The Irish standard., 1899-05-20
$500 REWARD
BY Randolph Lichfeld.

Under the penetrating warmth OF
the red and rising sun, the gray
morning mists were slowly lifting and
thinning over the wide wild stretch of
the blue Dartmoor. Gradually the
bushes and hedges took forms-dim and
shadowy at first, then firm; and distant
peaks and belts of trees peeped smok-
lily through the white haze. Under
thick, dewy bush lay man sleeping.
He lay with his face upon his arm, and
the clothes which chung damply to him
proclaimed him convict.
Presently the haze lifted, and light
rain began to fall. Light as it was it
was sufficient to awaken the sleeper. He
lifted his head suddenly, and looked up
straight before him. Then he sat up,
and carefully surveyed the surrounding
country.
''Three days of it, and it's taken me
no more than couple of miles away"
he groaned. He put his hand up to
fresh scar upon his forehead, and
laughed. swell, p'raps the fog that lost
me my way, lost them me. But must
have been going back half the time
yesterday in the fog, and by this time
every soul will be warned, and every
hand raised against me"
He scrambled to his feet, and after
looking about him cautiously, stamped
his blood. He shivered and Rugged his
breast.
"Lor', I'm hungry!" he calculated,
ruefully. "Oh, for meal of the old
farm bread and butter and pint of the
Alderney cows milk! Freedoms fine
thing, but an empty stomach takes the
bloom off. There! It's early yet;
folks amt about. Somewhere about
there must be place where could get
a slice and cup without asking. Ask
ing's dangerous in this rig-out."
Then he turned and set out in an
easterly direction, walking fast, but
with evident pain. Over the moorland's
uneven face he went. his fists clenched
and his elbows pressed against his sides.
At times, when his course lay over fair
~ even ground, he turned and ran back
wards, that he might survey the land
behind without unnecessary delay.
IF they catch me, let 'em shoot me,
but l won't go back" he muttered as
he ran.
He had run for about ha'f mile,
when he saw at distance small house
surrounded by barns standing in belt
of stately trees. The sight encouraged
him and renewed his vigor. Yet he
knew that in that direction lay danger,
for wherever man worked or played dan
ger for him must lie. But. hungry,
thirsty, weak and pain-strained, he
meant to risk recapture to stay the
gnawing at his vitals and to revive his
failing energy.
AS he approached the farm he slack
ened his pace and eagerly scanned the
scene for signs of human presence.
Creeping under cover of a hedge, he
made his way to the open shed, pushed
his way through rickety door and en-
tered the Enclosed portion of the out
house, and there found velvety Jersey
COW eating at manger. She looked
round at him and breathed heavily.
She dropped her pail with an ex-
clanation of alarm as her bright eyes
lighted upon the stranger, and she was
about to retreat hurriedly when he
turned. saw her, and bounded to the
door. to which he put his back.
AS he stood trying to decide how to
procure some of the milk the COW was
anxious to render, the door of the shed
was thrown open and a young woman,
milk-pail in hand, entered behind him.
For goodness sake, don't give me
away!" he said, hoarsely. II won'a
harm you; but give me cup of milk and
I'll bless you. No. Stay! look at
me we'll. You see'who 1 ana convict,
but there's good in me yet. Give me
drop of milk, for the love of heaven!
I'll not hurt, you miss. Only give me
drop to stop this burning thirst, and
don't call aloud"
The woman's expression of horror
and alarm gradually faded from her
face as she listened and understood
by the mans appearance his desperate
position; and there was something like
compassion in her voice when she spoke.
'Are you John Atkins, who escaped
on Tuesday," she asked.
AYE, then you've heard!" he
groaned.
They were round the farm yesterday
hunting for you," she said. There's a
reward for you"
First Actor-Well, the medical guy.
says I've got paresis coming on.
Second Actor-That amt SO bad as It