The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-06-16
CHAPTER XIV.


The stars were brilliant in the night
sky of June as she pursued her way.
She took the road away from Ayles-
worth, with the intention of making
her flight as secret as possible.
She had formed no plans; she had
no money. To put as much distance
between Randall Belmont and herself
as possible was her eager desire. Be
cause she had told him that she would
give him the final answer on the NOR
row; that answer would be sure to
separate them, and she wished never
to see his face after he had read it.
In loneliness and WEAKNESS she
plodded on till daybreak. Her prog
ress was slow and painful; she was not
really able to walk at all in this early
convalescence, but her determination
bore her mp, and gave her some ficti-
tious strength.
With frequent rests by the way she
had at daylight accomplished about
five miles. She began to see then that
it would be impossible for her to con-
ceal the way of her escape. Carts and
wagons on their way to Ayleswortn
market frequently passed her. Some
of the drivers she knew, at least by
sight, and she saw that there were
looks of astonishment at seeing her
afoot and alone upon the road at such
an hour.
When exhausted nature within her
cried out for relief, she stopped before
a mean-looking house by the side of
the road. A loaferish-looking man
was leaning over the gate, smoking a
pipe.
Can I stop here little while, and
get something to eat?" she asked, in
hesitating way.
He stared at her without removing
his pipe.
Dunno" he growled. "Who be
you anyway?"
please do not ask me, sir. I only
want to refresh myself a little, ard
then go on"
ooh, you do-and you don't" sneered
the man. Got any money!"
She had to admit that she had none.
We'll, then, you go right on. Sus-
picious characters without money amt
my kind"
The fellow laughed at his own bru-
tality, and the distressed girl moved
away.
She hardly had the courage to ask
again; but at the next house pleas
ant faced young woman, with three or
tour children at her heels, came run
nlng out to her as she passed, with an
exclamation of surprise and pleasure.
why, if it amt Miss Brysonl Where
on earth are you going to at such
time OF day? And on foot, tool Come
IN, and tell me all about it,
The good creature had formerly been
her nearest neighbor at the old house,
and she remembered many little acts of
kindness that Jessica had shown her.
The wanderer went in and rested
herself, and ate and drank, while the
woman never ceased to ask her cues
tons. The girl evaded most of them,
and such answers as she gave were
very unsatisfactory to the questioner.
There's something the matter with
you, miss; I'm certain of it. You Just
take off your things, and stay with me
/ awhile. Somebody's been trying to
impose upon you; | see that by your
! looks Tell me who to send for, and
my Joe shall go and carry any message
you want to send.
Jessica rose in alarm.
There is no trouble" she said. al
thank you for your kindness, and will
bid you good-morning."
Against the good womans urgent
protests she went on her wav.
Walking on until she was too ex-
hausted to move, she obtained ride
with farmer in springless wagon.
which hardly relieved her fatigue. but
WIN h brought her three miles further
on her way.
The sun was now high, the day was
warm. Until near noon she went on.
weak, dizzy, ieverish. She saw a
spring by the roadside, and went to it
to relieve her thirst, She sat down
/ upon stone, intending to rest for
few moments. When she tried to rise.
/ she fell helpless in the grass.
She could do no more: her strength
was utterly gone. She closed her ewes.
and wished that she might die here.
The chatter of hoofs in the road
caused her to open them. The vision
OF great black horse appeared to her.
she heard an exclamation, a sound of
/ hurrylng feet; an arm was passed about
her. and she was held up AGAINST Ran
/ dali Belmont's knee.
| How cruel this is of you, Jessical"