The Columbus journal., 1888-05-02
CHAPTER XXXvI.

had Set himself. But the cool breeze seemed
, to refresh him marvelously, and IN another
moment he despised the green hoilo" under
| the elm that had looked so inviting, and
| hurried UP toward Philip Bre.ons house.
| He shook his head wisely as he walked II
took a pretty smart man to get ahead OF
| John Gi1dinss. drunk or sober. The young
| mill owner wasn't nearly as frightened a
| usual. Something was in the wind. lie
ought to have watched him closer lately, but
| Giddings concluded he was in good time yot
| with Breton at one end of the village, his
! wife at the other, and himself, the acute
l lawyer, between them.
The lawyer had walked as far g Silas
| Euingsworth's house, when he caught sight
| Of a pair of horses on a fast trot, drawing a
| close coupe. Elegant pairs and chariots OF
that description were not so common In
| Bretonville as to make it doubtful who might
own this one, and besides it must have been
an occasion Of peculiar necessity that called
for such unaristocratic haste. Giddings was
perfectly delighted with his own sagacity:
He knew human nature pretty well. When
| q man gets another in an unpleasant situa-
| ton, he must count on the unfortunate
struggling to escape. II It happens to be a
| he need not be SO watchful-wonlen
| are all fatalists. But It takes . pretty smart
man to get ahead Of John Giddings.
whoa, whoa, | say" The lawyer had
| thrown himself in front Of the excited horses,
II olfA tAS SAAsSA AAA w H"AA ~
| running over him. whoa, I say"
Then he stepped to the door Of the carriage
| and turning the knob threw it wide open.
| The moonlight revealed a woman surrounded
| with carpet bags and shawls. A thick brown
veil concealed her features, but Mr.. Giddings
took OFF his hat to her.
Mrs. Breton, l believe"
s.Why yes,n she Gid not recognize him,
"but l am in a hurry" she said nervously
drawing back:
Drive on Henry"
NO, you don't" insisted Giddings, mount
ing the steps. II guess you don't know me-"
His liquor began to overcome him again,
"namets Giddings, amt goin' far, are youf'
ITO EuroDe, she answered quickly, recog-
nizing him ut last. Il have no further occa-
sion for your services l have paid you'
"Not s'much as your second husbands paid
l me since" he gurgIed. III you're goin' SO
far, guess I'll go to, l like your family, Miss
Breton"
Drive on, I command you, she screamed,
and the horses started. Giddings lurched
forward, and Bertha put out her white hands
and tried to push him hack. He clutched,
with an oath, at something to hold to, but
she loosened her India shawl and the mar
carried 1t with him into the ditch. But he
leaped to his feet.
Hold. stop! police! police!" but Giddings
had no sooner spoken than the village police
man laid his hand on his arm
"Here l a1n, sir, whatIl you havef'
"Stop that carriage; arrest that woman,
she is a criminal" Giddings had shaken OF
the poiiceman's grasp and started to run after
the carriage.
''You must be very drunk said the other,
overtaking him, that Is Mr.. Breton's wife"
II know that" screamed the lawyer, land
l tell you to stop her, let me 60"
More likely you're the criminal Halo,
what you doing with that Indy shawl. Guess
I'll have to lock you up. Come along quiet,
now"
But Giddirgs was perfectly frantic. He
fought with his feet and hands, and with his
teeth, kicking, tearing and biting like q wild
beast.
Don't let her escape, l say, never mind
me, I'll give you a thousand dollars. I'll tear
your heart out, you villain. Stop her, stop
her!" The officer grew angry at last, and
drew his billet, but still the fellow struggled
and screamed like q wild creature, till blow
after blow paralyzed his arms, and finally
stretched him unconscious and bleeding on
the ground.
along, subdued at last.
Blu: q woman had stood in her window as
the carriage had rolled by, and she had rec
OSnized the equipage, too. "A sudden change
came over her face.
Where are you going, Jennief' Her huS-
band looked up calmly from his paper.
Out a minute, she hardly looked at him,
that is ALL"
But it is almost 8 o'clock, my dear, what
can you want OUT"
Her breath came fast, and two bright red
spots burned in her cheeks. Mr.. Ellingsworth
had never seen her 50 pretty. He must keep
her So Il few moments. He stepped to the
door and turned the key, then he put 1t in his
pocket and threw himself back ON his chair
again.
u, 49, L.. ,~;<h ao.lln-,
"How dare yOu-am l your slaveS l want
to 80 out"
Her husband settled down cczily in his
seat, and smiled his old brilliant smile. She
had never seen him laugh any more than the
rest Of his acquaintance. He might, per
haps, have laughed before an intimate, but
men like Silas Ellingsworth have 10 init
mates.
How lovely You are when you are angry.
see l have made q mistake in being 80 ami
able with you. What treats l have lost.
Why, you are better than an actress, my
the complexion"
Precious time was flying: the carriage had
rolled away out Of sight; her victim had out
witted her-her hate would be baked for
ever, and all for her husbands foolish
caprice. She stamped her foot at him. II
mus: 60" There was Yet time to rouse the
villagers, and fetch back the fugitives from
Justice. Oh, what devil Of stupidity had
possessed her wise husband tonight "Give
me the key" She had come close to him, but
she did not scream when she was angry, her
voice grew low and almost hoarse, 'or 1 will
leave you forever"
He had laid aside his paper now, with quite
a serious air, and Jane felt vaguely fright
ened; she had never seen him sober viii her.
Could ne do any more than Others when they
are angry' She did not reason about it; she
only began to be afraid of her own words.
L His wac the only nature in the world cOuld
have tanned her SO completely.
Every moment Philip Breton's carriage
was bearing the woman Jane hated to safety
and peace that her false heart had never de-
served But there were heeter horses in Bre-
tonville than his; they could be pursued; they
could be overtaken and dragged back in
greater ignominy than ever. 1t would be
more terrible for Bertha even than if the
blow had come while she sat serene in her
own home. To be overtaken in flight would
husbands arms. She kissed his eyes, his
mouth, his white neck; she covered his
smooth hands with kisses; twining her arms
about his neckShe lavished the tendereSt of
carressing epithets OF him. Then she drew
herself away. Her black hair had been part
" loosened, and as she stood hung we'll down
her flushed cheeks. She had raised her hands
and clasped them over her bosom; her lips
parted; surely no human being can resist
such wistful beauty as hers.
please let me go"
But before he could answer she heard q
noise like thunder and rushed to the window.
She sees nothing, but the sound comes on
nearer and nearer; it comes from the hill.
Something white CLEANS in the moonlight.
What do you seer asked Mr.. Eilingsworth
carclessly, returning to his newspaper.
She holds her breath. Nearer it comes,
Philips white horse Joe on a mad gallop.
But Philip h not upon him Who is that
rider, with long, uncovered hair and pale,
haggard face! He strikes the maddened ami
mai every moment for better speed, though
now they seem flying faster than the wind.
The man is Curran- Let him be bis own
svenger, then.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS.
The Breton carriage had passed the last
house in the village. when Philip leaned out
for one last look at the home Of his childhood
and the scene Of the only work he should ever
do. He was almost q boy yet; it seemed
only q fau- days Sip.a no had lOoEa1 Of tho