Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-05

Snce or her ia ther. she dreaded the dis
closure that Wrinkle, in his anger. might
make with regard TO her intimacy with
Ronald; but the old gentleman paid no
heed to their innuendoes.
He certainly is foolhardy." he Joined
In; but to save me | can but admire
the fellows courage. Why" the colonel
snapped his fat fingers. "if he keeps
That sort of thing up. or tries TO inter-
fere when the man is caught, wouldn't
give pinch of snuff for his life. Some
chap like sgd Hart would draw bead
on him. and be proud of it till the end
of his days"
Then Mrs. Lancaster came and pu.
her arms round Evelyn's waist.
Don't act hastily, my dear" was her
whispered warning; and she drew the
girl TO the other end Of the veranda.
Don't you see what he wants?" she
asked; "he is trying to rouse your ia
Tiers suspicious"
About five o'clock the occasional
shouts in the swamp grew louder and
nearer, and into them was suddenly
blended the otnnous baying of dogs.
THE hounds" announced the
colonel, tragically.
And they arc out for business" glce-
fully added the captain; they are
headed this way"
Evelyn and Mrs. Lancaster stood lean
ing against the balustrade, their faces
towards the swamp.
Come inside, dear" said the latter.
1T will do no good to witness it,"
But our young lady only shook her
head.
After few minutes the shouting and
baying of the hounds died down. The
colonel gave it as his opinion that they
were of the track, but that it was only
question Of time before they would
catch the scent again.
Two hours passed. The sun sank be-
hAd the distant mountain peaks. The
sky beyond was as red as blood. The
wisps of clouds lying against the noun
tan-sides looked like glaciers. The
landscape took on a delicate veil of
gray. Objects in the distance began TO
assume vague shapes. The dark out
lines OF the swamp were fast merging
into the night.
They have been taking a zig-zag
course" proclaimed Hasbrooke from
his end Of the veranda. "Thc rascal
will be as timber as a rag when he is
freed. There are no two ways about it:
II S all up with him; the darkness will
not be in his favor; nothing but blood
will satisfy the fury of that mob"
DO you mean that the sheriff will
not be able to control them?" queried
Mrs. Lancaster, who had begun to walk
about nervously.
He'd haye to have a lot of backbone
to even fry it," answered her most.
He'd be knocked out like a straw in a
hurricane; murderers Of old women
stand no chance with these crude An
glo-Snxons."
thad grown dark, save for the light of
the moon. which had just risen aud
loomed up like huge contiagration be-
you'd the treetops. For Yet half an
hour only an Intermittent shout or the
sudden Outburst of barking was heard
from The swamp. bur each time the
- ''N '-i'"' ''"' a. ~
"H'I'lpaHhS MS master DESIRES drove
'ou.'" '"c ho''t. ana 'r"P'
"a good idea" approved he colonel;
s'htrIuen' we iIieh' as wei get near
''' '"'Hh MO" "Here lucy Will
'o"1e OUT
ny all means! erred the captain,
with enthusiasm. He was the first 10
get seat III the venice, ana was 1ol-
Io"cd by ms most ana Mr.. Hardy.
"h"h the Trap had gone MISS Has
proo"e re'Ired 20 her room with some
complaining aIIusion to her nerves, and
i'V'.I Il arc M'S. Lancaster remained on
'he'ernnda. guarded onI y by the old ne
gro "h" stood IKE II sentry on duty at
the 1901 OF the steps
'oo' Mrs Lancaster exclaimed Ev-
eiyn' i feel as II he is going into dan
Rer-'h"f they VIII XII him.
for moment 'he o!d woman made
no response. ana when she dld IT was
VAIN evident emotion.
u pray God that he may not be
harmed. Her tone was almost
prayer IN ltseil.
he bay ing and shouting were now
very near. HaIt mlie away torch
iEAts IKE hre1iIeS began 10 lit along
th' swamp me lIne OF men was now
III me open Ihey seemed TO be headed
!" o"' oi.'c''o"' ana II was not many