Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-03-18
The Prisoners Daughter.
Eta w. Pierce IN copies Home
Jouraal
Concluded.

shaded lamp gimmered on the carved
stays heads nailed to the wall, and
over the black walnut floor, and the thin
face and grave, speculative eyes of the
man who sat filling with tobacco a
ong Turkish pipe with an amber mouth
piece.
Patter, patter went the rain on the
window; the branches without rasped
loudly against the pane Mr.. Arbuckle's
back was turned toward the door of the
room. AS he leaned forward to light
the elegant pipe he heard rustic be-
hind him, and glancing over his square
shoulder, saw standing there. one foot
on his threshold. Esther Saul.
She was without bonnet or mantle.
Her face was like death; the rain
dripped from her rich black hair; her
eyes wore the look of hunted wild
creature at bay Mr.. Arbuckle leaped
to his feet.
Are we alone?" she breathed, rather
than spoke.
1--WE are alone he answered. the
blood creeping into his face. What
Gall have udppSuSu! u uSl hbIuluS 10
wrong with the rector?'
In obedience to his gesture, she en-
tered and closed the door
The rector is asleep in his bed" she
replied, her small hands locking to-
gether convulsively. Shall | tell you
why am here in this plight at thi
hour Of the night? To ask you to help
me-"
He set her a chair in silence, then
went to buffet in a corner, and pour
ing glass of wine, held it to her
oolorless lips.
What can | do for you? How can
l help you?" he asked, slowly.
Her breath came quick and short
She appeared to be listening for some
sound without, but nothing could be
heard save the wind and the rain.
"a prisoner has this night escaped
from the Jail across the river" she cried,
starting from her chair. ''Iie has come
to me to succor and shelter him. | must
do it, though it cost me my life for
the man is my father"
He stood and looked at her. He
spoke not a word, but seemed simply
waiting for Der to go on.
He has been in that place a year
said Esther Saul, her voice sinking
lower and lower "a defaulter for many
thousands of dollars. | was sitting
alone in the reGtor'S study. when !
heard a tap on the shutter. | opened
It. Mr.. Arbuclxle, cannot. | dare not,
tell my blind old friend-he would die
of anxiety and terror"
The mill-owner walked to the mantel
and adjusted cluster Of lights burning
above it. He looked grave and little
pale.
Quite right" he said, promptly.
Where is the-the person now"
Waiting" she replied, wringing her
hands, lin a little summer-house close
by the garden wall"
He stepped into the hall and re-
,urred with his hat In his hand.
Lead me to him at once" he said,
in a low voice.
She searched his face with her great
eyes.
What would you do? What do you
mean" she said
He gazed steadily down on her.
This house is we'll removed from all
others, and full of unoccupied rooms
my servants are old and trusty | shall
bring him here"
The blood rushed itno her face.
Here! What! Harbor nm escaped
felon under your roof"
Until he can be put Oh board some
outward bound vessel and sent to the
other side of the globe suit of the reach
of danger" said Mr. Arbuckle
II came to you" she faltered, because
you are the rector's friend-because
there was no one, no one in the wide
world beside, whom l could trust.
did not come to ask this of you"
He breathed little heavily as he put
himself before her.
"You have committed your secret to
my keeping, Miss Saul; you have sought
my help, and you cannot retract. His
escape will not long remain undiscoy-
cred; every moment we waste here in
ereases his danger. The parsonage
without doubt, will be the first place
to be searched"
She suffered him to draw her across
the great hall. He opened the outer
door, and they passed together into the
night.
Stygian darkness filled the wide
sweeping grounds. The rain beat fierce
ly on the wilderness Of trees and thick
cts; the wind came bowling down the
alleys and byways like wolf at bay
Hold fast to me-" said Arbuckle, in
a low voice.
She obeyed.
The grasp OF her small hands seemed
to agitate him greatly. He hurried her
In and out Of devious walks to the
boundary wall. As the old summer
house doomed up before them, Esther
Saul broke from her companion and
ran toward it.
Walt here and | will bring him"
she said, and darted through the door
and disappeared.
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