Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-02-10
CHAPTER XVI.

them his insulting limitations of the call Of
wood-piscons-"cooi COO! COO"
CHAPTER XVI.
Next morning Barbara entered the hall
after having seen about the duties of the
house, ordered dinner, weighed out spices
and groats, made the under-scrvant do the
work of Jane, who was absent; she moved
about her usual duties with her usual pre-
cision and order, but without her usual
composurc.
Jasper heard Mr.. Jordan calling him. so
he went TO his room. lie found the sick
gentleman with clouded brow and closed
lips. and eyes that CAV him furtivc
chances. but could not look him steadily.
jasper Babb," said Mr.. Jordan, II do
not wish you TO leave the house or its i'm
mediate precincts today. Jane has not
| returned. Eve is unreliable and Barbara
ovcrsirained."
Ives. sir, | will do a. you wish"
ION 10 account leave"
Jane Welsh did not return home until
evening drew OH. Barbara met her at the
| door.
"Plcasc. miss, l could not help myself"
she said. 'Your father sent Inc away on
II secret crrand last night. l found Joseph
| Woodman, and he said he must send for
the warders to identify the prisoner. Then.
miss, he said l was to wait till he had got
the warders and some c%onstables, aud
when they were ready to come OH l might
come. too, but not before. l slept at my
sisters last night"
"Wllere are the men now:"
''Ihey are about the house-some behind
hedges. some in the wood, some Oh the
down."
Barbara sluddcrcd.
please. miss, they have guns. And.
miss. l were to come on and tell the mas
ter that all MAS ready. and il he would
let them know where the man was they'd
trap him.
There is no man here but Mr.. Babb."
James face fell.
"I.awk, miss! If Joseph thought us had
been making games OF he. l believe he'd
never marry mc-and after going TO a
Love Feast with him, too! 'Twoull he
serious that, surely"
"Joscph has taken !, long time coming
Joseph takes things leisurcly. miss
Ills his nature. Us have been counting
time out o mind: and. please, miss. if the
man were here. then the master was to
give the signal by pulling the alarm bell.
Then the police and warders would close
in on the house and take him."
Barbara was as pale now as when near
ly f~ainting in the morning.
We'll. Miss Jordan. what is troubling
you:" asked Jasper, appearing suddenly
beside her. 1.-The house is surrounded.
Men are stationed about it. No one can
leave it without being challenged"
'Yes." said Barbara quickly. by the
Abbot's Well there run n path down be.
tween laurcls. then over IL stilc into the
wood. 1t is still possiblc-will you go?'
you do not trust me-"
II wish to-but--'
will you do one thing for meg"
She looked tilniily at him.
peal the alarm bell"
AS The bell changed Mr.. Jordan came out
of his door. He had been ordered to re-
main quiet and take 10 exercise; but now.
~leanin. OH his stick and holding the door
jalnb. he came forth.
what is this!' he asked. and .Jasper
put his hand to the rope to arrest the up
ward cast. why are you ringing, Bar
bara? Who told you to do soy
II babe her ring" said Jasper. 'to call
these" he pointed to the door.
Several constables were visible; fore
most came Joseph and Il prison wardcr.
''rike him." cried Mr.. Jordan. Among
the servants and laborcrs the young stew
ard was only known as Mr.. Jasper. why,
4 sir. this is-this is-Mr. Jasper!"
''Ihis is the man. said 1gnatius Jor-
dan. clinging to the door iamb and point
ing cXcitcdly with his stick-"this is the
man who robbed his own father of money
that was mine. This is the man who was
locked up in Jail and broke out, and, by
the mercy and justice of heaven, was cast
at my door,"
II beg your pardon. sin" said Joseph,
81 don't understand. This is your stew.
ard. Mr.. Jasper"
Take him, handcuff him before my
eyes. This is the fellow You have beer
in search of: ! deliver him up"
but. sir" said the wartler. ''you arc
wrong. This is not our escaped convict
"IIe is: l tell You I know he is."
81 am sorry to differ from you, sir. but
this is not he. l know which is which
i If he'd been with us he'd have a head like
a molc's back"
Not he!.' cried Mr.. Jordan frantically
II say to you this is Jasper Babb."
well. sir" said the wardcr. SORRY tc
differ. sir. but our man amt Jasper at all
he's Martini"
Then Joseph turned his light blue eyes
round in quest of Jane. '.Ill roast her,
I'll cat her." he muttered, "at the next
Love Feast"
The men went away much disappointed
grumbling, swearing. ili-appcascd by q
glass Of cider each: Jane sulked in tho
kitchen, and said to Barbara, ''This da,
month, please, miss"
Mr.. Jordan. COMPOUNDED. disappointed
crept back to his room and cast himself
ON his bed.
The only person in the house who cuu,t