The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-07-07

pale face relieved him. She wa,
listening anxiously, and sad Will
| hurried kindness, There Is an ole
bed there. Look, while j hold tn,
light down. There Even half al
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. Here comes mother.
Very hurriedly Mrs. Westford
passed the well-filled dish and
pitcher TO him, reporting the mob
almost before the house.
Cover up, quickly, Ernestine, ]
am going 10 wake Harry"
That was her youngest son, still
sleeping soundly upstairs.
She hurried away, and Ernestine
quickly lowered the trap-door and
pushed back the bed.
Shut down In the darkness, Gilbert
groped his way to the old bed, and
sank down on il in utter exhaustion.
He heard the girls quick step, the
closing door, the louder steps directly
overhead, and slender spur OF
lamplight came down through Il
crack She was back in the kitchen
and there were stern voices in
distinctly to he heard without. Err
nestine heard them more plainly,
and stood with clasped hands and
pale face, praying silently, but oh,
so earnestly, that the innocent, If he
were innocent, might be saved, when
her young brother came rushing
downstairs just as there came thun-
dering knocks at the door.
Mrs. Westford had told him no
more than that crowd OF men with
lanterns were approaching, and it
was in perfect good faith that he flung
open the door and angrily demanded
their business. They soon satisfied
him.
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 il he had slipped into your prem
ises and hidden somewhere. Your
folks will have no objection to our
searching, ! reckonY"
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 in vain for hunted
| eA,,1c ha ,.n,Il at harn 10 rod
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
light doze, from which Mrs. West
ford 5 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
bItdh, Sbt Nbh
drive you over very soon"
II hate to let thee go, dear" her
mother said anxiously.
at is only for an hour, mother, I"
reassured the girl land we can
hardly trust Harry. He is only n
boy and SO impetuous and bitter"
Mrs. Westford sighed. 1T seems
10 hn l,t ,,-nnI ct,ral,, Eot In a r.
will not let thee suffer for doing thy
duty. Well, go. My prayers shall
go with thee. But be careful, child. I"
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
however kindly these women might
feel they were not disposed to run
any useless risks.
"Good-by, mother. Don't fret, y
was Ernestine's parting word, and
Mrs. Westford' earnest May God
protect thee" showed her uneasiness.
Yet she added kindly word to the
! DTlSOlltI, tNlltl Iit ouN thN
truth? l hope we shall see thee free
before all the world right speedily" Z"
Then they drove away in the dark
ness. Ernestne 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 whish 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 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