The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1894-04-19

between the lovers was warm but BRIEF,
for minutes were precious, and there
was much to be done.
1--WE must make our start at once"
said jefferson Hope, speaking In n low
but resolute voice, like one who
realizes the greatness of the peril, but
has steclcd his heart to- meet IT, THE
front and back entrances are watched,
but with caution we may get away
through the side window and across
the fields. Once on the road, we are
only two miles from the ravine where
the horses are waiting. by daybreak
we should be half way through the
mountains"
What IL we are stoppedP" asked
Ferrier
Hope slapped the revolver butt which
protruded from the front Of his tunic.
"If they are too many for us we shall
take two or three of them with u.s." he
said with n sinister smile.
The lights inside the house had all
been extinguished. and from the dark
ened window Fcrrier peered over the
fields which had been his own, and
which he was now about to aban-
don forever. He had long nerved him
self To the sacrifice, however, and the
thought of the honor and happiness
of his daughter outweighcd any regret
at his ruined fortunes. All looked so
peaceful and happy, the rustling trees
and the broad. silent stretch of grain
land, that il was difficult to realize
that the spirit of murder lurlIed
through IL all. Yet the white face and
set expression of the young hunter
showed that in his approach TO the
house he had seen enough to satisfy
him upon that head.
Ferrier carried the bag of gold and
notes, Jefferson Hope had the scanty
provisions and water, while Lucy had
the small bundle containing few of
her more valued possessions. Opening
the window very slowly and carefully,
they waited until dark cloud had
somewhat obscured the night, and
then one by one passed through into
the little garden. With bated breath
and crouching figures they stumbled
across IL and gained the shelter of the
hedge. which they skirted until they
came to the gap which opened into the
cornfcld. They had just reached this
point when the young man seized his
two companions and dragged them
down into the shadow, where they lay
silent and trembling.
II was as we'll that his prairie train.
ing had given jefferson Hope the ears
of n lynx. He and his friends had
hardly crouched down before the mel
anchoiy hooting of a mountain owl
was heard within few yards of them,
which was Immediately answered by
another boot at small distance. At
the same moment II vague, shadowy
figure emerged from the gap for which
they had been making, and uttered the
plaintive signal cry again, on which a
second man appeared out of the OBJ
security.
Tomorrow at midnight" said the
first, who appeared To be in authority.
when the whippoorwill calls three
times"
1T is we'll" returned, the other.
"Shall tell Brother Drebbcr?"
Pass IL on to him, and from him To
the others. Nine to sevcnm
Seven to five!" repeated the other.
and the two figures fitted away in
different directions. Their concluding
words had evidently been some form of
sign and countersign. The instant
that their footsteps had died away in
the distance, jefferson Hope sprang to
his feet and, helping his companions
through the gap, led the way across
the fields at full speed, supporting and
half-carrying the girl when her
strength appeared to fail her.
Hurry on! hurry oni" he gasped
from time To time. I'VE are through
the line of scntinela Everything de
ponds on speed Hurry on!'
Once on the high-road they made
rapid progress. Only once did they
meet anyone, and then they managed to
slip into field and SO avoid recogni.
ton. Before reaching the town the
hunter branchcd away into n rugged
and narrow footpath which led to the
mountains. Two dark, Jagged peaks
loomed above them through the dark.
ness, and the detile which led between
them was the Eagle canyon in which
the horses were awaiting them. With
unerring instinct jefferson Hope
picked his way among the great
oowldersa and along the bed of dried.
up water-course, until he came To the
retired corner, screeaed with rocks.
where the faithful animals had been
picketed. The girl was placed upon
the mule, and old Terrier upon one of
the horses, with his moncy-bag, while
Jefferson Hope led the other along the
precipitous and dangerous paths.
tTo DE Continued
IL liemihdsd Her.