Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-12


was utterly dark. She paused n moment
~ make sure that her father was sleep
ing and. hearing his heavy breathing.
began 10 creep forward again.
She was aware that he always kept
the keys To the cells in his coat pocket.
But where had he hung his coat,
She began careful search Of the
room 10 find ont and at last discovered
IL hanging from tho bedpost at his head.
She was now SO near him that she could
distinguish the vagne outlines OF his
recumbent form in the darkness. and
again her heart beat fast with appre-
hension.
Now or neverr' she exclaimed in
wardly.
Stretching forth her hand with cat
like stealthiness, she began to search
the pockets one by one II was not un-
I'll she had groped in several OF them
that she finally found the keys. and
then an unfortunate thing happened.
As she was in the net Of drawing them
forth they slipped from her fingers and
fell 20 the floor with n sharp ringing
sound
"who's thersr'
Il was the voice Of her father. He
had raised himself up ON an elbow and
was apparently listening intcntly. Pol
ly drew herself back from the bedpost
end remained as silent and motionless
as a statue. She was literally frozen
with terror.
A few moments Of agoniIing sus-
pense followed. and then her father
turned over on his side and quickly re-
lapsed into slumber.
Waiting until she was Sire 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 tho
''grief hole
what makes you % late, Pollyr
be whispered.
"Oh, please don't ask me, she re-
piled in a voice half stiAed with emo
ton. II have had a terrible fright. but
cannot tell you about il 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 door
open. Robin could scarcely restrain .
cry Of delight when he found himself
once more Mt liberty. he followed Polly
through the corridor to the Jail door
and from thence across the yard to her
fathers stable Close TO this building
stood stately horse chestnut tree.
from which large branch had recently
been broken. On his way to the stable
Robins eye chanced to fall upon the
limb. and an idea occurred to him.
polly" he said laughingly, ''it
would be hardly fair for us to take your
fathers horse without Offering him
some compensation. 30 intend making
q fair exchange with him"
While speaking be shouldered the dis
severed branch and carried il into the
building.
"what do you intend doing with
that broken bough, Edwardf" asked
the girl in tones Of wonder.
"You will zee presently. he replied.
with difficulty suppressing his mirth.
ssWhile I'm Harvesting 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 few
minutes, she found everything ready
for their departure on her return. Her
lover took the writing materials she
had brought him and. making desk
Of barrel head. proceeded to write q
letter to the jailer. When 1t was nm
ished, he fastened it to the chestnut
bough, tied the letter in the stall from
which he had just taken tho horse and
beckoned Polly TO his side.
81 want you to zee what have
written your father" he said II am
sure he will be pleased with it.
The girl placed her lantern close to
the paper and read the following:
NJ DEAR FArnER-iN-LAw tss you will be
when you read this)-Psrdon the liberty
take In exchanging horses with you. &C.
knowledge this 10 horse OF another color
still there Il not much difference. A yours
was chestnut horse, the exchange IL but fair,
for this Ia horse chestnut. II u the best leg
scy can leave you at present, coupled with
the best wishes Of EDWARD hobLiH.
Polly could not help laughing at this
display of humor. but she was too keen
" alive to the danger OF their position
to indulge her msrriment long
"Come, Edward" she entreated
earnestly; ''let rs hurry away from this
place as fast a. We can. We must not
have this elopement failure.
s.But where is the bundle you were
| 20 bringf' ha asked. "Y0u must NOT
forget that. :"
at is already In the chaise." va
the answer.
"Then We win start at once.
With these words he assisted Folly
| into the vehicle. and. mounting TO the
seat behind her. drove quickly out o.
the stable
"And now" he aid, - b urged the
| horpe 10 Z trok 'sthe question y where
J aro ve y 6nd . demaaaef'