The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-01

have no fear from thy Violence when the
and when the search is over send thee
back to thy lawful guardian. That is all.
/ cannot place myself and my daughter at
the mercy of one who may have none
Will thee CONSENT"
She was only prudent Gilbert bowed ST.
lenty and extended his hands 1t was his
only chance for life, and 1t would be the
height of folly to object. Yet faint color
came into his face as the cold steel snapped
on ms wrists, rendering MIN helpless-yet
scarcely more so than fatigue had already
made him.
The hesitation of both was over now.
ErneStlne babe him remove his muddy
shoes. while she swiftly closed the door
and drew down the blinds and the mother
hurried into another room. Thither Ernes-
tine me sb him to follow Of Pausng only
AT the door she turned 1T is David's
ROOM looking keenly into his face
Did she think he would draw back? Guilt
itself would hardly have done that now,
with the purSuerS
III David can see, / know he is willing"
Gilbert answered quietly.
1t was small. plainly furnished room.
the wall and thrown back the last breadth
of carpet. revealing a tiny trap-door At
his entrance she opened it, and motioned
him down.
1T is only four feet. You can drop that
far said Ernestine encouragingly There
is no outer door. You will be quite safe
frightened fugitives have slept' there in
safety! But that was years agoNbefore
the war. Thee need not fear. Now-but
food and drink
She hurried away, and he swung him
self down. 1t was not very easy with his
manacled hands, and Ernestine helped
him. His heart thrilled at touch of her
cold, trembling fingers.
She shrinks from my touch. She thinks
my hands stained with her brothers
blood, he thought bitterly.
But another glance at the pure. pale
anxiously. and said with hurried kindness:
There is an old bed down there Look.
while / hold the light down. There! Even
half an hours rest will help you. But you
must eat and rest in the dark for this
| cellar extends under the kitchen which
Is carpetless, and has cracks in the floor.
Very hurriedly Mrs Westford passed the
| well-filled dish and pitcher to him. report
| ing the mob almost before the house
Cover up, quickly, Ernestine. / am 60
| ing TO wake Harry"
| That was her youngest son. still Sleep
ing soundly upstairs.
She hurried away. and Ernestine quickly
| lowered the trap-door and pushed back the
bed. 80
| CROPPED his way to the old bed. and sank
down on IT in utter exhaustion. He could
do no more. he it life or death. He heard
| the girls quick steps. the closing door
the louder steps. directly overhead, and
slender spur of lamplight came down
| thh through crack She was back in the
| distinctly to be heard without Ernestine
| heard them more plainly, and stood with
| lently. but OH so earnestly, that the in
nocent, If he were innocent might be
saved; save when her young brother came rush
numbering knock at the door.
Mrs. Westford had told him no more
| were approaching. and it was in perfect
good faith that he flung open the door
and angrily demanded their business. They
/
| The tramp that murdered your brother
Is at large and we are hunting for him.
| for we know he came this way, and il
looks nightly NIGHTLY as if he had slipped into
Your folks will have no objection to our
| searching, | reckon?Y
Not bit 1 don't think he would stop
| mere; but If he did ] hope you'll catch him
| and hang him to the nearest tree" the
| boy answered fiercely.
The fugitive. plainly hearing every word,
| shuddered, but he had no idea how many
| times that old house had been searched in
| VAIN for hunted souls. or he would not
nave nave feared. Harry knew the secret of the
| long unused cellar. but never dreamed that
| MS mother and sister could know anything
of the hunted tramp-murderer and so had
| no idea that he could be in the house So
| the outbuildings and premises were
| thoroughly searched, while Ernestine and
| her mother looked on with pale quiet faces
| and wildly beating hearts, and the fugitive
| lay and listened in the darkness. Then the
men rode on, grumbling and cursing the
| Harry fretted a little never guessing that
| his every word reached the ear of the man
whom he would willingly have surrendered
| bed.
Silence settled on the old farmhouse, and
| Gilbert actually fell into a light doze from
which Mrs. Westfords soft call aroused
| him. Half asleep he made his way to the
t trap p,o door and was helped up Ernestine,
| Mother thinks Ii best that you should
| be back in safety before daybreak,'' she
said simply. Il can drive you over very
Il hate to let thee go, dear" her mother
1T is only for an hour, mother" reas-
sured the girl: " and we can hardly trust
petuous and bitter
| Mrs. WeStford sighed ut seems to be
| a duty-and surely our Father will not let
| thee suffer for doing thy duty. Well, go.
My prayers shall go with thee. But be
| The light wagon and bay pony stood at
the door. The prisoner was helped into the
| back seat and Ernestine sprang in before.
The big watch dog followed at her call and
curled up under her seat, and Gilbert felt
that that however kindly these women might
| useless risks
Goodbye; mother Don't fret" was Err
| fOrd's earnest may God protect thee
showed her uneasiness. Yet she added a
Kindly Kindly word to the prisoner, And may He
tnee free before all the world right speedi-
| ly"
Then they drove away in the darkness
| ErneStine spoke little; her heart beat too
| fast. She half apologized for taking the
| dog.
| The roads would seem so lonely coming
| back, apology which he readily accept
| ed. Could he resent her prudence when she
| had given him his life? But he could not
| help being intensely thankful that the dog
| had been asleep in the barn when he ap-
| preached
Their trip was about half done when la.l-
| terms CLEANED ahead. and wheels and
! voices We're heard approaching. The mob "
was his first thought, and Ernestine wills
! pered hurriedly, Down under your seat
| till they pass. Then with sudden joyful
| change in tone and manner, ''Oh, il is the
| sheriff. Thank heavens
| The sheriff it was, looking anxiously for
| his charge, but with little hope of ever see
ing him again alive. Ernestine turned
| quickly
Your wrists. please" and the manacles
| fell off. There. You need tell that
part unless you wish. 1t was only-but you
understand. Mother had a right to be
cautious. you know"
And then the sheriff was hailing them
and as much surprised as delighted to find
his prisoner in such hands. The transfer
was soon made and with a kindly word of
farewell Ernestine fastened back to her
anxious mother.
At the new trial Gilbert Hazeton had no
difficulty in proving his own identity, and
was triumphantly acquitted. OF all the