The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-08-17

lay In his fears and In this-that as the
fugitives knew the way to the wharf, and
1t could not now be far distant, We might
reach it and go on board some vessel
had gathered they were flying the country
before this wretch could recover himself
and get together force to stop US. That
was my real hope and In that hope only
left him.
We went as fast as the women could
walk. ! did not trouble them with ques-
lions. Indeed had myself no more lei
sure than enabled me to notice their gem
eral appearance, which was that of com.
Portable tradesmen's women folk Their
cloaks and hoods were plainly fashioned
and of coarse stuff; their shoes were thick
and no jewel or scrap of lace peeping out
betrayed them. Yet there was something
In their carriage which could not be hid
den, something which, to my eye, told
tales, SO that minute by minute l became
more sure that this was really an adven-
ture worth pursuing, and that London had
kept o reward In store for me besides its
cold stones and inhospitable streets.
The city was beginning to rouse itself.
that runs down to the sea. was oddly
struck by the strange current of life which
for week had tossed me from ono adven-
ture to another, only to bring me into
contact at length with these two and
sweep me into the unknown whirlpool of
their fortunes
Who were they' A merchants wife and
her sister flying from Bishop Bonner's in
quisitionf thought 1t likely. Their
cloaks and hoods indeed, and all that l
could see of their clothes, fell below such
a condition, but probably they were worn
| as disguise. Their speech rose as much
above 1t, hut knew that of late many
merchants wives had become scholars
and might pass In noblemen's houses.
Even as in those days when London waxed
fat and set up and threw down govern
ments, every alderman had come to ride In
mail.
No doubt the women, Watching me In
anxious silence, were as curious about me.
i still bore stains of country travel. was
unwashed, unkempt; my doublet was torn;
the cloak had cast at my feet was the
very wreck of a cloak. Yet read no dis.
trust in their looks. The elders brave
eyes seemed ever thanking me- / never
saw her lips move silently that they did
not shape well donei" And though ]
| caught Mistress Anne scanning me once OF
twice with an expression could i'll inter
pref a smile took Its place the moment her
gaze met mine.
We had passed but were still In sight OF
Greenwich palaoe-as they told me-when
the mist rose suddenly like curtain
rolled away, and the cold bright February
sun, shining out, disclosed the sparkling
river, with the green hills rising on our
right hand. Here and there ON its surface
small boat such as our own moved to
and fro, and In the distant pool from
which we had come rose little forest OF
masts. hung on the oars moment, and
my eyes were drawn to two masted yes
sci which, nearly half mile below US,
was drifting down, gently heeling over
with the current as the crew got up the
sails. II wonder whittier she Is bound, "
I said thoughtfully, "and whether they
would take us on board by any chance"
Mistress Bertram shook her head. ~
have no money" she answered sadly. II
fear we must go on to Leigh II 1t be any
way possible. You are tired, and no won
der. But what Is itr' with a sudden
change Of voice. "What is the matterf"
1 had flashed out the oars with single
touch and begun to pull as fast as could
down the stream. No doubt my face, too,
proclaimed my discovery and awoke her
fears. Look behindP' I muttered be-.
tween my set teeth.
TO be Continued.