The record-union., 1895-05-25
whole country was once more throw
into state of terror

was momentariiy frightened. Ny first
chought was of Biddy. Why had been
SO foolish as to allow her to go out to-
day.
81 can't stay here alone, jack" wall
pathetically. 81 really can't. Do let me
go down town with you," I implored
pleadingly, but Jack shakes his head
direction and see that a steady down.
pour has set In which gives no promises
OF letting up that afternoon.
1t would be sheer madness to 60 out
such day as this. Dido" says Jack
pushing his chair from the table. "Be a
brave little woman and pll come home
early. lake my word for it, Dash isn't
going to hang around this city where he
is SO we'll known. He'll make for the
woods the first thing. where he can be in
hiding and await q favorable opportunity
OF leaving the country"
Ihls explanation seemed so plausible
tlat IL Gained my rising fears, and after
Jacks departure [ once more donned the
big check apron and speedily forgot all
about Dash and everything else as L
poured over the gradually unfolding mys-
terles OF cook book. Fully imbued
with the idea that Jack shall have an ex-
ira hne dinner l set myself at my allot-
ted task industriously
All at once there is knock at the
kitchen door, which is SO sudden and un-
expected, that involuntarily jump and
almost drop what | have in my hand.
Presently 1t comes again-a quick, impa-
tient tap, tap, which is not long nor loud,
but evidently very urgent. l look from
the window and see man standing in
the rain. de is small man, but l can
not see his face for his hat, from which
little streams and rivulets of water are
running, is pulled we'll down over his
eyes. He wears no outside garment, but
his coat collar is pulled up to his ears
one hand is thrust deep in the pocket of
his trousers, while the other, which is
blue and cold looking, is raised in the act
OF knocking at the door again. l forget
my fears and open the door to admit the
poor. frozen looking man. He enters
hastily, casting furtive glances around as
he does SO. l motion him to seat near
the tire. which he accepts, murmuring q
few words of thanks. and while L busy
myself getting him something to eat, of
which he seems sadly in need, he takes
oil his hat and shakes the water from it,
and then holds it before the fire to dry.
He eats rayenously the meal l place be-
fore him, but always with the same
watchful, expectant air; that he is not an
ordinary tramp feel positive.
l watch him from the corner of my
X
the dinner. 1t is my first experience at
entertaining one of the genus homo
called tramp, and in spite of the blood
curdling stories l have heard to the con-
trary, it is not going to prove very form
liable task, especially as my tramp is so
very drepched and very dilapidated look
ing, Suddenly there is heard the tramp
of horses hoofs in the distance coming
nearer and nearer. In an instant the
10 l1re. Il l..
and fork into his plate with a crash. An
ugly scowl overspreads his face while he
puts his hand threatingly in his pocket.
As he does SO the whole truth flashes
over me. This man is no less a person
age than Dash. the noted criminal him.
self, that | have been entertaining una
wares. ana the mon coming post haste up
the zigzag are evidently in pursuit of
him. 1 see that the man is armed and
desperate, ana that unless something
is done quickly a bloody battle will
ensue. and that perhaps. more than one
of the men will be killed. With all of
woman's shrinking from violence and
death, l speak to the man who now
crouches near the window watching the
approaching horsemen.
II know who you are," say, endeav-
oring TO keep my voice from trembling
with fright You are" but l get no
further, for the man, leaping to his feet,
glaring at me with wide. hollow eyes, in
whose depths lay such hunted look
that even were SO inclined, l could not
have the heart to deliver him over to the
men who were now almost upon the
house.
"You will not give me up?" he said
pleadingly. You will not tell them
who am and that I am here?"
NO." L reply promptly. II will not.
l am not man-hunting yet. if these others
are. Hurry. Come with me and Pill
hide YOU" So saying lead the way
across the kitchen to the upper part of
the house. l point silently to the ladder
which leads to the garret. $50 up
quickly" | say, land stay there till I
come for YOU"
l watch him climb rapidly up the lad
der and disappear in the narrow opening.
l climb up after him and latch the door,
then go down stairs with all speed, for /
hear loud ring at the front door bell
which echoes and re-echoes through the
house.
/ am horribly frightened, for 1 know
that the hour is at hand when l will need
all the self-possession that [ am capable
of calling up, if [ wish to save the un-
happy wretch upstairs. / do not pretend
to palliate his crimes, but l am q woman,
and L feel intuitively that ii give this
man up terrible and violent trouble will
ensue. Another ring breaks upon the
silence and l go to the door. About half
dozen horsemen are lined up before the
house. The rain is pouring from their
drenched garments. and their horses are
painting from overriding. A tall military
man in blue coat salutes me respectfully
as | open the door.
Madam, we are looking for an es-
capped convict" he calls out. and then he
gives description OF the man l have at
this moment concealed in my garrett. l
shake my head when he asks if L have
seen anything OF him, and wonder if they
can see from where they sit how very
much L am trembling. l stand and
watch them ride slowly down the zigzag
and disappear over the brow of the hill.
Then GO into the house, the door slam
ming after me from the force of the wind.
l look in the glass on my way upstairs and
almost start at the white face which Is re-
fiected back at me. Slowly l ascend the
ladder. I AM beginning to feel very weak,
and oh! how [ wish Jack were here; but
up, and opening the trap door l call out,
~ ou can come down now. / have sent
them away"
| hear faint rustling in far away
corner. Presently frowsy head and a
pair OF great eyes look at me. Then the
man gets up slowly and follows me down
the ladder and into the kitchen once
more Here / give him some food done
up in paper, thrust some money into his
hand, open the door and almost push him
into the rain and storm, in the midst of
his prolestations of gratitude; aud then.
womanlike, after it is all over. l collapse
utterly and sink into chair limp, white
and shivering.
How long | sat there / do not know. 1
do not even hear Jack as he opens the
front door with his latch key. and am
only aroused by hearing his CHEEKY voice
scream hysterically and throw myself,
weeping wildly, into his all-protecting
arms, where [ cry to my hearts content