The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-05-02
IN DEATHS PROTECTION
A Scrap In the Past Life Of Q
Prominent Man.


A heavy, wet sea fog, out of which
guns thundered.
Convict escaped" muttered the people
in the villages, most of them with hope
that he might get clear away.
Through the driving mist, which was
now turning to rain, man approached
the house. Above the lower windows a
heavy string course ran. 1t gave him
an idea. There were but few more
minutes of daylight left. II he could
climb up there, he would be safe for the
next eight hours or SO. He thought 1t
seemed possible. There were water
spout and some fairly stout vines Of Vir-
ginia creeper. The voices came nearer.
He sprang forward and after a minute
of wild exertion lay full length upon the
', stone ledge, painting for breath.
The voices were close by. He had
been just in time.
A pealing ring at the doorbell, then ST.
lent waiting. The man on the ledge lis
tened, holding his breath.
Nov, young woman, who lives here"
"Mrs. Murray, officer. Will you kindly
speak soft!"
Then mans voice.
whats this-what do you want?"
Want enough, sir. One of the con.
victs escaped this afternoon and was
traced here"
"Herew
eyes, sir; seen only few minutes ago.
1 must come in, please, and search the
house."
"rhat you can't do. My mother lies
dangerously ILL.," H.. 4,
Afraid we must, though" ;..yEi#Iss.
Then another voice.
"Ah, Sergeant Makepace! Look here,
it's impossible, you know. shan't allow
you In without search warrant. I
wouldn't answer for my patients life.
Mrs. Murray is dangerously ill-dying. l
fear"
swell, DR.. Stewart, you see, sir, it's
serious business--and you a magistrate"
Eyes, Makepace, and for that reason I
tell you to get warrant, II you can.
Why, man, the prisoner wouldn't be such
fool as to come here
II don't know, sir. They generally runs
into some silly place Oh other. Besides,
he was seem
'Ah, well, you'll have to stay outside
the door, and that's all about it. If we
find him inside, why, we shall know
what to do with him."
The doctor could not have explained
what made him hesitate in the middle of
his speech. An absurd ghost Of IN idea
had crossed his mind that the wretched
convict might have hidden there after all.
The sergeant and his men turned re-
luctantly away as the door closed softly
behind them. Night had fallen, and the
thick drizzle made it dark as Hrave.
"He'l be off, sure as gGh. Well
search the outhouses and keep a watch
anyhow. This rain hasn't been falling
long enough to soften the ground.
There'll be no tracks to follow. III get
warrant, though"
As they walked away the hunted crea-
ture Oh the ledge gave breath of relief
and letting his head lie on his arms,
heard through the silence of the night
the soft hiss of the rain as it fell all
around him. At any rate, he had time
for consideration. For half an hour he
lay there in the darkness, his head buried
in his arms, perfectly secure, and thank
full for the breathing space. He was
thinking hard what lie should do next.
The soft, warm summer drizzle enveloped
him and melted him to the skin. At last
it began to chill him. In discomfort he
raised himself from his warm place and
shivered. A ray Of light shot out into
tho do al. in nf hip,--n txyinIn1yf
lie crcpt toward it, then, cautiously rails
ing his head, he peered in. An empty
bedroom-a mans room by the garments
hanging on the door. He might climb in
and steal suit Of clothes! 1t was
easement window and Unmatched. He
had almost screwed his nerve up to this
venture when he heard voice. Another
window had been opened farther along.
He shrank against the wall. The voices
ceased.
"I'll sec who they are," he said, and
again he crept onward. With infinite care
he raised his head, and found he could
look right into the room past the edge of
the blind. Two men stood with their
backs toward him. They were looking
down upon some one In bed. They spoke
in low murmurs. Presently the younger
turned SO that his side face came into
view. The watcher, with sudden gasp,
shrank back.
Chris" he whispered, astounded.
"What was that? Did you hear?"
"No, heard nothing" said the doctor.
"What is it" murmured the sick wo-
man.
Nothing, mother. But I fancied
heard some one call Chris"
The man outside had again laid himself
fiat on the stone ledge. He was trying to
gather his scattered wits.
Chris. BY all that's mcrcful they've
come here to be near me! That man at
the door said Mrs. Murray was i'll. Can
It be mother under false name? II so
I'm safe!'
For sudden illumination had come. He
had decided what to do.
He crept backward to the window into
which he had first looked.
"By George! III chance 1t, anyhow"
he said arAi listeninp a moment raised