New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-06

!" Boys alive.- burst out Bill, 81 would give
something to have seen that tuss,le. Are you ho'
mad that the shammng brute got away HUH
No. I'm rather glad For he was such young
lad and so handsome that somehow to me lie ciu
not look 'villanous only reckless III -.
Poor. fellow Tell us what he was IKE, ~,
tered Aileen and Loo. with lips parted IN reaay
sympathy wh.fcupon, thus melted ! gave the mos
graphic portrait in my power of the lad whose lace
had certainly stirred me in his favor. III wa. was
foolish TO move maidens minds TO more pity than
women generally have, which is enough, put That
did not occur to me then; Ii. MI,
Said Aleen You would not stop him, BILL Bln:
that he did, but he had TO fight him. a.,
Children, said Bill paternally and graveE; -
hope may not meet him. For II he comes across
nv dutv pity or no pity, as Gilbert IennOx did.
But" Bill drew long breath the unhappy crea-
turc won't have much chance, for all the haVvleh
know and are turning out TO hunt the moor thls
evening This valley is his lkeliest line OF escape
you see. And they mean to get the Government
Then God help himl" said |. " If he has a
mother, her heart must be sore for him. -,
A slight noise startled us. 1t was like rustic
in the branches Of the creepers outside the open
"Whisht what's that?" Bill half turned to
rise, but supper and the days fatgus had made him
FIJI see cried Loo, always alert, and sprnging
to the window she bent far out, peering into the
summer darkness.
Nothing Inc cnlld spoke SLOWLY anu NciJ
dsntinctly. IL was backb bird, perhaps; they arc
such noisy things" -
Still she looked steadily out, not aware Aileen
had come softly behind her and was looking too
Dye know" went on Loo i'll her clear treble.
still Speaking with most 0f her thin little Dody
outside if were to see that convict, what I'd say
to him |? Stay where you arc-pil bring you 1000
Quite right, DEAR" said Aileen from the back
ground. s;n,ou 7
rnAa pa III.
So they came. One might find fault with Bill
Connolly's Irish brogue and expressions II may DC
here remarked but no child or woman living, aaa
few men, would not feel cheered by the warmth
and joyousness of his rich voice and the sweetness
like sunshine, of his frequent smile
Now. supposing, as children say, just fancy of
mine Surprising while we sat in there, in cosey,
merry quartette, that only few feet away re low
creature was crouched outside IN the DARKNESS
trembling at every sound that stlfred the leaVes Oh
his LARA hunted, huDgered, desperate Delng, 100
lame to crawl much further, Just ABOUT spent
Surprising him to see in through the open WINDOW.
and gnash his teeth at the contrast between this
happy homegrown and his outcast self! Well.
WE'LL II we realized the misery, near or far, that
hundreds Of our brothers and sisters must pc
suffering during our hsppest moments We should
never know o smile.
Bil and had begun discoursing of old days and
old friends while Aileen's gracious presence was
full of mute sympathy as she sat with her lips
just touched to happy smile, or her lovely eyes
deep with the sadness or our lOst JOYS, acquiring
we were gay or regretful.
Meanwhile Loo was childshly busy removing
dishes, and carrying them to side table she care
fully pushed close to the open window Pres-
emily it struck me vaguely that pile OF scenes
noticed her taking from before me had lessened
at the window during the last five minutes
Rubbish. | was dreaming. Three remained.
Next time glanced up there was but one. De-
and slightly started. bare, brown hand just
then stole in at the window-corner, closed on
the last scone, and noselessly disappeared.
Hallol' was on my, lips but before the I, e *
mine under the table. Our eyes met, with warn
ing in her glance. Then she looked at Bill who
was busily illustrating the curves Of his new
railway Ts. with sha on Touched s ber ps
Come now, dear old boy and rising, Ailcen
Mr.. Lennox out for smoke at the front of the
house, and We will follow ,. No, we
can't come just yet either of US. Loo and l have
some little matters to attend to"
Presently she and Loo came out and joined us
as we were enjoying the beauty Of the moonlight
slverng wide wheat-feld that spread on two
sides of the house, and showing the soft ridges of
moorland beyond, contrasting with dark patches
OF wood and shadowy rocks in the valley, 1t
was balmy night to my thinking, but Aileen
Darling, you're chilly. Stop bit. and III
bring out wrap for your shoulders. Ny old
light ulster will do said Bill who was full OF
solicitude for these young sisters under his
charge lie was striding away when Ailecn
stopped him with laughing entrcaty in her voice
Not the ulster Don't be vexed, Bill, but it
was such an antiquated garment that I--gave it
away not long ago
What my coat? without leave?'
Yes, Bill, you might have said No
Bill burst into a guffaw despite himself.
All, bad girls that you both are. Why, Gil;
bert, if didn't make a row sometimes they would
hardly leave me shirt to my back.
When he departed to find some substitute for
the vanished ulster Aileen hastily seized the OPP
portunity- TO murmur shyly:
Mr.. Lennox, | hope that YOU understood.
You did guess, did you not, at supper why sig
Yes, 1 did," said I, reassuringly,. surprising
that Crazy Joe had been prowling; and delighted
to make even q village idiot into link of secret
alliance between us.
1T was best. wasn't it, not TO tell Bill ?" she
hurried on with intense eagerness, bending for
ward TO whisper from her seat. :" ] hate hiding
anything from him, bit you heard what he said.
Am | right?
Quite right, in my opinion This with hearty
Just then came noisy hum and the heavy
booted tramp of men in the deep lane near the
cottage door.
exclaimed Bill returning. lie strobe forward
rather anNiously TO the little gate in the moon
light to see the crowd go by, and we followed
Look, they are carrying big sticks; and See
the dogs Oh, it's not fair" whispered Loo,
wrathfulIy. The child cleuched her hands as by
the light of some dark lanterns flashed by the
leaders we saw the rough men and some mongel
ours at their heels
Among the party lad in tattered clothes was
the object Of coarse laughter and derision. lie
was dancing and capering like satyr with three
pheasani-tail feathers stack in his battered hat,
and long churchwarden in his mouth
THAT is Crazy Joe. SO they are teaching him
to smoke" murmurcd Alcen. greatly vexed.
Good evening. boys" said Bills big genial
voice. Il hope if you run your fox to ground
you'll give him fair play, as Englishmen should;
and try to deal as kindly IS you with fell
low-creature.
Hes a fer-a murderer. The likes OF him
don't deserve much kindness" answered surly
spokesman out of the darkness although a hum
Of "All right Mister Connolly. we'll see fair
play showed that Bill was favorite with the
majority.
"A murderer! II can't be true cried Aileen