The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-16
WHEN HEARTS WERE
BRAVE, AND TRUE.
JOHN p. RITTER.
CHAPTER w.
Copyright 1899, by the Author.

TRODUCED.
Fully believing the fellow to be one
of party of pursuers sent to recapture
him. Edward Robin was overcome by
despair. If he had been alone. he would
not have hesitated to take desperate
chance of escape by attempting to ride
him down. but Polly's presence render
ed such course impossible. He would
willingly have risked his own life. but
felt that he had no right to endanger
hers. So throwing the reins upon the
horses back and raising his arms above
his head to show that he was unarmed
he called out to the man:
"Don't shootl I'll give upl'
At this the stranger lowered his rifle.
and advancing to the side of the chaise
said grufflyl
"Ye've kept me waiting long time
for this charnce, Joe Westbrook. but
I've got ye at larst. I"
Robin looked down at him bewilder-
edly.
"Comel' continued the speaker in
peremptory tones. "Out with vel I've
had my eye on that chestnut nag Of
yer'n n for long time. and now mean
to take 1t.
Realizing that it would be useless to
parley. Robin leaped out upon the
ground and then assisted his companion
to alight
'It's pretty hard on me. my friend,
he said bitterly, ''to be dragged back to
the Goshen jail after getting so far
away from it. However. if you treat
this poor girl kindly. I'll not complain. :"
The man turned toward him in aston
ishment
"Why, blarst my eyesi' he exclaim-
ed "Ye're not Joe Westbrook after
all.
81 never claimed to be-. answered
the young man.
"Then who be YER
"a poor fellow whom you would as
sist. if you had heart" Polly inter
posed warmly.
The man turned to her with an
amused chuckle.
"And what may pretty Polly West
brook be ADDING up here in the noun
tains along with a stranger and hel
fathers nag7" he asked gayly.
The girl made no answer.
"Oh. I reckon 1 understand ye,
case, my gal" he continued ''Ye're
running away with this lad to git mar
ried. Why it's quite romantic. 1 de
clarel''
While speaking he looked from one
to the other with an amused. patroniz
ing air, and then went on:
| ssWo11 Claudiua Smith 10 not fh.
kind Of man to part true lovers. spe
cially when their courting is objection.
able to q mortal enemy"
Claudius Smith
On hearing this name pronounced tht
lovers exchanged terrified glances, fo
it was that Of a notorious bandit chief
tain, who. espousing the. British caus
at the outbreak of the Revolution, hat
devastated the entire Shawangunk re
gion with his band of robbers ever since
Realizing that the surest way of engag
ing the sympathies of such man wa
to acknowledge himself an outlaw
Robin no longer hesitated to reveal tn,
truth
"H you are indeed the renowned
leader. Claudius Smith," he said, SO
am sure you will befriend me. My nam
. is Edward Robin. and l have jus
escaped from the Goshen Jail, where
have been confined for many Ions
months on a false accusation With tn
assistance of this honest girl. " he con
tinued. with wave of the hand towart
! Polly. II succeeded in making m,
escape tonight We are on our way t.
get married. Mr.. Smith. and I trus
you will not detain us longer ="
During this little speech the face o
the Tory chieftain expressed amaze
= ment. admiration and satisfaction b.
d turns. and when Robin had finished b
?; grasped him warmly by the hand
"Ye're a lad after my own heart
I sirl" he exclaimed warmly. IA young
ster who has the pluck not only to breal
Jail, but to make off with his jailer'
darter commands my respect. I'll no
only help ye to marry yer sweetheart
my lad, but I'll protect ye from the Law
as we'll
Il Robin thanked him fervently, an
was on the point of assisting Polly int
the chaise again when the Tory inter
posed
II "Not 80 fast. my lad, he said. lay
j ing hand on his shoulder. ''Ye mus
remember that ye're now an OUTLAY
and not safe away from my protection
If let ye drive off now, yell certainl
be captured. for Joe Westbrook wi
raise the country round to bring bac
his runaway darter. So ye'd better joi
nv hand lad and live secure in th
Q, mountains.
n, Robin hesitated He fully realize
Or The truth of the outlaw 8 words and al
e preciated the dangers that threatene
him. AS an escaped prisoner he kne'
that he must henceforth lead the life
fugitive notwithstanding that he ws
. innocent of crime. AS circumstance
had made him an outlaw why not a.
cept his fate2 On the other hand. col
sideration for Polly urged him to pul
sue different course So after bril-
~ period Of reflection he replied to IL
Y bandit in these words
" II thank you for your offer. M
Smith. but l am bound in honor
marry this girl; therefore l must refu
at 1t and trust to my own resources.
IT'S Without paying the slightest regal
rs, to his refusal the Tory turned to Il
no girl, saying:
cd ''If ye love this young spark Pol
Westbrook. ye'n urge him to do as
l.