New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-05
THE PRISONER.
ny OCTAVE rHASET.

Almost any one would naturally stop ana look
aver the trig fence at the farmhouse behind the
row Of Iombardy poplars and the pink azalcas'
There was a neatncss about the burrows. fat'
sleek contentmcnt about the cattle IN the pas
ture and the brook under the willows was so
pretty Nevertheless. Adam HUI would nave
hurried PASTOR he was expecting to meet MS
wife at the station two miles away-had NOT
dogs hows smote his ears. He was n tender
hearted man with animals and he stopped His
handsome, fair face darkened
"WeI. he is a mean man." he muttered III ne
Amt beating that dog gave Aggie"
Rut he reflected that the train would be due IN
half an hour, and, shutting his ears. ne hI'eu
the reins Yet he didn't go on Instead win
flushed and knitted brow. ne sprang out OF the
wagon and ran into the yard. The dog sharp
veins had trailed Off into whimpering cries. He
Law on the ground and over him STOOD a man
with q whip who. in turn. was clasped IN the
arms Of a Young woman. She thrust her slight
figure between the man and the tremohhs oeas''
"Whip us both. them she cried
.T<e, go that dog. the man said. not loudly
but with concentrated passion in his tones
II WON'T"
Then I'll make you"
"You cowardr' sobbed the woman. "Oh. you
mean. cruel coward"
The man Strengthened himself up and' as he
did So shifted his whip from one hand 10 the
other Something flashed silver white when the
right hand appeared again. "1f you don't let go
that dog and let me lick him for chasing cnicK-
ems. I'll kill him." said he.
The woman lifted her white face. 1T isn't BE-
cause he chased chickens that you want 10 XIII
him: it's because he loves me ana love HILL
You torment him to hurt me-
The man stood looking at her darkly Adam
bes,tated There were stories afioat about Ned
Bruces temper and his furious disregard Oh
consequences when in passion. IF he strikes
her I'll interfere gun or no gum. thought -'uai'''
lingering in the shadow Of the poplars
He did not strike her: he flung out his arms In
q gesture of anguish Of anger of rage dumb and
impotent; then he strobe away.
ONLY the sound Of the woman's weeping ana
her broken words of pity and caressing 10 the
dog were heard II shall have to- poor jump.
she sobbed: II can't bear TO see him abuse you So
day after day. There's where he threw the not
water on you just because you came INTO the
kitchen Poor Jump. good Jump. Oh. Jump II
won't hurt you If kill you. 1t will be me- me
that II will hurt The tears were flowing unre-
strained while the dog strove to comfort griei
he did not comprehend by wagging his tall ana
licking her face Adam Hull stepped hastily for
ward. His wife afterward told him mat ne
ought 70 have pretended to come from outside,
after a decent interval and plenty OF warning
noise; but he blundered in. choking with SYM
pathy.
Don't feel so bad. Aggie." cried he. Give me
the dog; I'll take care OF it,
The woman lifted her pretty, tear-stained face
and made pteous effort at composure. Il am
Just as silly as be-" she said. Mr. Bruce
wanted to whip him for chasing chickens. but !
can't bear to have him punished he howls so.
She rose to her feet as she spoke and arranged
her disordered dress. Very pretty she looked as
she stood there, in her thin gown with It's
crumpled roses, and her cheeks the color OF the
nrinted flowers But Adam Hull was not think
ing of her beauty. Rather ruefully he asked:
Does he chase chickens bad. Aggie?'
mo. he never chased them before to-day an
swered she. And he did not notice that her tone
had changed; II was colder and quieter. Il think
II was a mistake and just for fun to-day. for he
went around the yard with me every day and he
never bothered anything But he is just young
and playful"
81 guess he won't bother the chickens" Adam
nodded. as If treasured Hes the kind Of dog
a lady would get fond IT, don't you Think
There was note Of irresolution in his voice
masked by cheerfulness.
ooh yes" said Aggie eagerly, "she couldn't
help 1t. He knows trcks!'
Adam nodded again. Il guess you better e,
me take him home. l guess he sorter bothers
Bruce"
Bruce. sor his better convenience in thrashine
the dog had tied rope TO his collar; by thai
same rope Jump was lea away. to be FINAL,
hoisted into Adams wagon. Neither Adam mol
Mrs Bruce noticed that Bruce behind the grape
vines directed burning gaze on every motion.
Adam was now in desperate hurry ant
Agnes Bruce had no time for more than single
glance at the wistful eyes Of the hound
Thank you, ADAM" all she sad e
which Adam responded in an embarrassed way
"Oh. that's all right Aggie. Ella will drop II
some time and tell you how he gets along
Then she watching the dust and the whirl
ing wheelspokes. Very soon she returned; Their
was supper to get In the house; the burden Of he
daily life sank more heavily more hopeless
down on her shrinking shoulders
I'D Ike to steal Ned's pistol and shoot my
self" she muttered; II don't believe 1t would b
wicked-the way things are.'
She had begun 10 set the supper table. wonder
ing drearily how she could ever have been
pleased as she was over the pretty table line
and the new china. That was before wa
married" she thought. "Oh. II girls only knew.
But in general her state OF mind TO
stunned for sient wuros. crHwc
about the room and half OF instinct. repeate
every tidy usual motion in preparing the tabi
Once or twice her mind strayed DULY afte
Adam; but his presence, that had once been N
centre OF young girls romance. failed to NOV
her now He was afraid Of Ned" she though
land he was afraid his wife wouldn't like jun
He never really cared for me. ! wish never ha
seen him. Maybe then wouldn't have marie
Ned"'
Dizzily her thoughts crawled backward throuf
her husbands courtship. First It was Ada
came to see her driving out from the villag
where he kept a store. to her fathers farr
Those handsome grays that he was driving
day used to know the way TO Alfred Robbins
gate well enough 10 traverse II In the dark Oh