The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-16

of winter which blew across the water
| Two figures could easily have been
seen in the smooth path that ran along
the dyke top, but here they were shell
tered and the silent guide took slower
pace as they passed some thickets of
osiers. Once she stopped and motioned
to him and crept up the dyke side.
Weymouth followed. and they saw that
they were nearly abreast of the fishing
smack or smuggler If such. she were.
There was a boat just leaving her, a
lantern was held for an instant over
the side and then was hidden again.
Weymouth looked back at the house on
the height; they were now perhaps half
a mile away. There were no lights in
the windows, even in that which he
had left, but by this time the wretched
guttering candle would have melted
and sucked itself into extinction. With
out a word they both stepped back to
the path again, and ran OH until the
leader turned from the dyke across Il
wide ditch which was bridged by some
unsteady planks. The meadow was wet
under foot. they lost and found again a
narrow causeway that led among the
upland fields and presently stopped to
take breath beside an overgrown
hedge.
''Be still,' said the woman. anxiously,
for Weymouth forgot everything ex-
cept that they were lovers. Speak
softw and she moved away little, but
still left her hand in his. "A voice car
ries far in this mist; we are not out Of
danger yet"
She was painting for breath; they had
come nearly mile at a fine. steady
pace for the most part. There was a
singing in Weymouth's ears as he
shifted the strap of his pouch to the
other shoulder; to see her agin was
worth whatever might befall.
"Twas hard days ride" he said.
boyishly, "and here I'm on the road
again"
otis mercy, Them said the woman.
roughly, but the mother that Is In
every wife has mercy for the boy that
Is in every husband. and she and Wey-
mouth were lovers, and so she began to
pity him.
II brought bit of bread and cheese.
dear, here in my apron she said. 81
almost forgot it, but don't stop to eat
1t now Twas poor housing for you.
God pity me!'
He had left her stern and cold two
days before, and the wlstful love she
now betrayed was more to Weymouth
than any danger past. present or to
come. 1t must be that she had for
gotten her unkind decision, but at the
first word of an eager question she left
his side and hurried up the long slope.
The heavy leather pouch chafed and
lamed its carriers side. but, worse than
that, unhappy forebodings took the
spirit out of his heart The whole ad-
venture seemed unreal, danger and as
sistance were both alike strange events,
a play which developed itself before
his eyes Weymouth was light-headed
for the moment, and neither his own
safety nor the COLDS appeared to be
important, while the whole happiness
of his life was at stake.
A mile or two away the old inn stood
up against the dark sky like dismal
prison. There were lights about 1t
now, as II there were some stir and ex-
citement. The escaped man drew a long
breath and hastened forward to over
take his companion. V
what shall do?" ne asked. II have
no horse, and must reach Bristol by
dawn. have spent my life with horses.
but this one was like brother. Well,
l must leave him to their mercy. We
should have been In Bristol now, for
the sailing Of a ship"
You were led .astray." said she,