San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-10
THE GREAT HESPER.
BY FRANK BARRETT.


"What do you want me to do?''
LEAD me back to the abbey. III l es-
cape from that man now, may protect
myself after"
I saw no possible reason for refusing
compliance with this request, and, tax.
ing his arm, l led him along that side of
the road where the shade was deeper.
But, before we had gone dozen yards,
shrin whoop rang through the echoing
woods to our right, and Van Hoeck again
stopped. looked in vain over the brake
for Lola, whose cry / recognized; but,
glancing up the road, perceived that
the Judge had heard the signal, and was
coming after U.S. At the same moment
Van Hoeck, starting forward, cried:
"Quick, quick-he sees us-he is COM
ing down upon u.s." and then, after an
other dozen yards, "do you want him to
overtake us that you stick to this cursed
road?"
II am looking for path; we cannot
push through the brake" replied.
CHANGING over my shoulder, saw the
Judge, his shoulders bent forward, his
arms swinging from side to side, bearing
down upon us with long strides, and
rapidly diminishing the distance between
US.
"He is gaining upon us. How far are
we from the abbey" asked Van Hoeck.
NEARLY two miles; we will run for it,
if you like"
We ran for some distance. Again
looking back, saw the Judge still plod-
ding on, with the same rhythmic swing
of his long arms. Running had given US
no sensible advantage; Van Hoeck's ear
told him this. Drops of moisture stood
on his ivid face, the result of terror
rather than exertion.
There is no one in sight-no one we
can call to for help?' he asked.
"No one. see a footpath through
the wood; if you think that will be safer"
Eyes, yes-anything is better than this
oped road!"
We took the path had caught sight
Of. 1t was good sound bridle-way, COW
cred with short turf; we ran along noise
lessly. The angle we made shut off the
view from the road. Brace could not
cut off the corner without getting en-
tangled'in tho underground of briers in.
terwoven with the tall brake.
He must follow in our steps to over
take us. The danger lay in the straight
ness of the path; which kept the view
open from the road. Our escape depend.
ed upon our finding by-path that might
deceive him as to the course we had TAX
en-; / explained this to Van Hoeck as we
ran on.
ut is time we found one now if we are
to escape" he answered.
The next step brought us to footpath
that cut the bridle-way at right angles.
Looking down the green alley toward
the road, as we turned off from it,
could see nothing of the Judge. l thought
we had beaten him.
But we advanced now with great diff
Guilty. There was room only for one in
the path, yet had to keep hold of Van
Hoeck's hand and guide him, for the
brake met before us; the trailing bram-
bles that crossed the path caught his
feet; at every step he stumbled. 1t was
hopeless to continue. Already fancied
caught glimpse through the trees Of
the Judge swinging along the bridle-way.
"Your only chance is to get among the
brake, and throw yourself down while /
go on" said. 81 can go quicker alone,
and coming behind, he may imagine that
you are still before me-"
''Show me where to CO."
l opened way through the brake, led
him behind thicket, and babe him lie
down. As he carried out this instruc-
ton, got back into the footpath, and
was then enabled to trot along at brisk
pace.
1t was only Just in time, for looking
back couple of minutes later, per-
ceived the Judge ploughing his way
through brake and bramble, which came
well up to the level of his breast, with as
little difficulty as though it had been
meadow-grass, and with the same steady
swing of his bent shoulders. He had
caught sight of me from the bridle-way,
and struck out at once into the thick of
the underground.
did not in the slightest degree par
ticipate in Van Hoeck's suspicious and
fears, and having, as hoped, succeeded
In diverting from him the object of his
dread, was Indifferent as to whether
the Judge overlook me or not. Had l
been in the humor to enjoy joke,
think should have enjoyed giving him
long chase for nothing; but circum-
stances were too grave for that. l pur-
sued the path until it dipped down into a
hollow, and there finding a fallen tree
across the path, sat down and waited
for the Judge to come up, In few
minutes he stood before me with his arms
folded on his chest, his feet planted
apart, and particularly stern look on
his gaunt, weather-beaten face.
HE has given me the slip; has he CIV
en- it to you likewise" he asked.
''No," l replied; II gave it to him. l
helped him to escape"
''Stand up, Gentleman Thorne, and
let us look each other in the face" he
said.
stood up. He held out his hand and
gave him mine.
Now, standin' here hand in hand and
face to face, say, air we the noblest works
of natur' or air we not?"
could not go so far as to admit that
his appearance realized my highest ideal
of nobility, but understood his allusion,
and replied.
81 believe you are an honest man, If
that is what you mean, Brace"
at is; and that is my opinion of you,
likewise. Let us sit down and hold a
committee. Now, pardner, will you tell
me why you let Israel gitF'
Because the poor wretch is half dis
tracted with the loss of the diamond and
his fear Of you"
.'Why do he fear mey'
stHp balieVps that Won took the dia-