Sunday Washington globe., 1901-12-29

gree of respect thateuabled her to hear the
views Of the others, without being called
on to give her own in return
Silent and cautious, but with her keen
ears drinking ia every word that was
uttered, this mysterious woman moved
from one excited crowd to the other, never
betraying her interest in what was trans
piring, but keeuly alive to every word and
gesture.
AS the day advanced the interest in the
reading diminished considerably and the
audience fell away in little groups to their
employments, or perhaps to further discuss
the murder in their humble lodgings with
quart of beerOr pint of gin to help lend
additional flavor to so interesting subject.
When the last of the gathering had de-
parted from in front of Miss Bobbit's store,
Mother Rider purchased few household
necessaries and borrowing the paper from
Miss Bobbit, quickly made her way back to
her dwelling
We'll, " growled Ross, as the woman
entered theroom, what's the news1"
Bad enough, Joey" replied Mother
Rider, depositing her purchases upon the
table, and tossing the newspaper to the
man There's a terrible hue and cry raised
about this business aud the Allwine family
are offering large rewards for the capture of
the men who committed the crime
Do you think we are safe here for a few
daysl" nervously inquired Saunders, who
was sitting in a corner talking earnestly to
Alice Rider
AS safe here as anywhere else. answered
the woman, regarding the man searchingly,
but no one can tell just how soon the
police might strike a clue
Safe or not safe" surliiy broke in
Crimes we've got to stay here for few
days anyway unless we hear that they are
headed in this direction for sure, then we
will have to make the CRIB on the other
side of the river"
II guess Alice will have to hang about
the Allwine house with a basket of shoe
strings and other little notions tomorrow
or next day, and see what she can hear
faom the servants" said Mother Rider
glancing in that young lady's direction,
won't you, dearieP"
Il guess So" snappishly answered the
girl, as she resumed her conversation with
Saunders.
AS the elder woman busted herself with
preparing a meal for the quartet Ross.
with much labor, read the lurid account of
the murder from the newspaper After the
meal was disposed of consultation was
held as to the safest course to pursue.
1t was decided that the two women should
alternate in mingling with the crowd in the
different portions of the town and try to
pick up any information that might be of
service to the two men. If it became
necessary for the two men to leave their
present place of concealment, it was
agreed that they should flee to the other
place of refuge, which was located over on
Analostan Island, aud could be reached
either by means of the aqueduct bridge or
by rowing directly across the river from
the foot of Frederick street
Once on the island they could easily find
refuge until they were taken off by some
sloop that Mother Rider was to furnish for
that purpose.
When this matter had been thoroughly
discussed aud every one satisfied with the
plans of the movement, Mother Rider
dressed herself in a neat calico garment.
and putting on her sun bonnet aud SPOT
lessly clean aprou, took from a closet
small basket filled with collar buttons and
other trihing notions aud sailed out TO hear
what she could concerning the great crime
that was then agitating the good people of
Georgetown.
Alice Rider lighted the dim lamp in the
front part of the house, the room being used
as a seameus clothing shop, and with her
head buried in her hands leaned upon the
small rough counter, seemingly lost in
thought.
The two men bein- left to themselves
drew their chairs about the table, and while
Saunders arose and tried the fasteuings of
the window shutters, Ross took from the
mantel a greasy pack of cards and dealt out
two hands.
ITO be continued