Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-07-26
ESTABLISHED 1866.
Copyright, 1899, by the Author.
CHAPTER III.
AN E1oPEMENr THAT SUCCEEDED.

AN ELoPEMENT THAT SUCCEEDED.
The clumsy hands of the great wood
en- clock in Joe Westbrook's kitchen in
dicated a few minutes before midnight
when Polly crept stealthily into the
room. By the light of lantern she
carried it could be seen that shawl
was thrown over her shoulders and that
her head was covered with bonnet
almost Midnight she exclaimed
in a whisper as she cast frightened
glance up at the clock. II am late and
have no time to spare But how my
heart beatsI The thing seemed easy in
the planning. But now l doubt if l
have courage to do it
Here she gave terrified start. for she
thought she heard her father calling her.
But it was only the mournful wailing
of an owl outside. Waiting until she
had recovered from her terror. she set
the lantern down on table and tip
toed to the door opposite the hearth.
which opened into her father bedcham-
Der. AS she placed her hand upon the
knob she hesitated. trembling at the
thoughts that occurred to her.
"What if my father should awakep
she reflected What if he should dis
cover me in the act of stealing his keysl
Oh. it is too dreadful to think oil In
deed had better stop just where I am. "
A shudder passed through her body,
and she was on the point of returning
b. Lor xx-hay, tha fhnn crhf that her
lover was expecting her inspired her
with renewed courage.
mo, will not turn back" she NUT
tered. as she slowly opened the door:
my dear Edwards freedom. nay, his
very life depends upon my bravery, and,
no matter what happens, I will not fail
him
Having come to this resolution she
cautiously crept into the apartment. 1t
was utterly dark. She paused a moment
to make sure that her father was sleep
ing and, hearing his heavy breathing,
began to 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 coat9
She began a careful search Of the
room to find out and at last discovered
it hanging from the bedpost at his head.
She was now so near him that she could
distinguish the vague outlines of his
recumbent form in the darkness, and
again her heart beat fast with appre-
hension.
"Now or never!' she exclaimed in
wardly.
Stretching forth her hand with cat
like stealthiness, she began to search
the pockets one by one. 1t was not un-
til she had groped in several of them
that she finally found the keys. and
then an unfortunate thing happened.
AS she was in the act Of drawing them
forth they slipped from her fingers and
fell to the floor with sharp ringing
sound.
"Who's there9"
It was the voice of her father. He
had raised himself up on an elbow and
was apparently listening intently. Pol
" drew herself back from the hedpost
and remained as silent and motionless
as a statue. She was literally frozen
with terror.
A few moments of agonizing sus-
pense followed, and then her father
turned over on his side and quickly re-
lapsed into slumber.
Waiting until she was sure 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 the
"grief hole.
"What makes you so late, Polly?
he whispered.
"Oh, please don't ask me-. she re-
piled in a voice half stifed with emo
tion. 81 have had terrible fright. but
cannot tell you about it 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 at 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 a stately horse chestnut tree.
from which large branch had recently
been broken. On his way to the stable
Robins eye CHANGED to fall upon the
limb, and an idea occurred to him.
"Polly," he said laughingly. lit
would be hardly fair for US to take your
fathers horse without offering him
some compensation. so intend making
fair exchange with him.
While speaking he shouldered the dis
severed branch and carried it into the
building
"What do you intend doing with
that broken bough, EdwardT' asked
the girl in tones of wonder.
"You will see presently" he replied.
with difficulty suppressing his mirth
"Wkile I'm Harvesting the horse. Polly.
try to find me a 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