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

months on false ACCUSATION. with the
assistance Of this honest girl" he con-
tinued. with wave Of the hand toward
Polly. ~ succeeded in making my
escape tonight. We are on our way to
get married. Mr.. Smith. and ! trust
you will not detain Us longer"
During this little speech the face Of
the Tory chieftain expressed amaze
ment, admiration and satisfaction by
turns and when Robin had finished he
grasped him warmly by the hand.
"Ye're q lad after my own heart,
sirl" he exclaimed warmly. "A young
ster who has the pluck not only to break
Jail. but to make of with his jailer's
darter commands my respect. III not
only help ye TO marry yer sweetheart.
my Lad. but I'll protect ye from the law
as weh Z"
Robin thanked him fervently. and
was on the point Of assisting Polly into
the chaise again when the Tory inter.
posed.
"Not 40 fast. my lad" he said. lay.
ing hand on his shoulder. "Ye must
remember that ye're now an outlaw
and not safe away from my protection.
II let ye drive of now, ven certainly
be captured, for Joe Westbrook will
raise the country round 10 bring back
his runaway darter. so ye'd better join
my band. lad. and live secure In the
mountains.
Robin hesitated. He fully realized
the truth Of the outlaws words and ap-
preciated the dangers that threatened
him. As nm escaped prisoner he knew
that he must henceforth lead the life OF
fugitive Notwithstanding that he Vas
innocent Of crime. As circumstances
had made him an outlaw why not ac-
cept his fatei On the other hand. con-
sideration for Polly urged him to pur-
sue different course. SO after brief
period Of reflection he replied TO the
bandit in these words:
81 thank you for your offer, Mr..
Smith, but am bound in honor TO
marry this GIRL therefore l must refuse
IL and trust to my own resources.
Without paying the slightest regard
10 his refusal the Tory turned to the
girl, saying:
IF We love this young spark. Polly
westbrook. yen urge him TO do rs
say. Remain here with me. and I'll see
that ye're married by parson. Then
We can live here without fear Of having
yer husband run down by the consta'
bles and landed back in Jail. I've more
than one cozy retreat in these noun
tains where ye can set up housekeeping
and live most romsntically together.
What say yer
Fear for her lovers safety influenced
Polly TO accept his advice.
II think we had better remain here,
Edward. and accept Mr.. Smiths kind
offer, I" she said. II know my father
well. and We could hardly hope to es'
cape him"
What You consent 10 become the
bride Of an outlaw - he asked.
Rather that than have You taken
from me and put back in the dreadful
JAIL" was the reply.
The truth was that the idea Of living
a wild. lawless life in the mountains
had appealed strongly TO the imagina-
ton Of the romantic girl from the first.
To become the wife Of bandit seemed
TO her fitting climax to her clandes-
tine courtship and elopement, and the
fact that this destiny was forced upon
her was sufficient to allay all her scru-
pies. As to Robin he argued that he had
no choice in the matter. He mnst either
become bandit or risk capture, sepa-
ration from his sweetheart and impris-
onment. The law had oppressed him.
and now he would bid it defiance.
II will join your band. Captain
smith," he said after pause. Now
conduct us to place where we can rest
without fear Of interruption.
The bandit appeared to be greatly
pleased at this decision, and immediate
ly started up the trail
take the nag by the bride and fol-
low me" he said.
The young man obeyed, and they all
three began clambering mp the rough
ascent, the bandit leading the way.
After proceeding about half mile, they
arrived at little clearing. where their
conductor bade Robin unharness the
horse. as they were now about to enter
the woods. When this was done, he led
them into thicket to the right and
pushed ahead 50 rapidly that they found
1t exceedingly difficult to keep up with
him.
At last they came to part Of the for
est where the scenery was chaotic. Huge
fragments Of rock lay tumbled together
on all sides-where they had evidently
been piled by some tremendous con-
vulsion Of nature-the whole forming
an impregnable stronghold in which
dozen men might bid defiance to thou
sand.
"I've snug little retreat up yon-
der, Z" said the bandit, pointing upward
TO the rocks "Ye'll be as safe there as
birds on q nest
With these words he conducted them
by way Of winding dizzy ascent to a
vast platform Of stone, and pushing
aside screen Of brambles revealed the
entrance to a cavern. As IL was by this
time broad daylight they could see that
the interior had been rendered quite
comfortable The floor was covered with
the furs ,of wild animals deerskins
kn11..