The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-03-19

DrlnS Dack uel VI solhe sOiU'
1t was poor fragment of hope that |
held out to him, but it was better than
nothing. We tried to get two Of the
Briggs lads to 90 with me to help in the
management of the boat, but we found
them too scared and stupid. They ap-
peared to believe that if they left the place
they might find it deserted when they got
back and be starved to death. So | went
alone.
When l landed again there was once
more no one to meet me. | climbed the
cliff to Leonard's cottage and knocked at the
door. He opened it and came out.
81 see," he said, ''that you have had no
luck"
| had had no luck and no food, but of
that said nothing. 1t was enough that L
had missed the vessel and saw in the
face of the man before me the recklessness
that comes of despair.
II knew" he said, ''that you would have
been back before if you had got help
"And Lloyd ?"
sHe has not come; nor Brown. No one
has come l have only been waiting for
you to come back"
"What to do?'
"To 90 to Matthew Law. have had
enough of it. Stop here with Gwendoline
while am away"
II was startled at this, and begged him
to do nothing rash.
at will only make matters worse, l
said. 'Wait a bit and will come with
YOU. sank exhausted on the ground as
| spoke, for had come to an end of my
strength. He looked at me without ap-
parent sympathy, but with quick apprehen-
sion.
"You're starving" he remarked
didn't think of that before .
He went indoors and brought out piece
of coarse cake, and when | pushed it away
he said:
oYou needn't scruple. She cant touch
this sort of thing. It's very little that she
wants-if only those fellows would give
her their share of the best This is gooC
enough for them and me" As | still hes
itated, he added: you'll be no good to u
without food
recognized the truth of this, so | ate
and was refreshed. Then he asked if
would 90 in and see his wife.
| did as he asked me, but when l saw
the pale, worn face and heard the sweet
faint voice Of the woman had known S,
full of radiant beauty, sat down by he
bedside and hid my face in my hands.
suppose it was hunger and weakness tina
made me so foolish. Leonard did not re
monstrate, and when ! lifted my head agair
he was not there.
But Gwendoline talked to me, with
strange sort of weary hopefulness. Leon
ard was too anxious, she said; she had al
she needed, and would soon be well again
"lf he could only be persuaded to b
quiet" she murmured; and then she asket
with sudden anxiety: "Where has HI
gone now?"
perhaps to get rations II you like
will 60 after him.
| followed him across the bridge to tn
settlement, but arrived too late to pre-
vent the mischief that was being don
there | found my friend in the custod,
of two tramps-so l always thought q
them-and with Matthew Law standin
in righteous Indignation before him.
"What's the matter?" | asked, as quietl
as could.
He has been stealing" aswered Mat
thew Law; che has broken into the publ
stores with an ak and was making off wit
food"
"Well, Isaid, "under the circumstances
! / think"
"You are stranger here, said MATTHEW
Law, and have no right to interfere. II,
helped to make the laws himself, and he
got to keep them or bear the penalty
"What is the penalty ?"
'To be locked up until we can call
general meeting and decide how to dea
with him."
"It's true" said Leonard; Give been
great fool-as always But didn't thinl
these fellows had the pluck to touch me.
al was bred for prize fighter, said ont
of the tramps, with grin that was not i'll
natured noticed as | looked at him tha
he had black eye, and was otherwise con
siderably damaged by his struggle witt
Leonard "The law stood in the way o
my getting an honest living, so | took to thu
road till you brought me here
81 was fool, Leonard repeated
Look here" remarked, as amicabl,
as could, to Matthew Law, ''it's no usc
bothering about the law just now Hi,
wife's i'll and you must let him go"
"Has that ever been a reason for lettin!
a criminal go-that his wife is NJ" asket
Matthew, doggedly. aSepd one of tn
women to her"
eGo to her yourself, that's a good fel
low" said Leonard; "and don't let hel
know what has happened"
For one moment l looked at the thre,
men whom | now regarded aaour natura
enemies, the muscular tramps, and the
plausible orator, but ! decided that to at
tack them would be useless. The priz
fighter alone would be too much for me
| should only get myself put into custod,
with Leonard, decided to go back t
Gwendoline.
told her that leonard would return
later that he had been unable to get tn,
rations he desired, but general meeting
would be called directly, and probably they
would be voted to him. This also / trie(
to believe. In the meantime l began tt
prepare some food from the miserable mate
Eials at my disposal. | had scarcely begur
before the door opened and Leonard walk
ed in. He had removed all traces of the
recent struggle from his face and clothes,
and he carried dead bird in his hand
Gwendoline uttered a cry of pleased sur
prise,
'oh," she said, "haye you given up tn,
meeting?"
"The meeting" said Leonard, quietly
"will take place later As l had the fow
l thought you had better not be kept
waiting for it." He gave glance at me
which l can only describe as controlling
at was wise of you" | muttered.
L -