The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-07-31
Our fnnilp 5torp.
A LAST RESORT.

sTsa;ps lust emerging into o
'sn.naeId fpom still darker woods,
ND man. his clothing d~renched
mud-stained, his face haggard ana
,,arate. and his whole attitude, as
leaned heavily against h q ]
20 telling OF utter exhaustion: he
wornout. For moro than Two hours
he had been flying for life over g a
icy imperfectly known TO hiIn' 'housh
farniliar to his pursuers.
More than once he q peen COM
pelled to retrace his steps when every
was precious, ana step
tbroupI the yielding mud required an
eiyort. Worse yet, there was no
Of throwing the OH
the trail. ,
Every stop loft its plain impression,
tn he followed as fast as morse 'couiu
trot. and capture meant sure ana s"iiV
death-no wonder he was desperate
Turn which way he would, Glipert
uazelton could sec nothing before nun
but speedy and disgraceiIl deatn:
Never to see the sun 5sgain, u NOV
even a friendly face
w this the end OF prlght
withS oh he had kissed ms monno5
goodbye only two short monSns ue, nn1
1t seemed like Il PARKWAY dream now.
He had lived ages Of fear and agony
since then, gone through unspeakaoie
huaiiation and dread.
yfor his life, found guilty, ana
.shced to death. His letter to his
friends must have miscarrled lor they
had not come to his relief.
Poor and alone among strangers,
who persisted in believing him ldentl,
cal with the tramp who had
poor David Westford, Gilbert a yet
fought bravely for his Life. some lew
had been convinced OF his lnnocehce,
and his lawyer had succeeded In Cd.
tanning q new trial, IN whlch nov
witnesses might at least prove an amp.
Rut when this word vent abroad, tho
towns-peoplo wore furious. They had
seen moro than one %undoubted criminal
escape through some te~chnlcailoy
We're they now to sec the murder Oh
poor David Westford escape through
the easily bought perjury o. s0ne
worthless companions In crime! IheS
vowed ittshould not be.
Last night ctdusk groups OF stern
locking fifeb stood before the JILL talk
ing grimly together, and a whisper II
the air warned the sheriff what wa
coming.
not defend it, and his resolve wa
quickly taken.
sent out by q side door, under charg
of the sheriff's son, while the sherl1
himself remained to make sure mo
violence did not make q mistake an
seize some other victim. But treacf
ery carried the word to the mob, an
they weres soon in hot pursuit OF tll
fugitives. Il
In this emergency the boy, who WI
irmly convinced of the prisoners |
nocence, released'him, demanding on
q promise to rejoin him at o place al
pointed, and himself turned back
throw the pursuers off the trail II pr,
sible. Gilbert fully intended to kel
his promise. but in the darkness
missed his way, and 6loodhoun,
in the rear caught his trail:
Now for two hours, which seem
two e~ternities, he had been runnl
for life, and the unknown count
and horrible mud had complete
exhausted the llttle strength that tt
months Of confinement and terri
anxiety had left him.
Nothing but utter desperation COZ
have driven him another rod. III
when a shout came family from Il
rear he pushed forward with II grti
effort across the strip of corntie;
through the fence, and out on q We
travelled road.
TO one less utterly worn OUT, T.,
would have given a glimmer OF hoi
for here at least the mud had becol'
liquid ooze, which. retained no 10
print. j
The pursuers would not know viii
way to turn, and must watch bt.
~roadsides to see that he did not til
aside. But he was too tired tc use 4
advantage, and when, after running
few rods, he slipped and fell, he J
there q full minute too utterly 4
hausted to rise. !
What was tho use, when his utm-
endeavors could only put OF death
a few moments? Why not take q
moment for rest and thought beft
the end? J
A farmhouse stood u quarter OF
mile farther on, and, as he lay ths
painting, exhausted, waiting only
death to overtake him. his hOpel,
chances fell upon its light.
How placid and peaceful looked I
lamp, shining seventy through 1
parted curtains Doubtless II hap
family were sitting around it, fatll
and mother, sturdy sons and pref
daughters, laughing and talking, d
Aever dreaming Of the dark TRACE
enacting so near.
Would they care If they did knot
Would they come to his aid if sol
instinct should tell them? And til
he suddenly scrambled to his feet,
solving to make one last effort for !
life. He would struggle on to /
farmhouse. and appeal to tho gu
family circle. They might give ii
concealment. 1t was but death if
failed, and it would be no less if
did not try.
1t took all the strength this Il
faint hope gave him to carry him
the gate and up the cinder wa,
whose hard, dark surface would betG
no fOotstep. Yet, his heart failedB
he reached the door, and leanE
utterly exhausted, against the do
post. /
"If 1 only knew there were wont
inside A woman would be mercif
But 1T may be some stern old farmb
who will only order me off, and set t
The window was but q step avn
He crept to it and looked between h
curtains. A plain, neat farmhob
Kitchen, and two women, evidenE
mother and daughter, sitting by I
table before the fire, the mother st
ing, the daughter reading aloud. X
one else in sight, yet Gilbert gaYf
ssnothered gasp, and fell back in d.
David Westford's mother
sister! That settles it " h
He had seer both faces at the tria
the elder, sad and patient underE
silyery hair the Younger, pure pA