Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-08-12
]Come on, Abel" he shouted as he

Come on, Abel" he shouted as he
went.
Abel made dash to follow, but he only
struck his face against the muzzle Of a
pistol, and the head constable held on.
There ws- rush aftes Bart, but it was
needless, for the great, stolid fellow had
seen the state of affairs, and come back.
"All right, Abel, lad" he growled: 81
won't leave you in the lurch. What's it
mean-iock-upT
Yes, my lad: charge Of attempted muir
der and robbery said the head consta-
bic.
Abel was gazing fereely at his sister,
who met his angry eyes with an imploring
look.
and my own sister, too, Bart" he
said, bitterly. I'VE fought for her, lad,
and she gave information to the police"
-No, no. no, Abelr' cried Mary, run
ming to him to fling her arms about his
neck; but he gave her a rough thrust
which sent her staggering back, and her
countenance changed on the instant, for
her eyes flashed vindictively, and she
stood before him with folded arms.
Prisoner confessed in the presence Of
you all that he committed the act" said
the constable: and his words were receiv-
ed with a mutter of assent. in chorus.
Mary stood with her arms folded across
her breast and her brow wrinkled while
the party moved out of the cottage; but
the next instant the scene which follow
ed made her rush outside and gaze wildly
with eyes dilated and breast heaving, and
her hands now clasped as she watched
the chase.
For as the little party stood outside,
Bart still with his hand upon his COM
panion's shoulder, Abel said quickly:
''The boat Rum
Bart was, as a rule, rather slow of COM
prehension; but at that moment the same
idea was filing his mind. That is to say,
it was already charged, and Abel's words
were as so many sparks struck from steel
to fire that charge. Consequently, as the
young fellow struck the constable to the
left, Bart did the same TO the right, and
they dashed off as one man toward where,
just round the western point of rock
which helped to form the little bay. they
knew that their boat was lying, swing
ing with the tide to a grapnel lying on
the sands.
They'll escape-they'll escaper' cried
Mary, clapping her hands joyously.
They'll get to the boat; the sails in,
and there's a good breeze. oh, if | were
only with themw
A sudden thought struck her, and she
caught up sun-bonnet from where it lay
on the open window sill.
'I'll CO." she thought They'll sail
west. l could reach Mallow's Cove across
the fields, and signal TO them. They'd
come in and would pick me up, and we
could escape together far. far from here"
All this with her cheeks flashing, her
handsome eyes sparkling. and her breast
rising and falling in the height of her
emotion.
Then change came over her. Her
eyes looked heavy; her forehead wrinkled
again.
Escape! Where?" she said, half
aloud I'D gladly go-away from all
this torture; but they think | betrayed
them, and would not come I'M
The elasticity was gone out of her step,
as she slowly climbed the face of the
huge scarped rock which lowered above
the cottage-a risky ascent, but one to
which she was, as 1t were, born; and,
with her eyes fixed upon the pursuers and
the fugitives, she trusted to her hands
and feet to take her safely to the top,
passing spot after spot where one unused
to climbing would have stopped and turn
ed back, SO giddy was the ascent. High
er and higher, past clinging ivy, fern and
clusters of yellow ragwort, with patches
of purple heath and golden gorse, till the
further side of the rocky point was open
ed out, with the boat lying like speck
afioat beyond the line of foam.
Mary paused there with her sun-bon.
net in her hand to watch the result; but
there was no exultation in her eyes, only
look of stony dependency, for from
where she stood she could see rcw that
the effort Of her brother and lis compan-
ion was in vain.
The pursuers were nov all together,
and settled down to a steady trot, which
pace they increased as Bart and Abe
reached the rocks, ard, instead of going
right round, began to climb over some
fifty yards from where the water washed
the point.
Were too many for him this time,
Bart, my lad" cried Abel. you weren't
hit, were you?"
Hit? No. Shot never went within
mile of me-"
"Then why are you dowsing you- jih
like thatT
II were a-thinking about she, mate
said Bart, in low growl.
Curse her for a woman all overw said
Abel ''They take to a man, and the
more he i'll uses 'em they fight for him
the more"
SAY, lad; but to think of her putting
them on to us! 1t don't seem like shs.''
TO Dn cpntinued.l