Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-12-29
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
Next morning Barbara entered the hall
after having seen about the duties of the
house, ordered dinner, weighed out spices
| and greats, made the under-servant do the
work Of Jane, who was absent; she moved
about her usual duties with her usual pre-
| cision and order, but without her usual
composure.
Jasper heard Mr.. Jordan calling him, so
he went to his room. He found the sick
gentleman with clouded brow and closed
| lips, and eyes that gave him furtive
glances, but could not look him steadily.
casper Babb," said Mr.. Jordan, Il do
not wish you to leave the house or its inn
mediate precincts to-day. Jane has not
returned. Eve is unreliable and Barbara
overstrained."
eyes, sir, will do as you wish.''
"On no account leave"
Jane Welsh did not return home until
| evening drew ON. Barbara met her at the
door.
"Please, miss, could not help myself"
she said. "Your father sent me away on
secret errand last night. [ found Joseph
Woodman, and he said he must send for
the warders to identify the prisoner. Then,
miss, he said l was to wait till he had got
the warders and some constables, and
when they were ready to come on l might
come too, but not before. l slept at my
sisters last night
"Where are the men now"
'They are about the house-sOme behind
hedges, some in the wood, some on the
down."
Barbara shuddered.
''Please, miss, they have guns. And,
miss, | were to come en- and tell the mas
ter that all was ready, and if he would
let them know where the man was they'd
trap him."
''There is no man here but Mr.. Babb.'
James face fell.
''Lawk, miss! If Joseph thought us had
been making games of he, l believe he'd
never marry me-and after going to a
! Love Feast with him, too! 'TwouId be
serious that, surely"
Joseph has taken a long time coming
Joseph takes things leisurely, miss
it's his nature Us have been counting
time out O. mind; and, please, miss, if the
man were here, then the master was to
give the signal by pulling the alarm bell.
Then the police and warders would close
in on the house and take him.
Barbara was as pale now as when near
ly fainting in the morning.
"Wel, Miss Jordan, what is troubling
you?" asked Jasper, appearing suddenly
beside her. ''The house is surrounded.
Men are stationed about it. No one can
leave it without being challenged
''Yes," said Barbara quickly. "By the
Abbot's Well there runs a path down be-
tween laurels, then over stile into the
wood. 1t is still poss;ble-will you go?"
''You do not trust me?'
Il wish to-but-'
''Will you do one thing for me?'
She looked timidly at him.
Peal the alarm bell
AS the bell changed Mr.. Jordan came out
of his door. He had been ordered to re-
main quiet and take no exercise; but now,
leaning on his stick and holding the door
jamb. he came forth.
"What is this?" he asked, and Jasper
put his hand to the rope to arrest the up
ward east ''Why are you ringing, Bar
bara? Who told you to do sou
Il babe her ring" said Jasper, "to call
these" he pointed to the door.
Several constables were visible; fore
most came Joseph and prison warder.
'"Take him. cried Mr.. Jordan. Among
the servants and laborers the young stew
ard was only known as Mr.. Jasper. why,
sir. this is-this is-Mr. Jasper.'
"This is the man." said Ignatius Jor-
dan. clnging to the door jamb and point
ing excitedly with his stick-''this is the
man who robbed his own father of money
that was mine. This is the man who was
locked up in Jail and broke out, and, by
the mercy and justice of heaven, was cast
at my door"
81 beg your pardon. SIR said Joseph,
''I don't understand. This is your stew
ard. Mr.. Jasper"
stake him, handcuff him before my
ewes. This is the fellow you have been
in search of; deliver him up
But. SIR said the warder. "you are
wrong. This is not our escaped convict"
"He is; tell You I know he isl
81 am sorry to differ from you, sir, but
This is not he. / know which is which.
Why, this chaps hair has never been cut.
If he'd been with us he'd have head like
mole's back
.'Not her, cried Mr.. Jordan frantically.
81 say to you this is Jasper Babb."
swell. sir" said the warder, sorry to
differ. sir, bat our man amt Jasper at all
he's Martin
Then Joseph turned his light blue eyes
round in quest of Jane. ''I'll roast her.
TIL eat her. he muttered, ''at the next
Love Feast"
The men went away much disappointed,
crumbling. swearing, ill-appeased by
glass Of cider each: Jane sulked in the
kitchen. and said to Barbara, This day
month, please, miss
Mr.. Jordan, COMPOUNDED, disappointed,
crent back to his room and cast himself
on his bed.
The only person in the house who could