Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-03-18

CHANGED to raise her eyes to the open
window, and through it she saw, walk
ing on the other side Of the boundary
hedge Mr. Arbuckle.
With white lips she sat and talked
quietly to the rector for space; then,
when she could bear il no longer, she
arose from the table.
Il am going out for little walk,
uEcIe. dear" said she, and, waiting for
ne answer. she flew forth to join the
figure waiting beside the hedge.
Have you news for me-" she stam-
mered, with her hand on her heart.
Yes, Shall step through the sate""
She made sign Of acquiescence. He
Joined her in the dark shadow Of the
boundary wall
"All the necessary arrangements are
completed" he said II have seen the
captain of the Syren; he will hold HIM
self in readiness to receive one or two
passengers tonight. Must 1t be two?"
1T must, she answered Il will
never, never leave him nor forsake
him"
He turned his face and walked on in
silence, She seemed suddenly to be
aware that he. too, was suffering,
Comfort the rector for my loss" she
faltered. "He will miss me, | know
who have been eyes to him for long
year"
And you?" he burst out passionate
ly: have you thought of yourselfS 4
stranger in a strange hemisphere, with
that man on our hands what will you
do?"
Il do not vet know" she answered,
calmly; Il have boarded all my earn.
ings since coming to St Marks. The
aggregate will keep us from starvation
for awhile, at least, even in foreign
| land"
Starvation" he laughed out, mildly.
The syren is bound for Naples. have
written to my friends there My letter
will arrive before you. | have given
them charge concerning You and your
father"
She would not or could not speak
II shall go down the river with YOU,
and see you safely on board the ship.
he continued, stumbling painfully over
his words 1.-THE night promises to be
dark and starlcss. We must start early.
for your father is wild to be of"
They were passing under the shadow
of the tall hedge. As the mill-owner
spoke, a sudden sound, as of something
stirring in its intricate darkness, ar
rested Miss Sauls attention,
'IIark" she said "What is that -
II hear nothing, answered Arhuckle,
She listened but the noise was not
repeated,
at was the wind" she said "You
have been with him today them"
Yes. He seems greatly broken In
mind and body, and frantic at the bare
thought of recapture. And now fare
we'll for awhile. When the clock strikes
nine | will await you here by tho
hedge
J He passed into his own grounds anG
disappeared there in the fast gathering
darkness. Miss Saul stood In the path
i by the boundary hedge alone.
j
too hideous as yet for comprehension
Night thickened; scudding clouds filled
the sky
She looked listlessly up at them
through the tree-tops
THANK Cod" she murmured. "thert
will he neither moon nor stars"
Through the trees beyond the hedge
a figure appeared moving toward her
a mans figure, the gray head bowed or
the breast the gait hesltant and un.
certain. He waved his hand at sigh
of her. and with thrill of mingled
terror and joy-terror at his rashness
| Joy at seeing him once more-she raj
to open the gate AS she did So she
heard again that rustic In the hedge
Its dense darkness yawned, and out OF
it a man lifted himself and stood face
to face before her-Jasper Pole.
Handsome, debonair, with a smile or
his elegant mouth, he confronted Miss
Saul
She started back with scream. Thai
figure approaching among the trees!--
but no! he had seen the intruder In
time, and vanished.
What" said Pole. in an injured
voice Would you leave me as yor
did in the organ-loft- without so much
as a word Esther?"
She faced him, scornful and pale.
How long have you been hldine
| here" she demanded.
IAN hour or more" he answered, air.
lily. Pardon me. ! had not the heart
to disturb your absorbing conversation
with the mill-owner"
Her heart leaped to her throat. and
for moment seemed strangling her.
What do you mean?" she asked
slowly. What have you heard?"
II have heard Of the escape OF a
prisoner from the Jail across the river
He is here-hidden somewhere about
this pace-under the parsonage root,
perhaps, though / hear the officers from
the Jail searched 1t this morning All
you vince! You have found an ac-
complete, 1t seems, In the man across
the hedge"
She breathed more freely. A rising