Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-05-07


ment to lose. Come !"
He caught at the words instantly,
though only murmured, and it was as
if new spirit possessed him. He
took her by the hand, and, half-run-
ming, they glided along till they
reached a group of trees about a mile
away. There they stopped.
For long while neither spoke. The
drowsy hush of the perfect summer
day brooded in this secluded spot, un-
disturbed by movement of sound of
any kind. On the trees the sunlight
hickered, fed and returned again,
playing fantastic tricks among the
leaves. Above stretched the serene
and cloudless sky.
'f l had only that one man to
reckon with, said Edward, at last, "I
should not care. But there may be
Others as well, and if the worst befall
me, he has the law at his back to ex-
cuse and condone him."
''You are not in his power yet, nor
need you be if you are prudent 1
heard that strange men were seen in
the neighborhood, but understood
they were some distance away. Let
me go back to the village alone, dear,
and ascertain the truth"
Her face was composed; her express
sion had recovered its natural charm
while she spoke to him. All at once
she wheeled round with stihed cry,
painting like hunted hare. Thre men
were hurrying across the open space
behind to cut off their retreat, and in
the foremost of these Edward recog-
nized his enemy.
His eyes flashed. eve must run
for it, sweet" he muttered between
his clenched teeth, and he clasped her
round the waist.
They were out of the glade and into
the open without drawing breath. The
sun was level overhead, and its bright.
ness almost blinded them as they
emerged in its full radiance. Never
pausing an instant to glance back, they
sped away. The ground was rough
| and uneven; hard task, in sooth, we're
it to run fast in such place. And it
seemed to them as if they were fleeing
for their lives.
Fortunately, they had gained a few
yards in starting, for Lucy's cry of
alarm the men paused in doubt, and
before they co2sd the two were well
ahead of them; Edward drawing her
along and encouraging her to do her
best.
But the sailors hesitation did not
% h
work, and in minute more were in
hot pursuit. Had Edward been alone,
he would soon have distsnced them,
there being but one of the number
whose swiftness need have caused him
any uneasiness as to the result. This
man quickly shot out in advance OF
the other two-a lean, 1.-the figure
and the thud of his footsteps sounded
perilously near.
Soon that one runner was scarce q
dozen strides off, and slowly, but
surely, gaining on them still. Ed.
ward groaned.
Though almost breathless by this
time, Lucy heard him. "Save your
self and leave me, she said.
lhuSHtu NJ but buS
gestion-a laugh so fierce and despair
ing that, as the swift pursuer heard it
ringing in the air, he had a misgiving,
| and slackened his pace to let his com.
rades oyertake him. Crafty as well
as bold, he saw the folly of leaving
them too far behind in an emergency.
But even this assisted Edward moth
L.
He still held her round the waist, and
bore her on some distance, but the
strain was too great no man 80 laden
could run far.
She looked up pityingly into his
face. Edward stopped, and, careless
of all risks, spoke words of comfort to
her, but Lucy only sobbed and held
him tight.
The other man stopped also, and
was signalling to the laggers to make
haste. Seeing the quarry at bay, he
could afford to take his time, and was
disinclined to incur any unnecessary
danger.
Edward ragged inwardly to think
that he was powerless and the precious
minutes we're flying fast, never to be
recalled
'If 1 could only see way out of
this" he said.
"Ah, ifi' echoed Lucy.
A change came over his face.
''Listen, DEAR" he said. 81 doubt
the power of those men to capture me
if l were alone and uninjured; but /
have you to protect, for they might
insult you on my account We are
nearing the hill again; let us try to
ascend it, and take refuge in the
windmill. Who knows what may
happen after?"
Meanwhile the other two had come
up with the comrade who had headed
them, when, just as the trio were in
peep consultation, the fugitives
started the race anew. 1t was their
last effort.
A fierce shout escaped the astonished
watchers as they dashed headlong
after the prey The shout ceased
abruptly, for Lucy and her lover had
suddenly vanished.
"Down the vale !" called the leader,