Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-12-01

done mach. 'Tis little sleep has crossed
nv eyel,ds-but now, think have we'll
earned rest, as you shall soon see. may
not say moro row. The magis rates are
even in Ipswich now. They will soon be
here, for ] took an oath yesterday would
rot sleep till had made an end of this
matter. But there are many things to do,
and much l do no! understand. Tell me
truly, what means tho story Ezra told Of
Willis Hill?"
1That shall be explained in good time,
father" sAid' Janet, quickly; have no
concern"
$50 have your word, I ask no more.
What Think the spiteful tile of tn 1t
lying creature lodges in my ears!" John
Lee looked at his dau1hter proudly. Il
need have no fear for you, at least. 1t is
we'll. Now will return TO our friends,
who, he sure, are not idle. "Tis our pur-
pose to bring the magistrates here-be
prepared for them at any time, lest my
rot find my proof on the instant and be
detained. Keep up heart.
IL embraced them again as he spoke.
AMI hsstened away.
Did l not say we would hear goot
news soon?" said Janet, when trey were
dlDuc, UUb DOIOtuct LI0 ~ WIN DN"OU
head, and made no answer
Another footstep approached, and Ar
thur Proctor entered. He gazed upon
Janet with undiSguised adm ration.
"Were it not for the terrible danger, |
could welcome the experience that proves
to all the world your courage and self
possession. come on,e more to cheer
you.
what say they in Salem, now? Do
they believe Ann Bgger's tales, and
Ezra's?" Janet asked. DO they think
that we murdered NJ artin Lee now"
There are some who believe it; but,
since you speak Of that poor wretch,
Ezra am unable TO unravel the my S.
terry. am pelplexed. 1t lies between
you and Ezra. He could not have met
both of you on Wills Hill?"
"Wai ever mortals as sorelv pressed?"
said Dorothea, suddenly.
Did not my father say relief would
come to US speedily, mother-bear up"
Il am not sure. Time passes swiftly,
child"
"Aye-tis time that makes me fearful, )"
said Proctor IF l could be sure which
of you was at Wills Hill, it would help
us 10 clear much aw,y."
1T is best we tell the truth. said Doro-
thea. "Pro tor must be told the truth
al out Martin Lee at once"
And br ng him in reril, mother" Janet
exclaimed. IF we had time" then she
paused suddenly.
Then of truth Martin is not dead.
Whit is this mysteryP Though | have
conversed with John Lee every day save
Yesterday, never have l heard him say
aught of his brother. True, he has been
bent on many things. While be was here,
1 was there. We've had barely time to
cheer each other, and counsel, and plan.
We know very we'll"
"'His best to tell him the truth, Janet" |"
again said DorOthea
mo, mol" l will not tell even Proctor"
Janet answered. Then, in changed
tone she said: "We are cruelty beset. We
dare not tell the truth"
Dare not?" Proctor echoed. Now,
then, know It's not on your own account.
All Salem knows you two have tried TO
save each other Now, you are concerned
for your uncle. Trust me; l will not be-
tray you. Or, at least, tonfde in your
father, or it may be too late. What is
this my. terry that has given the appren-
tice warrant to wag his tongue?"
Il will tell thee, said Dorot en-. Janet
and me carried food and drink 10 Martin
to keep him from starving, but neither of
us took counsel of the other, or knew the
other was serving him. We feared lest
the other would incur suspicion.
And tis for this sublime devo-
ton to each other, and Martin Lee, thou
art herel" said Proctor, reverently. Il
see the way clearer in the last minute. /
will return 10 Governor Danforth 1t once. "
And bring Martin Lee to the gallows."
Janets tone conveyed rebuke and re-
proach.
mo, no. L said 1 would not betray
your confidence. l will Say nothing Of
this to Justice Danforth until take coun-
sci with John Lee But" Proctor ad led
in sheer desperation, Il have not had op-
portunity 10 see John Lee since the day
he went to his sisters, and fully expect
ed to meet him ere this in Salem.
"Then you are sure soon to meet him,
for he was here within this hour, said
Janet, calmly, "and brought good news.
He bade us keep up heart, and sud he
wolld find way to make an end Of it
this very day"
And tha' be the case"-Proctor looked
at them, rejecting why, l, too, believe
matters must come to head sooner than
1 had thought. Said he aught of Maltin
Lee? You surely"
my father knows even less of our
errand to Wills Hill than you have
learned" Janet interrupted. Tis in
thy keeping wholly"
Whereupon Proctor's face c,ouded, but
it cleared up on the instant as he reptile l.:
Il am losing time. must find John
Lee; at least | must be doing, since the
judges, l know, are here in Ipswich.
So saying, he passed out and once
more mother and daughter were left
alone. They were to be subjected to a
trial, for soon another visitor appeared in
The person of Giles Ellis. When he stood
before them neither spoke.
Il did not expect warm welcome.
Bearers of evil tidings are never well
come.
what greater evil can befall us than to
endure your presence in Ipwich jail?" said
Janet Lee.
AYE, there be worse. The gallows is
worse"
Surely they have not rendered judg-
men:2" Dorothea stood before him with
questioning eyes.
Judgment cannot be long deferred,
they have found Marin Lee"
May heaven preserve him. said Janet,
quickly.
If they have found Martin then they
cannot say we murdered him.
So. then, you do not know Martin is
de I'd AMI buried?"
"Deadl"
Dorothea Lee sat down with hand
over her he 'rt: Janet caught Giles arm.
"'Tis fal,e I'll not believe it.
at matters not, so long as he is really
aad oDd huri al