Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-25

Flight was all that remained. AS
she clasped once more her darling to
her breast, she hurriedly hid away
the CHASTITY treasure-trove, and strove
to calm her beating heart and tremb-
Ling limbs, while she planned immedi-
ate flight.
CHAPTER XVI.
FLIGHT.
She never felt the ground over which
her feet sped swiftly once more to the
terrible dwelling --only once, then to
leave it for ever! Where to flee, enter
ed not into her mind-only to be
away, away, from sight and hearing
of the fearful man she called husband
from the touch of the murderous
hand which had deprived her beloved
of his life.
Away from the shelter of his detest-
ed roof, which might yet cover she
knew not what silent witnesses to his
guilt.
Away, and with her child, for ever,
from the atmosphere Of bloodshed and
treachery they had unconsciously
breathed-away, too, from the horrl-
BILE temptation which she felt would
assail her.
eI could not see him again! Icould
not hear him speak, but | should tax
him with itp' she cried.
eff he denied it, if he confesses it! all
one! Father of mercies, save me from
the commission of a like crime! save
me from murder, too! If he but laid
hand upon me---Hush, child,
hush!"
Poor Ida, terrified at her mother
mood, was supplicating to be set
down, saying she could run.
"You can't Ida! you can't, my child!
quick, I must be quick-if he should
be there before us-oh God, help mel"
1t was yet early, when, painting and
exhausted, she reached the house.
All was as she had left it. Meghorn
was still absent, but she knew that
any moment he might return.
Her stock ofmoney was small indeed;
she hastily secured this in her bosom,
put on over her ordinary dress a dark
stuff gown OF her first stock, and
clothed the child warmly. She would
have urged her to eat, but the poor
little girl had not ceased to tremble,
and, though she dared not give utter
ances to her fear, she now crouched in
subdued terror on the bed, watching
the hurried movements of her parent.
"I can't, mother! | can't" she re-
piled, and put from her the food.
"But we are going away! quick, Ida,
and we must walk all night-you will
be hungry
The obedient child made the effort,
but her parent saw it's inutility, and,
pitying her, refrained to press her
more.
All was ready; with an excusable
deception, she smoothed the chests
and drawers, placed ordinary dresses
and work, as if but quilted for a brief
absence, set the supper and the grog
to hand, that her husband might, on
his return, be led to dispose of some
time before he would even seek her.
There was no moon, but the stars
we're shining brightly in cloudless
sky.
Shepaused as she drew to the door,
and listened. All was still; the sub
dued plash of the waves upon the
beach came family from below.
She had quilted the house by the
back door opening upon the waste, q
stream of light fell brightly across it
to some distance from a lamp she had
placed in the upper chamber, SO that
Saul, seeing it as he entered, might be-
lieve that she had retired for the
night, and thus be lulled to security.
Swiftly across the barren ground,
she entered upon the wide downs,
where. setting little Ida upon her feet,
she briefly urged upon her the neces-
sity of all speed; and taking her by the
hand, they proceeded at a swift pace.
The stars gave little light, and be-
meath the deep swells of the undulat-
ing plain they ran little risk of being
seen, even had any been abroad to
watch them.
Time was indeed precio us, and the
child's pace was SO slow. One mo-
ment it seemed SO hopeless. Nelly was
almost on the point Of turning back,
but as she asked herself-to face
what? even the forlorn hope of escape
became precious, and she hurried for
ward.
But, alas! the poor little girl began
to cry, and hung heavy upon the hand
of her mother.
Nelly had thought it best to let her
walk now-by-and-by, she would
sleep; yet still they must be moving.
She stopped to take her in her arms,
Singing the bundle she carried to her
waist; she had lifted her up, and, in a
cheering tone, had begun to comfort
her, when voices fell upon her ear.
She stood still, and her breath STOP
ped; they came nearer, and, from the
wood she was approaching, two tall
figures emerged, and came across the
downs towards them.
The taller one was speaking, and
she recognized the voice of Saul Meg
horn.
It was well fright deprived her Of the
power to cry out.
With one effort at MISREPRESENTATION,
she sprang aside, and crouched be-
meath the slight elevation of the plain,
unconscious even which course they
might take. AS she did so, her bundle,
Unsecured, gave way, slipped, and fell !,