The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-07
PART II.

Dressing himself noiselessly, Var
borough unbarred the door, opened it
and went down the road in the moon
light. He had scarcely left the door
step when his wife rose, drew on her
dress, crept to the door and looked af-
ter him. She heard him repeat the
whip-poor- Wills call, and saw eight or
ten men ride out OF the bushes to
meet him.
Lord have mercy!" she muttered.
The whole gang is heer; don't see how
on arth 1 can save i'm. But out of her
sheer despair rose a plan for the boys
escape. Going to the stable, she quick
ly bridled and saddled his horse, and
left him fastened to a bush in the edge
Of the woods back of the cabin. Then
she crept round to the front door,
bending near the Garth, so as not to
be seen, and took a hasty look down
the road. The men had dismounted
and stood grouped around her hus-
band. They were planning an attack.
Fastening into the cabin, and shud-
derlng at the sound Of the puncheons
Creaking under her feet, she mounted
the ladder to the loft. The moonlight
shone through a little shutterless
window, and fell on the bed of the
young soldier who was so sound asleep
that he did not stir till she had touch
ed him. But she had no sooner done
so, than he sat up and laid hold of
the revolver lying ready at his hand.
IT'S jest me-" she said in a cautious
whisper. Cit up as quick as you pos
sibly can. Thar's a whole gang O.
ush-whackers out thar ready to rob
you"
IT reckon not" he said, not yet fully
awake, but she heard him cock his re-
volver the next instant, and knew he
had comprehended her warning.
Hurry up" she said. I've got yore
boss ready tied in the bushes."
He was holding his revolvcr between
bis teeth, and grunted impat'cntly as
he drew on his coat over his bandaEnd
aim. I'm ready" he said, as he fol-
lowed her to the ladder, but If didn't
have Tom Brantley's money and that
hoss to look after, I'd jest like to let 'em
smell my powder-the dirty dogs!"
They reached the floor beneath and
she held up her hand warningly, while
she peered through the door.
Thank goodness, they are down thar
yit, but-but come on quick: they're
a-comin'! Follow me roung the house
| Stoop as low as you cam"
"Git up" she said, and she aided him
to mount. "I'll show you way through
| the woods. When they find you gone
they'll think you went the main road
1 kin lead you to another big road, an
they will never ketch you in the world. ,
They had gone about a quarter of a
I'D tiV,a
| the bushes and briars. when the young
soldier said:
Hold on tharI kin git through the
bushes an snags better than you car
with yore dress a-draggin', an soakin
wet with dew. You git up heer an LET
me walk"
Ssh! it amt fur" and she raised her
hand warningly, and continued ON hel
way till they had reached a spot wher,
the trees grew very densely; then she
stopped and stepped back to him. Sh'
was pantingly heavily, and hN hail
| was wet with dew
| Listen" she said, with a grim smile
"They couldn't fnd us heer, but the!
are in the cabin now. That sound wal
the ladder a-fallin', 1 fixed it so i
would slide to one side the minute any
body got on it. Thar! 1 heer, 'em {
cussin'; they have discovered yor,
escape. Thank heaven!'-as a clatte
of horses hoofs came to them on th
still air
Thar they go up the big road lik
rips. They will try to overtake yo'
never imag aginin' you went this way
| Come on; t'other big road is right on
| thar, When you git on it, you'll b
all right"
A moment later the long yellow road
way lay before them, stretching up
wards in the moonlight.
IT reckon I'd better turn back" sh
said. Keep straight ahead, and you'll
git to Ellijay some time in the mornin'
But / was just a-thinkin'; you neye
told us yore name"
Roberts" he replied smiling "Ant
I've eat yore meat an bread an slep
in yore house, 'thout so much as akin
yore'n."
Marlborough" she said.
Marlborough" he repeated, "Why
I've got a granddaddy an grandmam
my down in Fannin county by tina
name. 1t amt a common one. Coo
Marlborough was his name. My mothe
left 'em fore / was born"
She had turned very white and lai
a trembling hand on the boys les
That's my old mans name, an W
lived in Fannin fore we moved up hee
after the war broke out. 1 wonder
/ wonder If you are one Of Mandy
children?"
That's her name, as shore as preach
in" and the boy leaned down an
studied the features of his rescuer. "
thought thar was something that mad
me feel at home with you the minute
heerd you speak. l went to sleep u
thar in Me loft easier than l have fu
many a night in a long time. But wha
become 90 him-the old man? Some
how couldn't quite trust him the sam
as did YOU"
A big tear came out of her eye an
fell to the ground.
I'm ashamed o. the way he treate
you" she said, almost sobblng. III
Altered Mandy never would understan
it,"
Il never would mention 1t to her,
replied the boy, slowly comprehendin
her drift. Though 1 want to tell Z
about you. I'm mighty glad l see
you. Ef the wars ever over l want
come out heer an help you with yoI
) crops. / wouldn't mind him."
'IIe amt SO awful bad" said the ol
woman, "but since the war begun !
! has changed from what he used to b