Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-03-14
CHAPTER XXXVI.


had set himself But the cool breeze seemed
10 refresh him marvelously, md IN another
moment he despised the green hollow under
the elm that had looked so inviting, and
hurried up toward Philip Bretons house,
He shook his head wisely as he walked IL
took a pretty smart man to get ahead OF
John GiddinEs, drunk or sober. The young
mill owner wasn't nearly as frightened as
usual Something was IN the wind ne
ought to have watched him closer lately, bat
Giddngs concluded he was in good time yet
with Breton at one end of the village, h.4
wife at the other, AMI hlmseC, the acute
lawyer, between them.
Tho lawyer had walked as far as SiIa'
Ellingsworth's house, when he caught sight
Of pair of horses ON fast tTot, drawing a
close coupe Elegant pairs and chariots Of
that description were not SO common IN
BretonVille as TO make il doubtful who might
own this one, and besides it must have been
an occasion of peculiar necessity that called
for such unaristoCratic haste. GlddlnGs was
perfectly delighted with his own sugacity.
He knew human nature pretty well. When
a man gets another in an unpleasant Sltua-
ton, he must count on the unfortunate
struggling TO escape, If it happens to be a
woman. he need not he so watChful-women
are all fatalists. But it takes pretty smart
man to get ahead of John Giddngs
"Whoa, whoa, | say" The lawyer had
thrown himself in front of the excited horses,
and the driver had to pull up to keep from
running over him Nhoa, | say
Then he stepped to the door of the carriage
and turning the knob threw it wide open.
The moonlight revealed woman surrounded
with carpet bags and shawls. \ thick brown
veil concealed her features, but Mr.. Giddings
took Off his hat to her.
"Alrs. Breton, believe
"Why yes,n She did not recognize him,
"but am in hurry" she said nervously
drawing back,
"Drve on Henry
"No, you don't insisted Giddings, mount
ing the steps 81 guess you don't know me-
His liquor began to overcome HIM again,
"names Giddings, amt goin' far, are you:'
ITO Europe, she answered quickly, reCOg-
nizing him at last II have no further occa-
sion for your services, l have paid you,
haven't II
"Not s'much as your second husbands paid
me since,n he gurgled "lf you're Euin' 50
far, guess I'll go to, like your family, Miss
Breton
"Drive on, l command you, she screamed,
and the horses started. GiddingS lurched
forward, and Bertha put out her white hands
and tried to push him back. He Clutched,
with an oath, at something to hold to, but
she loosened her India shawl and the man
carried it with him into the ditch. But he
leaped to his feet.
Hold! stop! policel police!" but Giddings
had no sooner spoken than the village police
man laid his hand ON his arm.
Here am, sir, whaJll you have"
she is a criminal Giddings had shaken off
the policeman's grasp and started to run after
the carriage.
''You must be very drunk" said the other,
overtaking him, THAT is Mr.. Bretons Wife
Il know that" screamed the lawyer, ''and
l tell you to stop her, let me go"
'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 Giddings was perfectly frantic. He
fought with his feet and hands, and with his
teeth, kicking, tearing and biting like u wild
beast
Don't let her escape, say, never mind
me, I'll give you thousand dollars, I'll tear
your heart out, you villain. stop her, stop
her!' The officer grew angry ut last, and
drew his billet, but still the fellow struggled
and screamed like a wild creature, till blow
after blow paralyzed his arms, and finally
stretched him unconscious and bleeding on
the ground,
"Tremens," growlcd tho policeman, as he
lifted him to his feet soon alter, and led him
along, subdued at last.
But n woman had stood in her window as
the carriage had rolled by, and She had rec
ognized the equipage, too. A sudden change
came over her face.
"Whero are you going, Jenuie.' Her hus-
band looked up calmly from his paper.
out minute she hardly looked at him,
''that is ALL
but it is almost 0 o'clock, my dear what
can You want Outf
Her breath came fast, and two bright red
spots burned i'll her checks. Mr.. EllingswOrth
had never seen her SO pretty. He must keep
her SO few moments lie stepped to the
door and turned the key, then he put it in his
pocket and threw himself back on his chair
again.
She faced him with flashing eyes.
GLOW dare you-am your slavei want
to go out"
Her husband settled down cozily 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 Sllas EllingsworA have no init
mates.
GLOW lovely you are when you are angry.
| see | have made mistake i'll being 50 ami
able with you. What treats l have lost
Why, you are better than an actress, my
dear. Such coloring as yours does not hurt
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. Il
must go.n There was yet time to rouse the
villagers, and fetch back the fugltives 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 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 with her
Could he 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
HIS was 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 tieeter 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 overtalSen in flight would |
cap her shame. Jane threw herself into her |
husbands arms. She kissed his eyes, his
mouth, his white neck; she covered his |
smooth hands with kisses; twining her arms |
about his neck she lavished the tenderest Of
epithets on him. Then she drew
herself away. Her black hair had been part |
ly loosened, and as she stood hung well 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.n
But before he could answer she heard a |
noise like thunder and rushed to the window. |
She sees nothing, but the sound comes on |
nearer and nearer: it comes from the hill. |
white CLEANS in the moonlight.
"What do YOU see r asked Mr. Ellingsworth |
,arelessly, returning to his newspaper
She holds her breath. Nearer it comes,
Philips white horse Joe on a mad gallop |
But Philip is not upon him. Who is that
'ider, with long, uncovered hair and pale,
laggard face He strikes the nladdened ami
nal every moment for better speed, though
low they seem flying faster than the wind.
The man is CuITan. Let him be his own
Ivenger, then.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS.
The Breton carriage had passed the last
H.. .-iIIn.r-. ILili1n lnnnnl ont