News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1899-07-26
CHAPTER K.
A1t's WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

6NOOAs LOA L 81 LA4SA A4SC hCtNl i4O " n Ia
to a towering rage on recognizing her
former lover He had learned of his
escape from Jail, accompanied by Joe
Westbrook's pretty daughter, and had
heard it darkly limited that they had
taken refuge with the Tories in the
mountains, and now he jumped at
the conclusion that Robin had led the
Tories hither for the purpose of carry
ing off his daughter 1t would be an
eftectual way of wreaking his revenge,
he argued. and at the same time pro-
curing plumber for his comrades.
"You internal desperador' he bawl-
ed loudly. $50 you thought to run off
with Zadie, after all Oh, never fear.
We'll not kill you. for it would be a
shame to rob the gallows of its prey
No, you thieving varletl Well put you
back in prison and keep you there until
the hangman calls for you That what
we'll do.
Robin glared at his prosecutor def
antly and replied
Whatever may be. old man, | am
not perjurer! | never kept man in
Jail on a false charge. And, as for wish
ing to steal your daughter, | have risk
ed my life to protect her.
eyes. indeed, broke in Zadie. who
had at last found voice to interpose
"this man has defended me bravely
without letting me know who he was
Then, turning to Robin. she continued
in a sorrowful tone of voice $50 it
was you, Edward who so bravely de-
Tended me from the Tories. Strange
that did not guess it beforel"
While she was speaking her father
gazed at her in bewilderment, for heI
words had a cooling effect upon his
rage.
"You say that this man defended
you, ZadieT" he stammered out at last
Eyes, father, she answered eagerly
HE fought the whole band for my
sake -
But he came here with the Tories
He was one of them, returned Farmer
Price dubiousl.%
II can explain all that, broke in a
sweet voice from the direction of the
staircase.
And moment afterward Polly came
tripping into the attic.
She carried a lantern in her hand
and her countenance was illumined by
it's light. 1t could be seen that her
cheeks were flushed with excitement
and that an expression of triumph gilt
tered in her eyes.
"Come, she said gayly, reckoning
60 the group surrounding Robin. "Fol-
low mstnto the kitchen, and I will tell
the story Of this nights doings The
Tories have fled to the mountains and
we need not fear disturbance.
But my husband aleb-has he
escaped unharmed2" asked Zadie in a
tone of voice which suggested the sus-
picion that a negative answer would
not have broken her heart
"Mr Shurker has been brutally NAL
treated, answered Polly, "but he will
soon be himself again. | will tell you
all about him when we reach the kitch.
en-. :"
THANK you, returned Zadie faint.
ly, with just trace of disappointment
in her tone.
So they all followed Polly into the
kitchen, where the remainder of the
rescuing party were already gathered
resting from the fatigues of the battle
and administering to the needs of Calet
Shurker. For, as Polly had said, this
unfortunate man had been very rough
ly treated by the bandits and was mucl
nearer dead than alive.
While passing down the stairs from
the attic into the lower part of tn,
house they stumbled over the bodies o
several Tories who had been thrown
into such panic by the sudden onrusl
of the rescuers that they had scarcel!
raised hand in defense of their lives
Evidences were nowhere wanting tina
the surprise had been complete. Oh
reaching the kitchen Polly babe tn
others be seated, while Zadie, like du
tiful wife, went over to soothe and con
sol her moaning husband. Farme
Price, who was familiar with the do
nestle arrangements of the household
brought great jug of cider from tn
cellar and also store of more substan
tial refreshments. These he placed OF
the table, saying:
Fall to- my lads, and eat and drinI
your fill Yell find that cider most ex
cellent and the corn bread and bacol
very strengthening
The frontiersmen did not wait for
second invitation, but fell to with
will, and while they were disposing G
the eatables Polly told the story of he
ride.
THANK you, kind friends. " she be
gan, "for the service you have rendere
me this night Perhaps you are nc
aware Of the great obligations you hav
placed me under WE'LL listen. and
will tell you
"This man." pointing proudly q
Edward Robin, twas a captive wit
me in the mountains. had helped hii
to escape from the Jail in which he wa
wrongfully confined, and we had he
together to get married and begin hi
over again in another part of the worlC
But unfortunately we were induced
accept the protection of CleudiT
Smith. He promised to see that "