Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-03

~ about following out
- 49, the program laid
down for him, and
his methodical training enabled him to do
1t carefully. Laport was over fifty-five. but
he was made Of tough vital material, and
the prospect OF liberty stirred all his old
sagacity. Kent saw him for the last time
in prison on Friday morning; gave him his
additional instructions and tools, and left,
ostensibly for New York, at noon, much to
the regret of the Ixtels.
Kents provision had been unerring with
regard to Laport. but he made one or two
miscalculations about his own movements,
and as the governors special efforts were
directed to his capture, stimulated. no
doubt. by the chagrin on having been SO
successfully duped (he having learned that
his guest was unauthorized and unknown
In the New York newspaper office, one of
the best detectives in the country got upon
his track and followed him to Louisville.
KY. when the trail was a week old. From
this point he traced him into western Ten
nessee. and there the pursuit ended. Kent
had disappeared from the surface of the
earth. What is remarkable about this part
OF the hunt is that nothing occurred pub
icly to awaken the suspicion that Bench
and Kent were the same person.
Laport's escape from the prison was ef-
fected with but slight variations it had
been planned for him. and there was moth
ing in his methodical execution of the plan
but a grim and uneventful determination,
accompanied by a silent apprehension, I'M
til he arrived. arranged, at the old mill,
and there the whole character Of the pro-
ceedings changed as If by magic. and be-
gan to wear the aspect of a sixteenth CEN
tury' romance.
While yet some fifty feet away from the
mill and hidden in the BRUSH he listened
and distinctly heard female voices of mer-
riment coming from the other side His heart
sank. Some picnicking party had taken
possession of the secluded retreat and cut
of his last chance There had been no pro-
vision for this contingency in Kent's plan.
While Laport stood listening to the bursts
of laughter and subdued screams that min
gled with the voices of men in some kind of
sport, he distinctly heard some one singing
the strains of Home, Sweet Home" in a
clear soprano. 1t might be one of those
fatal condolences. for the air was one that
anybody would be apt to MARBLE. He con-
sidered a moment, and determined to take
the risk.
Working his way through the thickets he
came out on the overgrown bank where the
mill stood and went deliberately round to
the side from which the voices proceeded
He had scarcely turned the corner of the
mill before he found himself in full view Of
a party of ladies and gentlemen who had
evidently rendezvoused here for a lunch.
Their horses were tied to the neighboripg
trees; a white cloth was spread upon the
grass colored servant was opening wine.
They were elegantly dressed. and were I'M
m:stakably people of means and leisure TAX
ing an outing.
At the same moment Laport saw, pro-
truding from the grass almost at his feet,
the circular form of an old milestone and
with feeling of helplessness, he sat down
upon it,
a minute had not passed when he was
aware that some one was approaching him.
1t was a woman. She had left the group
Immediately and was standing very near
him. He looked at her with the greatest
amount of interest and suspense. She was
handsomely and jauntily dressed in Il rid
ing habit and appeared to be at least thirty
years of age. Her whole bearing was easy
but dignitied. Her handsome oval face was
expressive of determination, softened by
sensioility. She carried riding whip.
You are late, professor" she said, look
ing at her watch, land have Kept us wait
the stile?''
Yes, 1 did," answered Laport Il met a
woman in the wood road going to town
with basket, and she rega rded me sus-
piciously.'
Then We have no time to lose," said tie
woman, calmly. These people are all
friends You are to change your garments
Immediately. My servant will help Won
Explanations and further directions must
wait"
She called the negro servant and said to
MIN: NOW, then, ran, be quick as you
can We are fifteen minutes late"
IhlS way, prOfeSSah." said the Sary,pt
with a grin, as he pointed to the old mill
Laport, without further words. made a
DOW ana followed the negro into the di-
Implicated structure. Here, in one of the re-
cesses where there remained a clear space
ana a hooring. there was a hamper such
as Is used at picnics. There were one or
TWO plates and napkin conspicuous on its
strapped I'D The negro brushed them away
ana hurriedly tore open the basket. 1t was
packed tightly and carefully with a conn
plete outnt OF clothes. which the man lifted
out and spread in a pile upon a clean news
paper. Laport was watching him with
curious interest.
Excuse me. sah," said the servant you
ain got no time. You got to git dem buds
OF lively Use goin to dress you. Take
EN- on-take EN- OFF, Sc got to put EN-
IN dis yere wicker works"
Thus recalled TO the urgency of the mo-
ment Laport began at once to divest him
self of the disguise he wore. AS fast as ne
rSheved himself of his clothing the negro
placed it III the hamper. and when it was
Iull ne excused himself and carried il away
ne was not gone more than five min
Ctes, and when he came back he was
empty handed. What he did with il Ia
POrt never knew. But even then he had
an instructive feeling that its complete de-
structlon or eIectual hiding had been pro-
yided fo-.
Fan then proceeded to dress him in the
most expeditions. but at the same time the
most scrupulOus, manner. In spite Of TIE
nervous anxiety of LGport, he could rot
Eeip wondering at the systematic provision
thaL mad been made for a thorough ard
complete change of appearance The linen.
Guns, collar, studs, sleeve buttons finger
ri'iS' watch chain, had not been forgotten
&c vas Quickly dressed in handsome suit
Of gray tweed, an immaculate vest and n
tine soft black hat with broad brim He
vas shaved with marvellous dexterity. fit