Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-04-04
CHAPTER XIX.

With feelings that cannot be describ-
ed read my own name on the envelope
which Erastus Brown, the colored man,
handed to me. Until that moment !
had not dreamed that it was not intend.
ed for Hank Boyer, but was mistaken.
IL was for me and no one else.
Breaking the envelope, read the fol-
lowing:
Mr.. Edward Kenmore:
have learned the dreadful mistake that was
made last night regarding yourself. The peo-
pie believe you 10 Ia n criminal when you are
an honest stranger in this neighborhood. New.
ertheloss the law Is powcrless 10 protect yon
for the time being. and your only safety lies
In holding yourself beyond reach OF the mis-
guided men until steps can be taken to estab.
li-h your identity. Ny father Is doing his ut
most, but be may not succeed In time. Know
Ing that you must b. in need Of food. have
sent our servant in quest Of you, bearing this
note OF explanation and with little hope that
he will succeed in delivering either. Should
he do 90 desire TO say to you. speaking for
my fither, Colonel Asnsley, and myself, that
you will b. given n cordial welcome under our
roof and will bs defended to the last.
ESTHER MASsLEY.
How characteristic, this letter Of a
true southern woman! And how char.
asteristic, too, Of her valiant father, the
Confederate veteran! Having become
satisfied of the truth and my grievous
peril, they were ready to defend me to
the death, even though the parent had
never seen me and had not exchanged
word with the daughter. II was suffi-
cient for them to know that an irrepara
BILE wrong impended for their sympa
thies to be enlisted.
And yet as I walked slowly forward
beside the colored servant, to whose
chatter gave no head, labyrinth Of
perplexity opened before me. Despite
her chivalrous feelings toward me, it
was evident that she loved the unworthy
Hank Boyer. the cause of all the mis-
chief and trouble There il no fathom-
ing the mystery and contradictions Of
woman's heart, and, should it come to
choice between sacrificing me or him.
which would she choose? With that
willful unreasoDableness often mani
tested by bright woman, would she
not be ruled by her emotions and her
affection? The problem was beyond my
solution, and my footsteps Jagged, for ]
was uncertain whether to 60 on or turn
aside and seek safety without human
help.
No doubt Colonel Mansley had ridden
with headlong haste in quest OF help to
protect me from lynching. Great as was
his personal influence in his own neigh
borhood, he must know that a mob is
not amenable to reason, and with the
people reused to evaporation against
me for my supposed crime they wonld
give no heed to his pleadings. While
standing alone he could make but weak
defense against the infuriated yeomen
True, il he could convince his friends
beyond the immediate vicinity of the
real situation, he might organize force
that could defy the mob, but to do that
required at least several hours, aud my
fate must be decided In the meantime.
turned about and studied the swamp
now at Q considerable distance TO the
rear. Still it gave no sign. What could
&c all mean? Where were those men and
their bloodhounds that were 90 clanor-
cus for my deaths I was now In the
open and offered tho most inviting op-
portunity for destruction, but they
made no attempt to do me harm.
We had now advanced 90 far that the
broad. spacious residence Of Colonel