The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-12

land what may pretty Folly west
brook be ADDING up here in the noun
tains along with q stranger and her
fathers nagf" he asked gayly.
The girl made no answer
"Oh, I reckon / understand yer
case. my gal" he continued. "Ye're
running away with this lad to git mar
ried. Why it's quite romantic, ! de-
clarer'
While speaking he looked from one
to the other with an amused, patroniz-
ing air, and then went on
"Well, Claudius Smith is not the
kind of man to part true lovers, spe-
cially when their counting is objection
able to mortal enemy"
Claudius Smith
On hearing this name pronounced the
lovers exchanged terrified glances for
it was that Of notorious bandit chief
tain, who, espousing the British cause
at the outbreak Of the Revolution, had
devastated the entire Shawangunk re-
gion with his band of robbers ever since
Realizing that the surest way Of engag-
ing the sympathies Of such man was
to acknowledge himself an outlaw.
Robin no longer hesitated to reveal the
truth.
IF you are indeed the renowned
leader, Claudius Smith, he said, II
am sure you will befriend me My name
is Edward Robin, and l have just
escaped from the Goshen Jail, where l
have been confined for many long
months on false accusation. With the
assistance Of this honest girl, he con-
tinued,~ with wave Of the hand toward
Polly, II succeeded in making my
escape tonight We are on our way to
get married. Mr. Smith, and trust
you will not detain US longer "
During this little speech the face of
the Tory cilieftain expressed amaze
lnent, admiration and satisfaction by
turns. and when Robin had finished he
grasped him warmly by the hand
"Ye're a lad after my own heart,
sir he exclaimed warmly. "A young
eter who has the pluck not only to break
Jail, but to make off with his iailer's
darter commands my respect I'll not
only help We to marry yer sweetheart,
my lad but II protect ye from the law
as well.
Robin thanked him ferventlv and
was on the point of assisting Polly into
the chaise again when the Tory inter.
posed
"Not so fast. my lad, he said. lay
Ing hand on his shoulder 'Ye must
remember that yc'ro now an outlaw
md not safe away from my protection
If let We drive off now, yen certainly
be captured, for Joe Yves brook will
raise the country round to bring back
his runaway darter SO ye'd better Join
MY band lad and live secure in the
mountains.
Robin hesitated lie fully realized
the truth of the outlaw S words and ap-
preciated the dangers that threatened
him, AS an escaped prisoner be knew
that he must henceforth lead the life of
a fugitive Notwithstanding that he was
innocent of crime As circumstances
had made him an outlaw why not nc
ctpt his fate: On the other hand. con
sideration for Polly urged him to pUr-
sue a different course. So after brief
period of reflection he replied to the
bandit in these words
II thank you for your offer Mr..
Smith, but | am bound in honor to
marry this girl: therefore | must refuse
it and trust to any own resources
Without paying the slightest regard
to his refusal the Tory turned to the
girl, saying
"If ye love this young spark Polly
Westbrook, yell urge him to do as |
say Remain here with me. and I'll see
that ye're married by parson Then
We 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 hese noun
tains where ye can set UP housekeeping
and live most romantically together
What say ye?'
Fear for her lovers safety influenced
Polly to accept his advice.
II think we had better remain here,
Edward and accept Mr. Smith S kind
offer, - she said II know my father
well, and we could hardly hope to es
cape him y
what You consent to become the
bride of an outlaw 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
a wild. lawiess life in the mountains
had appealed strongly to the imagina-
ton of the romantic girl from the first
To become the wife of a bandit seemed
to her fitting climax to her clandes-
tine conrtship and elopement' and the
fact that this destiny was forced upon
her was sufficient to allay all her scru-
pies As to Robin he argued that he had
no choice in the matter He must either
become bandit or risk capture. sepa-
ration from his sweetheart and impris-
onment The law had oppressed him,
anu uOW ue Woulu Dtu IL NCiduSc
II will join your band, Captain
Smith, he said after pause. Now
conduct us to 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.
flake the nag by the bride and fol-
low Inc, he said.
The young man obeyed. and they all
three began clumbering up the rough
ascent, the bandit leading the way
After proceeding about half mile, they
arrived at little clearing, where their
conductor babe Robin unharness the
horse, as they were now about to enter
the woods. When this was done. he led
them into thicket to the right and
pushed ahead so rapidly that they found
it exceedingly difficult to keep up with
him
AT last they came to Il part of the for
est where the scenery was chaotic. Huge
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 IA
dozen men might bid defiance to thou
sand