Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-07-28


the style of his clothes made me think diff
fetently, and decided that he should have
my watch--the most valuable thing had
about me- 1t had no particular associa.
tions, and a few pounds would get me an,
other. lie seemed pleased, almost touched
by the proposal, and also by my suggesting
that the money in my pockets should he
divided between u.s. 1t was not a large
sum. but half of it would take me to my
journeys end, | knew. He seemed full OF
resource, for when | was wondering what
to do with my loose change in my pocket
less costume he spread out my handker
chief, and putting my money and the small
things from my pockets into it knotted it
securely up and thrust it into my breast
Then, as we stood facing each other, he
took my hand in farewell. proposed ou
going on together, but this he would not
hear of.
NO" he said, with a grim laugh, 18th,
sooner and that suit of clothes part com
pany the better"
So we wished each other godspeed and
turned on our different ways-he going
back through the tunnel and keeping on.
The experiences of the last few hours had
made a great impression on me- and al
though felt awed and somewhat shaken
my nedTJ WIS llSul WIFI lllt BlduutSS Vi
one who reioices in a reprieve. The ex.
press that had been so anxious to catch
had long since gone on its way. Still, in
my present hopeful frame of mind, that
did not trouble me. Ifelt a conviction that
Mary was mending, that l should find heI
better, and comforted by this belief |
walked brskly on-at least as briskly as
my clumsy shoes would allow me, but
even in spite of this hindrance it was not
long before | reached the end of the tunnel.
The moonlight streaming down upon the
rails was pleasant sight and showed me
some time before / reached it that my goal
was at hand. When left the last shadow
behind me and stood out under the clear
sky, drew "A sigh of intense thankfulness,
drinking in the sweet, fresh air.
| walked down the country road, think
ing that would rest for few hours at the
station hotel and be ready for the first train
in the morning. But my adventures were
not yet over AS l glanced at my clothes,
thinking how unlike myself l looked and
felt something on the sleeve of my coat at
tracted my attention. 1t must be tar, which
! or the former wearer of the clothes must
have rubbed off in the tunnel. But, no.
looked again. My eyes seemed riveted to
it. 1t was unmistakable. There on the
coarse gray material of the coat was a large
broad arrow.
In an instant the whole truth had flashed
upon me. No need to examine those worst
ed stockings and heavy shoes-no need to
take off the coat and find upon the collar
the name of one of her maiesty's prisons
and the poor convct's number. AS my
eyes rested on the broad arrow, l under
stood it all. At first was very indignant
-. ..... I c.1 Il,
had been practiced on me- and | naturally
resented it. sat down by the roadside and
tried to think. The cool air blew in my
face and refreshed me- had no hat. The
convict was beginning to think of him
by that name-had given me none, saying
he had lost his cap in the tunnel After
awhile, when my anger had somewhat sub
sided, / thought more pitifully of the man
whose clothes | wore. Poor wretch, with
out doubt he had had a hard time of it..
What wonder that he had seized upon the
first opportunity to escape! He had said
that the favor he required would entail
personal inconvenience on myself, and that
was exactly what it did.
| looked at the matter from all sides.
saw the dilemma | was in 1t would not
do to be seen in this branded garb The
police would lay hands on me at once.
Nothing would persuade them that was
not the convict. Indeed who was likely
to believe the improbable story / had to
tell? | felt that | could expect few to
credit it on my mere word, and | had moth
ing to prove my identity, for | remembered
now that my pocketbook and letters were
in my coat. | had never given them a
thought when making the exchange OF
clothes. so as things We're it might take
some days for me to establish my real per-
sonality, and even when that were done
should still be responsible for conniving at
the prisoners escape.
All things considered, therefore, | re-
solved not to get into the hands of the po-
lice. But this was no easy matter. There
was nothing for it but to walk. | could
not face the publicity of railway travelling
or of any other conveyance. Indeed it was
impossible for me to buy food for myself.
had many narrow escapes from detec-
ton, but by dipt of hiding through the day
and walking at night, and now and then
bribing II small child to buy me something
to eat, contrived to get slowly on my way.
1t was on the evening of the third day that
! reached home. | often thought, some
what bitterly, of my short cut through the
tunnel and all the delay it had causedl
When actually stood outside the little
cottage which | called home and looked up
at the windows, the hope that had buoyed
me up for so long deserted me, and dread
ed to enter. AT last, however, opened the
gate and walked up the garden. There
was a light in the small sitting room. The
curtains were not drawn, and | could see
my sister Kitty seated by the table. She
had evidently been weeping bitterly, and
as she raised her face there was an expires
sion of such hopeless sorrow in her eye!
that my heart seemed to stop beating as
looked at her. Mary must be very i'll
PerhapS-but, no, | could not finish tn,
sentence even in thought. turned hastily
lifted the latch and went in.
kitty | said, with my hand on tn,
room door, tits /, Jacki don't be fright
ened."
She gave little scream, and it seemed
to me shrank back from me as if haC
been ghost, but the next instant sh
sprang into my arms with glad cry o
"Jack, Jack, is it really your"
''Yes, Kitty, who else should it be'"
said reassuringly. But tell mellow i
she? How is Maryp Let me hear tn