Omaha daily bee., 1897-08-01

on her lace, And | am weary OF IL.
but then II you are tired OF it
'1f | am tired OF 1t, why don't | free my
self instead Of preaching to you?" she an
swered, YEARLY. First, because | am a
woman, Mr.. wiseman."
81 don't see what that has to do with it,"
| retorted.
Don't vou?" she answered bitterly.
Then l will tell you. My uncle feeds me,
clothes me, gives me a roof, and sometimes
beato me. If | run away, as l bid you run
away, where shall I fnd BOARD and lodging,
or anything but the beating? A man comes
and goes; a woman, II she has not some one
to answer for her, must to the justice and
thence to The round house. and be set to
beating hemp, their shoulders smarting to
boot. Can | get service without a char
acter?"
NO" | said, that is true"
cor travel without money!
mo"
cor alone, except to milestone park"
NO"
well. 1t Is fine to be a man. then she
answered. leaning her little shawled head
further back against the wall and slowly
moving it to and fro, while she looked at me
from under her eyelashes. For he can do
all. And take a woman with him
| started a. that, and stared at her. and
saw a little color come into her pale face.
But her eyes. far from falling under my
gaze, met my eyes with a bold, mischievous
look, that gradually, and as she still moved
her head to and fro, melted into a smile.
1t was impossible t. mistake her meaning
and | felt a thrill run through me such as l
had not known for ten years. oh" | said
at last, and awkwardly, 81 see now"
You would have seen long ago If you had
not been Il fool" she answered. And then,
rs If to excuse herself, added-but this | did
not understand-"not that the fine feathers
make fine birds-I am not such a fool myself
as to think that-but-'
But what?" l said, my face warm.
81 am a fool all the same"
Her eyes falling with that and her pale
face fast growing scarlet, though l could not
follow her precise drift, of the main thing
there was no doubt. And | take it there are
few men that, upon such an invitation, how
ever yelled, would not respond. Accordingly
| took a step toward the girl and went,
though clumsily, to put my arm around her.
But she pushed me off with a vigor that
surprised me and Knocked me with a face be-
tween mischief and triumph. a face that was
mere like a mutinous buys than a girls,
"Oh. no." she said. There is a good deal
between this and that, Mr.. Price
How" | said, shamefacedly.
do you go?' she asked, sharply. rs it
settled? That first of all, if you please
As to the going-somewnere-I had made
no my mind long ago; before | met her, or
went into the Seven Stars, or knew that a
dozen mad topers were roaring treason about
the town, and bidding fair to hang us all.
But, being of a cautious temper, and seeing
conditions | had not contemplated, added, and
having besides a shrewd idea that | could
not withdraw afterward, l hesitated. ut is
dangerous!' | said.
II will tell you what is dangerous she
answered. showing her little white teeth as
she flashed her eyes at me. and that is to
be where we are. Do you know what they
are doing there?" and she pointed toward
the market whence we had come.
No" l said reluctantly, wishing she
would say no more.
killing the king she answered, in a
low voice. ut is for Saturday or Saturday
week. He is to he stopped in his coach as
he comes from hunting-in the lane between
Turnham green and the river. You can
count their chances. They are merry plot
tiers. And now-now," she continued, do
you know where you stand, Mr.. Price, and
whether it is dangeroue?'
81 know" l said, trembling at that bloody
design, which no. whit surprised me, since
everything l had heard corroborated it. Il
know what l have to do"
"What?' she said.
GO straight to the secretary's Office l
said. land tell him
You won't do it," she answered. "Or,
at least, l won't"
Why" l asked, a-tremble with excite
ment.
''Why?" she echoed, hooking me. And |
noticed that not only were her eyes bright,
but her lips red. why, firstly, Mr.. Price,
because l want to have done with plots
and live honestly, and that is not to be
done on blood money. And, secondly. be-
cause 1t is dangerous, as you call it. Do you
want to be in evidence, set up for all to
point at, and six months after to be decoyed
to Mapping, dropped into a dark hold and
carried over to France?'
God forbid" l eaid, aghast at this view of
things.
Then have done with informing she an
swered. with a little squirt of heat. "Or
let it be, at any rate, until we are safe
ourselves and snug in the coutry. Then, If
you choose, and you do nothing to hurt my
uncle-for I will not have him touched-we
may talk of it. But not for money
Those words safe and snug" telling of
a prospect that at that moment seemed of
all othern the most desirable in the world,
dweIt so lovingly on my ear that in place
of hesitation | felt only eagerness and haste.
Il will CO. l said.
you will?' she said.
yes" | answered.
"And?"
and WHAT" l said, wondering,
She hesitated for a moment and then.
That is for you to say" she repli>l, low
ering her eyes.
1t lis possible that l might not have under
stood her even then, If I had not marked her
face, and seen that her lips were quivering
with a sudden bashfulness which words and
manner in vain belied. She was not not all
boldness, she blanched at last; and. lowering
her eyes, drew forward the shawl that COW
cred her head, the street urchln gone out OF
her. And l. seeing and understanding, had
other and new thoughts of her which re-
NAMED with me. 'If you mean that" |
said, Il will make you my wife if you will
let me-
well, ven see about it when we get to
Romford," she answered. looking nervously
aside, and plucking at the fringe of the
shawl. 1--WE have to escape first. And now
.%listen,'' she continued rapidly and in her
ordinary voice. my uncle is removing to-
rnorrnur In anpthar hiding p1ann and On
first with some clothes. He will not fit him.
self until it is dark. Do you put your trunk
outside your door and / will take it aud send
it by the Chelmsford wagon. At noon meet
me at Clerkenwell gate, and we will walk
to Romford and hide there until we know
how things are going,'
why Romford?" ] asked.
"Why anywhere" she answered impa-
tiently.
That was true enough, and seeing In what
mood she was. and that out of sheer contrari-
ness she was inclined, because she had
melted to me a moment before, to be more
shrewfsh now. j refrained from asking fur
Their questions, listening instead to her
minute directions, which were given with as
much clearness and perspicuity as If she
had dwelt on this escape for a twelvemonth
past.
1t was plain, indeed, that she had not
fetched and carried for the famous Fer
n,,uA Co., a,I.., .~,, ,,.la hi L |