New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-09
CHAPTER XXIV.

| When Janet closing her door. had faced Hilton
O'Ncal in her room stood like ono in dream Alb
| sorbod IN his own feelings he had heard no souhd
| but Mary's voice, Endure to the end 10 HIM IL
| was as an angel speaking an angel who rehnked
The bitterness he had felt Knecling at her feet the
negro's soul took step on that narrow way so di-
cunt to human nature. Then came Janrts snddcn
cry. her terrified face. her words: "Wad yo peril
| her fe7" What did she mean
| As an answer to his query. he heard voice that
reused in him every atom of indignant manhood.
Hilton That slayer of tho imprisoned! Among
thousand other voices he would have recognized
| that one Hilton hal tracked him to this cottage
was come 10 gloat over his recapture.
"Not yet wretch! Not yet: I'll kill you before
the 9th RS como"
He tiled the door. but some one was holding it.
Before he could force it open another voice another
word, sent HIM staggering backward as if he had
| been struck
"Fathcrr Mary called him father"
| Was 1t possiblei THIS, thon. was her peril
This forever sheltered Hilton from ONeals vcngc
| ancc. Au inslanl's delay. and she would have an
enemy cruel. more Tcm0rseess than tbs blood
hound He opened the closet door. snacicd up his
| bundle every article that could tell of his beng
| there and then with qaick bound jumped lightly
from the window to the ground and ran to the
clump of trees that with hedge guarded the back
OF 3Iary's garden.
Hiding behind the thick hodge ho looked ut the
cottage. How stlt was. how peaceful What a
shelter il had been to him-what friends he had
found there! He waited through the day uncertain
from hour to hour what was TO happen and on the
| alert for the fantost sound. The sun moved Oh TO
| the west and flooded the world with spleGd0r.
That light which changed to Jewel the poorest stone
but made the ou,cast more iorlorn lie was thing
that dared not SHOW itself, dared not even rs u stone
receive the parting blessing OF the DIV inv day.
There were now no signs OF lie about the cottage.
| and he could not see the road. lie di'i moi know
whether Hilton had gone or if ho were yet there.
And though thus near; he dared not 90 nearer-
dared not. for their sakcs even speak a artlng
word TO those who lad done 50 much for him.
When the darkness tell, O'Neal picked mp his
| bundle and started on his journey. Never more
| conld he have speech with Mary or with Janet.
! Under the quiet stars he stretched out lis aims
| toward tho cottage aud with tears called down
blessings on its inmates.
| The parting over. VNcals spirits rose As he
passed through the quiet country, each step taking
him further from taat fearful prison and nearer TO
| wife and child. the difficulties hc expected did not
! seem formidable The air was fresh, and feel u Z
the strength OF returning health he walked briskly
| on, until glimnering III The distance he SAW the
lights of the city. Under some bushes by the road
side he sat down To resi- waiting until the night WAS
further advanced, v hen fewer persons would be
atoot and thus the chances Of discovery be dinin-
! ished
The rccaptnrng OF convcts was generally left TO
| Their owners or lessces, IA for bach man wlo os
| capped "a certain fine paid to the state. There
were not called upon and If he could get far enough
| away to avoid recognition OF the private force of
guards and detectives employed by the camp
VNeal ielt he could he almost secure of liberty
Trhyment was exacted only for the escaped ielon
he dead. the tortured, the murdered these
no consequence to tho b-nefcent goddess who pre-
/ sided over the statutes OF u free aud udrpcnd,nt
| state Therefore now, and now only was danger
| Imminent and even here. thus near the ca,np
| UNeal began 50 lose apprehension. MANY DAYS had
elapsed since that night. when shaking OH his chain
| he had stepped forth free man Even now be
| ptnlI a. al tnp h.t .lt a
moment even now the horrors of tina, hight inss b,
fore him, and he, femembeied the welcome liuht
! which had guided the fugitive. Aud Maty God
| bless herl' he erred
Stillef and s,illpr grew the night The occasIonal
| tnsle of falling leaf ~ the sot lowing oI sone
distant cow onl, made the slumbeiins .wotli seen,
more peacefully asleela " Was past mlnmefl when
tnje, UNeal entered the uulshiits oI the Ell, NJ
Mtph tie had Learned iio,h Janet i's hn,ne a. we'll
M all the hnewlpup sle possessed of Iva lurallt,
and surroundings lie lad .deehied ~ travel NJ
piaht, bpias unnecessarily ieea " lonely eeaaliy
o,aes whtie Interest N ~ kaewl ledge VI eeAvlets
weaid ptehably not sxnt. and where he \ Aesfe,