The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-16

ye can live here without fear of having
yer husband run down by the consta-
bles and landed back in Jail I've more
than one cozy retreat in these noun
tains where ye can set up housekeeping
What say yer
Fear for her lovers safety Influenced
Polly to accept his advice.
II think we had better remain here,
Edward and accept Mr. Smith kind
offer. she said II know my father
well. and we could hardly hope to es-
cape him.
"What You consent to become the
bride of an outlaw p he asked
''Rather that than have you taken
from me and put back in the dreadful
Jail. was the reply.
The truth was that the idea of living
wild. lawless life in the mountains
had appealed strongly to the imagina-
tion of the romantic girl from the first.
To become the wife of a bandit seemed
to her fitting climax to her clandes-
tine courtship and elopement. and the
fact that this destiny was forced upon
her was sufficient to allay all her scru-
Piles. AS to Robin he argued that he had
no choice in the matter He must either
become a bandit or risk capture. sepa-
ration from his sweetheart and impris-
onment The law had oppressed him.
and now he would bid it defiance.
81 will join your band. Captain
Smith. he said after pause. ''Now
conduct us to a place where we can rest
without fear of interruption.
The bandit appeared to be greatly
pleased at this decision. and Immediate
ly started up the trail
"Take the nag by the bride and fol.
low me-" he said.
The young man obeyed. and they all
three began clambering up the rough
ascent, the bandit leading the way.
After proceeding about half mile. they
| arrived at little clearing. where theil
conductor bade Robin unharness the
horse. as they were now about to enter
the woods. When this was done. he lee
them into thicket to the right an6
pushed ahead so rapidly that they found
it exceedingly difficult to keep up with
him.
! At last they came to part of the for
est where the scenery was chaotic. Hug
fragments of rock lay tumbled together
on all sides-where they had evidently
been piled by some tremendous con
vulsion of nature-the whole forming
an impregnable stronghold in which {
dozen men might bid defiance to thou
sand.
I "I've a snug little retreat up yon
DER" said the bandit, pointing upwart
to the rocks yell be as safe there a
birds on nest.
With these words he conducted then
by way of a winding. dizzy ascent to
vast platform of stone, and pushing
aside screen of brambles revealed tn
entrance to a cavern. AS it was by thi
time broad daylight they could see tina
the interior had been rendered quit
comfortable. The floor was covered wit,
the furs of wild animals. deerskin
were stretched on the walls. and arti
cles of furniture, evidently procured b
the bandit from some farmhouse he ha
pillaged, added homelike appearance
| W tuo pldCo.
"Enter and make yerselves a
home" he said cheerily. ':while I G
off to fetch ye parson. Then I'll sum
mon the entire band to the wedding
and we'll have a famous merrymab
ing"
Robin led Polly into the cavern
while the bandit turned to go upon hi
mission AS the latter had considers
BILE journey to perform he pressed Jo
Westbrook's horse into his service an
disappeared in the direction of the trail
When the last sounds of his departur
had died away in the distance, Robli
turned to Polly and exclaimed in tone
of CONSERVATION
"Alas. | am undone! UndoneT
"Undone. Edward? What do 20
mean2"
"That I have Joined fortunes wit
the enemies of my country. Oh. VIII
did not think of that before?''
In truth his mind had been so bewi
dered by his sudden encounter with th
outlaw and his eagerness to escape pu1
suit had been so great that it was nc
| uho1i iC hdu ACdShCd a paw Vi odlCt
that he became calm enough to realiz
the significance of his act That he.
professed patriot, should have consent
ed to join band of Tory outlaws az
peared to him now as the basest tres
son. But there was a chance yet fo
him to escape from the abhorrent situs
tion, and he resolved to avail himse
of it.
"Come. Pollyl'' he cried. taking he
by the hand and starting toward tt
|, entrance of the cave. 81 may save m
, honor yet if we make haste. .
1t was his intention to take advar
tage of the Tory's absence to make b
escape across the mountains, but ju
as he reached the platform outside
was confronted by two armed men al
brought to sudden halt.
"Gcsod day to you, friendl" said on
1.-THE captain sent us here to gual
your slumbars.
'It is too late to attempt escapi1
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