Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-18
CHAPTER ",


CHAPTER Nv.
At time when strong men yielded to de-
spair, Janet Lee displayed courage tn at
won for her the admiration of all who kn ew
| her.
'Ds not give up hope, mother" she said
| to Dame Lee. SIT is not like the people of
Massachusetts to hang women and chill
| dren."
''If we had but told the truth first" Do
rothea Lee moaned, ''or if James Lee knew
how we are.-
"Hush, mother; Would you bring him
| to certain death?"
20, my sweet childl" Dorothea Lee
| clasped her hands convulsively, "my sweet,
my sweet When look at you, so young,
and think you are doomed to die like Mary
| Bradbury and Martha Carrier, my heart is
| like to burst"
Footsteps approached the door as she
| spoke, and the jailer admitted John Lee,
who clasped his wife and daughter in his
arms.
"What means this story of Wills Hill?"
"That shall be explained in good time"
said Janet quickly, "and to everybody's
He embraced them tenderly as he spoke,
| and hastened away. Presently another
footstep approached, and Arthur Proctor
entered. He gazed upon Janet with undis-
guised admiration.
"Tis thought, "he said, "that James Lee is
dead-there is no sign OF him. 1 am per-
picked when 1 try to explain what Ezra
Eastv swears. The truth lies between you
three Our friends cannot explain it to the
magistrates. And if it be true that James
Lee is really dead, as many think he is-as
John Lee thinks he has made way With
himself, tits more difficult to straighten
this matter out"
"It is best, Janet, we tell the truth about
James Lee," said her mother, but Janet
turned upon her quickly.
"Whatl And bring him into peril? 'Tis
bad enough as it is"
''Then James Lee is not dead" Arthur
Proctor looked at them keenly. "What is
this mystery? Can you not confide in me,
Janet?"
''No, no! Not even to you shall I confde
the secret lest it bring more misfortunes
upon the name of Lee"
81 will tell it-hear it from me-" said
Dorothea Lee "Janet and carried food 10
James Lee where he was hid in the hut on
Willis Hill unknown to each other"
Arthur Proctor's face cleared on the in
stant Il see the way clear now. I will
away to Governor Danforth's at once" So
| saying he passed out quickly aud once more
mother and daughter were alone, but they
were to be subjected to other trials Soon
another visitor entered the Jail in the per-
| son of Giles Ellis When he stood before
them neither spoke.
81 did not expect q warm welcome" said
Giles Ellis, but bearers of evil tidings are
never welcome"
"What greater evil can befall us than we
are forced to endure in Jail" said Dame Lee.
''There are worse, Mistress Lee. The gal
lows are worse"
cit is not possible judgment has been
given?"
II have had speech with my kinsman,
Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth. There
| is but one way to avert the evil Janet Lee
has but to be my wife. Let her promise,
and the door shall be opened to you"
Janet stared at him; then she moved
nearer to him, saving in tones tense with
passion, Monster, abhor thee!' Her
frame dIlated as she said: 'T recognize
thy hand in all this perfdy and web of lies
concocted by the wretch, Ann Bigger, at
thy instigation.
The prison door opened at that moment,
and Ezra accompanied by Ann stepped into
the jail. The maid servant made a pro-
found courtesy:
"Who sent for you two?" demanded
Janet with flashing eyes Ann gave
another mock courtesy.
"We did not want to be asked You have
none too many friends that you should
spurn u.s."
There was the sound of many voices near
the door, and the trampling of many teet
Then the prison door swung back again,
and John Lee entered. Behind him came
Deputy Thomas Danforth, and then fol-
lowed the Marshal holding Indian Joe
Following the Indian, who shrunk from
observation, came Arthur Proctor, and q
man with resolute bearing and bronzed face
brought up the rear. This man closed the
prison door with bang.
When Mistress Lee beheld this man
entering, she uttered cry of Joy and
rushed to meet him. Meantime Giles Ellis
made move toward the door, but the man
with the bronze cheeks barred the way.
"Avast there Deputy Danforth your
kinsman, has something for your ear. %
'Tt is not true judgment has been given
against us?" Dorothea asked as she looked
at her husband.
"Let Marshal Habbs answer"
Perform your duty, Marshal Habbs,"
added the Deputy Governor, sternly. The
Marshal released his grasp of the Indian
and strobe to Giles Ellis, saying in loud
tOhCb, aul commissioned Dy your klnS-
man, Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth
to say to you, first, that he washes his hands
of you, and to take you into custody for
killing your neighhor's cattle. This, your
vile tool, Indian Joe, has confessed that he
is a base perjurer. Likewise, James Lee
has established his innocence beyond
| cavil."
Giles Ellis shrank under the wrathful
look of his kinsman, covering his face with
his hands. Then Thomas Danforth himself
addressed the apprentice and Ann Bigger.
Ills meet that you TWO shall be here
such time as a council NAV determine.
This announcement elicited violent out
| burst from the apprentice and maid ser
want James Lee meantime leaned toward
Giles Ellis and in a deep voice said:
"'Tis like you will swing on the gallows
you planned for others. And if you do the
devil will get his due"
THE ENp.1