The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-14
POLLY RESORTS TO STRATEGY.
CHAPTER vi.


During Polly's absence Robin had
been summoned to join the outlaws in
glade where they had previously
gone to prepare their horses, 90 that
when she returned to the cave 1t was
deserted. Knowing that he was to ac-
company the expedition, however, she
OWNED the reason for his absence. and
sat down on couch Of bearskins to
ponder.
A hundred wild projects to outwit
the bandits purposes hurried one after
another through her. mind. but oil were
impracticable and had to be abandoned.
She began to despair, and then terri
BILE apprehension seized upon her.
What If Claudius Smith should put
his diabolical scheme in execution be-
fore she could invent Plan to thwart
it,
She was aware that Caleb Shurker
had been the cause Of her lovers i'm
prisonment and that his wife had aban-
doDed Robin for the old miser at
time when he was languishing in Jail
on her account. But as these wrongs
had been the means Of turning his
heart to her, Polly harbored no i'll feel
ings toward them. In fact. she pitied
Zadie profoundly for having sacrificed
herself to the commands of her tyrant
father, and, now that she was threaten
ed with disaster, was ready to run any
risk to save her.
But how could this be accomplished
In vain had she endangered to devise
means. Indeed the more she reflected
on the problem the greater became her
bewilderment, until at last the utter
hopelessness and helplessness Of her po-
sition inspired her to take a desperate
chance
Her plan was to make catspaw Of
Richard Smith. She knew that the out
law loved her in his brutal way and
hoped that she might persuade him to
assist her by pretending to return his
affection.
1.-THE wretch is far too stupid to sus-
pect me, she reasoned, and will will.
ingly lend himself to my purposes. I
only hope the expedition will not start
until have had chance to try him."
So, hastily throwing shawl over her
shoulders, che left the cavern and cross
ed the platform toward the place Of
council. She observed that the confer
ence had just come to an end, as the
officers were dispensing in various di-
rections. She observed further and
the sight made her heart beat quickly
that Richard Smith was advancing
in her direction and that he was alone.
"Out for stroll, my fair charmera"
he inquired as he drew near
Eyes; l have come out to see your
expedition start, " she answered, with
a pleasant smile.
"Oh, we shall not leave until after
dark" said the outlaw.
"And then she returned timidly,
II suppose 7 will be left alone to the
mercy Of wild beasts. -
"Ye need have no fear on that
score" returned the outlaw, with
coarse laugh. IA guard will be left be-
hind to protect ye.
"You are very kind, am sure" said |
Polly demurely. Then, with an air Of
well feigned anxiety. she asked earnest
ly, "1s it true that my companion is
going on this expedition
''Do you mean your lover2" This
with scowl.
The girl pretended to be annoyed at
the question and answered scornfully:
my lover, indeed am tired Of his
love, In fact, since have been in this
place l have seen that he is not the
only man in the world worth loving"
Here she dropped her eyes modestly
1pon the ground
whats that ye sayf' cried the out
aw e1citedly. aye don't love Roblinf
Ieve seen another more to your
'ancy2"
Polly laid her little hand gently upon
lis arm and beaming upon him coquet-
ishly answered:
Eyes; have seen man here whom
would marry tomorrow If he would
'nly help NE to escape from Edward
2oblin."
The outlaws face became livid with
passion.
"Who is he? His name2" he cried
n choked voice.
She drew back from him in alarm,
tut, quickly controlling this feeling, re.
lied with an air of assumed confusion