The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-10-27

or good education. An involuntary eX-
clamation escaped me. The man turned
round and saw me there. Never have I
seen anything like the expression of his
face.
what brought you here?" he fiercely
cried, scizing me by the wrist
81 came to see-to sce"- gasped.
"What l was doing. Fatal curiosity,
of course. The curse of mother Eve is
on all you women"
Was it fatal curiosity? Would he MUIR
der me and bury me with the clothes?
trembled like a leaf and dared say moth
ing.
will you hold your tongue?" he de-
mandcd.
Indeed, indeed WILL" cried. 81 will
say no word to any ouc''
You can help me- he grimly remark
ed. rs there no quicklime on the farmT"
Il think so,' l replied.
"Ihen fetch me some as soon as you
cam"
l returned to the farm yard, found
what was required and brought it III Il
basket. He shook it over the clothes that
he had placed in the pit.
You understand that you have helped
me?' he said. IF those clothes are
found, you are responsible, and you will
have to answer any inquiries the police
may make"
Shouldering the spade, he trudsed into
the house.
l shall never forget the strange horror
of that afternoon. l sat pretending to
work; my visitor doZed over magazine
in the back of the parlor. We made no
atf
looked up, usually when the clock struck.
| think he found the time as long as |
did. His danger was not yet passed; he
must have chafed at the sunshine of the
long summer day. Wheels sounded on
the read at last.
My cousin is coming back" said 1.
well, you know who l am," replied
my companion, without moving. Go
and tell her Mr.. Hartland is here
l went into the passage and told An
ME. She shook, swayed, caught the wall
with her hand. l could not comprehend
her agitation.
Here, and I away" she cried.
81 guessed rightly that he might come"
l said. DO you know him by sight.
Annic:''
"Of course l do"
Then she would know this man was
not Hartland. l wondered why he haG
had the audacity to stay.
But Annie had entered the parlor and
greeted the man with three words.
You arc come" she said.
Il have come" he answered, adding
and l thought he looked significantly at
me as he spoke-"your cousin has taken
good care of me-"
l don't know what Annie replied. She
soon left the room, and Mr.. Hartland
followed her. If he had gone with the in
tcntion of numbering her, had no power
to stop him. My nerves were utterly
shaken. Whether she was gone n long
or short time l could not say, but Annie
came back alone.
where's Mr.. Hartland?' l said.
Gle left" she carclessly replied.
The ovcrstrain was too much for me
and burst into tears.
at has been so lonely" sobbed in ex.
cuse, "and l don't like strangers"
Annie was very kind-kindcr than !
had yet known Eer-and when went t
bed she came and brought me mulled
cider. / drank the staff. but l did not
like it. 1t tasted funny. and, though ]
slept, it was with feverish dreams. and
could sleep no more.
A farmhouse stirs early. but the sounds
that morning seemed earlier than usual
l rose and looked out of my window. Ii
was neither dark nor dawn. and on the
road below stood cart and horse
Two people left the farm. l watched
them get into the cart and drive away.
They were Annie and Mr.. Eartland
More than Is months after l had left
Brackworthy l heard from my cousin
Annie, then in America:
Dear Florrie-I and my husband feel that we
owe you some explanation for an affair you can
not have forgotten. The man whose convict
clothes you helped to bury was my husband
Never mind about his called crime. In NY
eyes he is innocent, for never q killed
who deserved death more than he who met his
death my husbands hands. When i knew
Jms sentence, / took Bracsworthy farm on pur-
pose, il possible, TO help him. Our marriage be
in: secret vas the better able to do this Other
clothes we're placed where jim could fad them
on the moor, hiding place provided at Brack-
worthy whenever he should be able to get there.
The rest you know. Pardon my inhosptaity.
had no thoughts while you with me save for
Jim. Pray forgive him also the fright he caused
you. 1t necessary for his safety to intimidatc
You into silence. Come and see us here, where
We safe and happy. and will promise you
4 warm welcome.
trying experience, but l have not cared
to avail myself of Cousin Annie's invita-
tion.-New York Press