Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-26

disappear among the shadows Wnen
from the other direction a man sud
denly appeared, running and out Of
breath.
He was a port1y individual, and as
he came up to where JOB was stand
ing the latter recognized him as the
fat constable he had seen that day
haranguing The people before his
house.
"Now we are in for it," muttered
he to himself. Here is the law in
search of the prisoner"
The fat man drew up with a gulp
and a gasp and mopped his red face
wildly with his handkerchief.
''1ou seem to be excited, friend, =
said Job, soothingly.
Excited? Well, [ guess be-"
Then, looking Hendricks over from
head TO foot: "I'm the town con-
stable, and I'm lookin' for a man
what hes skipped from Jail"
''Sure of it?''
GLOW sure of it? Didn't he knock
the bars out, the murderous young
villain? Next time I get hold of him
he shan't have no more privileges"
There was man just passed by
here on a rum" said Job. thinking
of ruse that would give the school
teacher a respite until he could find
out what his plans were.
'Slim fellow in light coat?"
"Just so, and dark trousers. Come
out of the house minute ago." jerk
ing his thumb in the direction of the
lawyers cottage.
''Must be the very man, and which
way did he go?"
Hendricks pointed in the direction
the other visitor at the cottage had
taken.
The constable sighed and mopped
his brow vigorously
''Phew! This is a job I amt no
likin' fur. And that it shu'd happen
to the only gentleman criminal we
ever had to town. Well, so long,
stranger, and thank you kindly"
Then, with mighty groan, he set
Off on run in the direction pointed
out. Job could not resist a laugh
at the grotesque figure the man
made as he disappeared in the night.
He turned just in time to see young
Barnett come out through the gate.
For a moment the latter hesitated,
and then, recognizing his visitor in
the moonlight, advanced:
What, are you still here?" he
asked, rather testify.
cna,ooc +ho+ r xx,o g.
just in time to save you from being
captured"
What do you mean?'
Job told him of his meeting with
the constable and how he had sent
that worthy off on the trail of an
other man.
well, you are wonder" replied
Dick, at the same time puzzled that
stranger had twice that day put
him under obligations. "Still the
poor man might as we'll have taken
me now as later"
II wanted you to have all the time
possible for your talk. It may be
that you will not have the chance
again SO soon."
Barnett's face fell and he became
more serious.
You think, then, it will go hard
with me for taking leave as I did,"
"No doubt of it, but why go back?
You might remain in hiding until
your name is cleared Of the CHARGE"
But the other shook his head.
mo, no; that would look as if I
were guilty. Come, I think I can
slip back to the improvised cell, re-
store the bars and pretend that I
have never been away from it. I
dare say that the good Mr.. Blivens
will be so delighted to see me that
he will not care to make the matter
public"
eff you trusted to me, you might
never need to go ba ck," said Job.
'You are kind, but / think | shall
be acting for the best part in going
back. 1t will appear in my favor
should it become known that / could
have freed myself, and yet remained
a prisoner" Then, before Hendricks
could reply, Barnett turned and
made off in the direction of his tenn
porary prison.
Good stuff in that young chap"
muttered Job, as he watched the
slight figure disappear in the dark.
Justice will be blind, indeed, if she
errs in dealing with such an honest
and right-minded man as that"
AS he turned away light ap-
peared in the upper window of the
house, and for moment the figure
of a woman was outlined on the
opaq he curtain. He stood there with
clasped hands watching the silhou
cite, motionless, for an hour or
more, and then turned with sigh
to seek his bed at the Bluebel1.
CHAPTER X