The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-09

1t was the voice OF her father. he
had raised himself up on an elbow and
was apparently listening intently. Pol
ly drew herself back from the bedpost
and remained as silent and motionless
as statue. She was literally frozen
with terror.
A few moments of agonizing sus-
pense followed, and then her father
turned over on his side and quickly re-
lapsed into slumber.
Waiting until she was sure he was
asleep, she stopped down and recovered
the keys Then she glided like ghost
from the room. On regaining the kitch-
en- she picked up the lantern and hur-
ried away to the cell of her lover, who
was anxiously awaiting her at the
''grief hole"
"What makes you so late. Pollyr
he whispered.
"Oh, please don't ask me-" she re-
piled in a voice half stifled with emo
ton ST have had terrible fright. but
I cannot tell you about it now. Come,
let us leave this dreadful place before
we are discovered.
While speaking she turned the key
in the lock and swung the cell dool
open. Robin could scarcely restrain 9
cry of delight when he found himself
once more at liberty. He followed Polly
through the corridor to the Jail doc,
and from thence across the yard to he,
fathers stable. Close to this building
stood a stately horse chestnut tree
from which large branch had recently
been broken. On his way to the stable
Robins eye CHANGED to fall upon ths
limb, and an idea occurred to him.
polly" he said laughingly, ''it
would be hardly fair for us to take you
fathers horse without Offering hin
some compensation. so intend making
fair exchange with him."
While speaking he shouldered the dis
severed branch and carried it into tn
building.
"What do you intend doing witt
that broken bough. Edwardf' aske'
the girl in tones of wonder.
"You will see presently" he replied
with difficulty suppressing his mirth
"While I'm harnessing the horse, Polly
try to find me pen and some paper
will your"
The girl departed to do his bidding
and, although she was gone but q fey
minutes, she found everything read
for their departure on her return. He
lover took the writing materials ah
had brought him and. making q des
Of barrel head. proceeded to write
letter to the jailer. When it was fir
ished, he fastened it to the chestnu
bough, tied the letter in the stall fro1
which he had just taken the horse an
beckoned Polly to his side.
81 want you to see what I hav
written your father, he said. 'I a,
sure he will be pleased with it."
| The girl placed her lantern close
the paper and read the following:
MY DEAR FATHER-lN-LAw (as you will I
when you read this)-Pardon the liberty
take In exchanging horses with you. I .
knowledge this Is horse Of another colo
still there Is not much difference. A you
was chestnut horse, the exchange IL but fai
for this is a horse chestnut 1t is the best le
aoy can leave you at present. coupled vii
the best wishes Of EDWARD Robin.
Polly could not help laughing at tn
display Of humor, but she was too keel
ly alive to the danger Of their positio
to indulge her merriment long.
"Come, Edward. !" she entreate
earnestly; ''let us hurry away from tn
place as fast as we can. We must M
have this elopement failure"
"But where is the bundle you wei
to bringf" he asked "You must NJ
forget that !"
"It is already in the chaise. I" vi
the answer.
"Then we will start at once.
With these words he assisted Pol
into the vehicle. and. mounting to Il
seat behind her. drove quickly out
the stable
"And now. " he said, as he urged Il
horse to trot 1.-THE question Is whe
are we to find dominief'
SIT would be better not to think
that now." answered Polly. sat leas
not until we are safe from pursuit
dare say we can find clergyman {
the other side of the mountains
So toward the mountains they mat
their way. driving the chestnut at
rapid gait At first the road afforded 9
excellent opportunity for the horse
display his good qualities. but as the
gradually drew nearer to the mountain
it became more and more rugged al