Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-07-26

50 earnestly, that the innocent, II he
were innocent, might be saved, when
her young brother came rushing
downstairs just as there came thun-
|; dcring knocks at the door.
! Mrs. Westford had told him no
more than that crowd of men with
lanterns were approaching, and 1T
was in perfect good faith that he flung
open the door and angrily demanded
their business. They soon satisfied
him.
1.-THE tramp that murdered your
brother is at large, and we are hunt
ing for him. We have looked all up
and down the road, for we know he
came this way. and it looks nightly
as II he had slipped into your prem
Uses and hidden somewhere. Your
folks will have no objection to our
searching, l reckon?"
Not bit. / don't think he would
stop here, but IL he did / hope you'll
catch him and hang him to the near
est 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 i'm vain for hunted
souls, or he would not have feared.
The out buildings 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 Sheriff for
letting the prisoner escape.
Silence settled on the old farm
house, and Gilbert actually fell into
"A light doze, from which Mrs. West
ford s soft call aroused him. Half
asleep, he made his way to the trap
door and was helped up. Ernestine,
in cloak and hat, stood waiting.
''Mother thinks it best that you
should be back in safety before day
break, I" she said simply can
| drive you over very SOON"
L hate to let thee go, DEAR" her
mother said anxiously.
"'It is only for an hour, mother"
treasured the girl land we can
hardly trust Harry. He is only a
boy and so impetuous and bitter"
Mrs. Westford sighed. ut seems
TO be duty-and surely our Father
will not let thee suffer for doing thy
duty. Well, go. My prayers shall
60 with thee. But be careful, child"
The light wagon and bay pony stood
at the door. The prisoner was helped
.,,kO 1xn
sprang in before. The big watch dog
followed at her call and curled up
under her seat, and Gilbert felt that
however kindly these women might
feel they were not disposed to run
any useless risks.
"Good-by, mother. Don't fret"
was Ernestine's parting word, and
Mrs. Westford's earnest May God
protect thee" showed her uneasiness.
Yet she added kindly word to the
prisoner, And may He bring out the
truth? hope we shall see thee free
before all the world right speedily"
Then they drove away in the dark
ness. Ernestine spoke little; her
heart beat too fast. She half apollo
gized for taking the dog.
'The roads would be so lonely
coming back, an apology which he
readily accepted. 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 APP
preached.
Their trip was about half done
when lanterns cleaned ahead, and
wheels and voices were heard APP
preaching. 1.-THE mob!" was his
first thought, and Ernestine whis-
pered hurriedly, Down under your
seat till they pass" then with sud-
den joyful change in tone and man
ner, ooh, it is the Sheriff Thank
heavens :"
The Sheriff it was, looking anxious
ly for his charge, but with little hope
of ever seeing him again alive. Ern-
estine turned quickly.
Your wrists, please" and the
manacles fell off. There! You
need not tell that part unless you
wish. 1t was only-but you under
stand. Mother had right to be
cautious, you know"
And then the Sheriff was hailing
them, and as much surprised as de-
lighted to find his prisoner in such
hands. The transfer was soon made,
and with kindly word of farewell,
Ernestine FASTENED back to her anx-
ious mother.
At the new trial Gilbert Hazelton
had no difficulty in proving his own
identity and was triumphantly ac-
quilted. OF all the warm handclasps
and congratulations he received, none
gave him more pleasure than those of
Mrs. Westford and her daughter.
"You must come and see u.s."
Ernestine said blushing. II know
we were not over-polite to you,
mother and /; but come again, and
you will find that we can be civil"
And he did come-not once, but
many times--and at last carried
sweet Ernestine away as his bride.
-lOverland Monthly.