Evening journal., 1892-09-12

member IL is tho commander OF the rort
as well as your father who trusts you."
Every leaf in the old cottonwood ON
the bank seemed TO culver as VIII
started on his lonely trip The green
band Of light above the horizon had
quite died away, and the river seemed
blaclxer than the night Things which
were plain enough by daylight appeared
mysterious and fearful now, and every
huge black shadow around the boat
seemed to contain an enemy.
It was not pleasant TO think Of the
sunken snags an unfamiliar oarsman
might encounter, nor was that CHASTITY
bend Just above. where the encroaching
river cut far into the old cemetery, a
cheering recollection.
Il will not think Of itl7 he said. ut
must be nearly time for me to turn
across TO the Towhead. The current
may carry me down a little, but would
rather pull for it than stay on this side
and get the horrorsw
His sharp. short whistle was answered
by figure leaping aboard before the
skill had fairly touched the shore.
Il knew You would come, "the young
man said SAT dark Nina put light in
my window just as she used to when |
was out late on the river, and knew
you had been there. Before we go any
further tell me the name Of the person
am trusting myself to-"
"The trusting is not entirely on your
side, Prescott. Do You know what il
means when tell you my name is Den
ning?"
1T means that If l play the rascal it
would be worse for you TO have helped
me than for any one else. see and
appreciate it."
"The only wayin which l can settle
it with my conscience is TO consider you
my prisoner on parole while you are in
side the lines. and SEQ you safely outside
before leave You"
GLOW about your pickett
Fortunately for You he is up at the
old sawmill. lie saw me, hailed me, and
got the password as went up. Lielow
now as we go by. He knows Inc and
viii merely wonder what / am about"
AS they were swinging inshore by a
raft Of decaying logs a suppressed voice
called to them;
"Johnl It's Fred, and it's oil right
You slip off here and cut for the side
gate. Harry is there and Nina"
Nov, Prescott, said VIII, "its Il
o'clock and give you until midnight
Goodby"
It was a long walk. WIN never for
got those two hours alone on the great
river at night. All sorts Of doubts ant
misgivings came crowding into his minC
as he listened to the mysterious noises
Of the night and the river. A brigh
constellation which he had watched a
home seemed like the visit Of q friend
as it came wheeling into sight over tn
hill II cheered him not a little, but
was marching westward rapidly befor
the parOled prisoner returned.
"Nina's cedar sliff is just here" Pres
colt explained, rs he came out prompt,
on time. cit Is loaded with all nee'
for my journey. She has planned 70
everything, and you need only go hal
way with me, Denning. Your duty vii
be done then. Strike directly across
and miss your picket We can max
the Towhead by hard pull on the othe
side-at least can"
At daylight Win was in his father
room again.
as it all right, Will"
"All right, father, and am not sorr.
l went"
The talk Of the town found the com
mandant's boys intimacy with the Pres
colts nine days wonder, and scoffe
not little at the Prescott boys. Blu
the intimacy continued, to the secre
amazement Of Colonel Denning, and i
after years ripened into the friendshi
of lifetime.-Mary Stewart in Youth
Companion