
meet Edna Blake. She was already there.
the roll of music in her hand. Bumford
shot out of his house, and crossed our
path.
Good evening, Mr.. Bumford :" said she
| cheeriy. Il AIN come ts try the hymns
Tor tomorrow, with Johnny Ludlow"
They'd need TO be sumat extra. they
had with all this here fuss o practicing."
returned Bumtord. BE the parson at
home, Miss Blake:
Yes; he is in the little room. writing"
Cause | want TO see him." said the
clerk. and he stalked of.
do you know how Gisby is?'' Edna
asked me in a whisper.
Dead by this time, daresay. But
have not heard"
They were at the top of the church when
We got in, laughing in covert tones; |
guessed it was over those dreadful boots.
Edna stood by me while locked the door.
and then we went at once to the organ
anu UcSdu tiC Clu
not be too far of yet to catch the sounds,
Later Fred Westerbrook and Edna paced
the aisle aIm-in-arm. | kept on playing
Tod. hardly knowing what to do with
himself. whistled an accompaniment.
How long shall be away. Edna!'
exclaimed Fred. in answer to her question.
"Why, how can / tell? 1t may be for
wears it may be forever. l cannot come
back. l suppose, while this thing is hang
ing over my head"
She was in very low spirits, and the
tears began to drop from her eyes. "i ou
may not succeed in getting away"
NO, may not. And do you know. Ed
ma, there are moments when | feel inclined
not to attempt it, but to give myself up
instead Ii l do get away, and get on in
the ST tates. so as to make myself home.
will you come out and share it with meT'
Yes" sne answered.
Il may do it. think l shall. Pract-
cal farmers get on well there if they
choose. though they have to rough it at
first. 1t may not be a luxurious home,
neither may have anything of position.
But if l get enough for comfort, will you
come out to it?'
Il will" she said. with great sob.
MY darling!''
Echo bore the words to us. softly though
they were spoken. | played a crashing
chord or two, after the manner of Rich
, ards.
''You may not hear from me-" continu'
Ell Fred. Il must not give any clue tt
where l am, and therefore cannot write
at least, not at present. Men accused Of
murder, can be fetched home from any
part Of the world. Only trust me, Edna
Trust me! though it be for years"
r No fear but she would. She put small
; packet in bis hand.
/ You must take it, Frederick. 1t is IN,
half-year's salary ten pounds - and
E chance to have it Ry. me; loan if yOl
will but take it you shall. 1t will be
little less miserable for me in knowing tina
4, you have few pounds to help you away
I aud to fall back upon"
e But, Edna
: Il declare l will throw it away If you d.
l not take it," she returned excitedly. ID,
;. not be cruel to me. Frederick. If yOl
: know how it will tighten my doubts an,
b fears you would not hesitate"
Il n. s.