Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-26
CHAPTER *.
I BREAK OUT OF PRISON.

next four weeks i'll as many minutes; as
would had done at the timel For l spent
them in bitter cold cell in the main tower
of Bristol keep, with chair and a pallet of
straw for all my furniture, and nothing to
stay my fast but the bread and water that
the jaier-a sour man, if ever there were
one-brought me twice day.
One fine frosty morning. then, when 1 had
lain in this distress Just four weeks, the door
of my cell opened, and there appeared
young woman, not uncomely, bringing in my
bread and water. She was the jailer's daugh-
ter and wore a heavy bunch of keys at her
girdle
"Oh, good morning." said l; for till now
her father only had visited me, and this was
a welcome change.
Instead of answering cheerfully, as looked
for, she gave little nod of the head, rather
sOrrowful, and answered.:
Fathers abed with the ague.n
Now you cannot expect me to be sorry"
Nay" she said; and caught her looking
ut me with something like compassion in her
blue eyes, which moved me to cry out sud-
denly;
~ think you are woman enough to like q
pair of lovers"
"Oh, ay; but where's t'other half Of the
pairl"
you're right. The young gentlowoman
that was brought hither with me, know not
if she loves me; but this do know, would
give my hand to learn her whereabouts and
how she fares"
Better eat thy Loaf" put in the girl, very
suddenly, setting down the plate and pitcher.
Twas odd, but / seemed to hear a sob in
her voice. However, her back was towards
me as | glanced up. And next moment she
was gone, locking the iron door behind her.
l turned from my breakfast with a sigh,
having for the moment tasted the hope to
hear something of Della. But in a while,
feeling hungry, picked up the loaf beside
me and broke it i'll two
To my amaze, out dropped something that
jingled on the stone floor.
Twas small file; and, examining the loaf
again, found clasp knife also, and strip
of paper, neatly folded, hidden in the bread
DEARE JAcK-Col. Essex, finding no good come
of his interrOSatOries, hath set me at large;
though continue under his eye, to wit, with q
dowager of his acquaintance, a Mistress Finch
Wee dwell in private house midway down St
Thomas lis street, in Redcliff and she hath put a
dismal dress upon me Uack, it's hideous) but
otherwise uses me not III. But take care Of thy
self, my deare friend; for though the colonel be
gentleman, lie is prest by them about him, and at
our last interview noted mischief in his eye
Canst this files-(but take care; all the gates
saw guarded with troopers today.) This by one
who hath been my friend; for whose sake tear the
paper up And believe your cordial, loving com
rade, d. X
After reading this dozen times, till had
it by heart, tore the letter into small pieces
and hid them in my pocket. This done, felt
lighter hearted than for many a day, aud
(rather for employment than with any further
view began lazily to rub away at my window
bar, The file worked well. By noon the bar
was half severed, and broke or to whistle
tune Twas:
Ware en- tous cas-,
C'est lie grand Soulas,
and l broke off to hear the key turning in my
lock.
The jailer'S daughter entered with my sec
ond meal Her eyes were red with weeping.
Said /, docs your father beat your
''He has, before now" she replied; "but not
today"
Then why do you weepF'
mot for that"
''For what, thenl"
'For you-oh, dear, dearl How shall l
tell it, They are going to-toH- She sat
Iohn Oh Tue CualT, anu SOODeQ Ii ner apron.
"Whst is't they are going to DOR
"To-to-h-hang you"
"The devill Whenr
"Tut-tut-to-morrow mo7hoFningI"
Invent suddenly very cold all over. There
was silence for a moment, and then heard
the noise of some one dropping plank In the
courtyard below.
whats that7"
"The gug-gug"-
"Gallowsf'
She nodded
'You are but a weak girl, said !, meditat-
ing. Il
Gay, but there's a dozen troopers on the
landing below"
Then, my dear, you must lock me up"
decided, gloomiy, and fell to whistling
Vivre en- tous cas-,
C'est le grand sorias-
A workmans hammer in the court below
chimed in, beating out the tune and driving
the moral home. heard low sob behind
me. The jailer's daughter was going.
LEND me your bodkin, nay dear, for me
mento."
ITO BE CONTINUED