Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-26
CHAPTER XVI.
WHITTIER.

CHAPTER XVI.
WHITTIER.
A few hours later coppery sur
slowly dispersed the morning mists
above the Thames. The same sur
/ warmed the court yards of the Londor
Jail, which lately had confined Johr
Law, convicted of the murder Of Beau
Wilson, gentleman. 1t was discovered
that the said John Law had, in some
superhuman fashion, climbed the
spiked walls of the inner yard. The
jailer pointed out the very spot where
this act had been done. It was not SC
plain how he had passed the outer
gates of the prison, yet those were moi
wanting who said that he had over
powered the turnkey at the gate, taken
from him his keys, and SO forced his
way out into London city.
Far and wide went forth the procla-
nation of reward for the apprehension
OF this escaped convict.
Yet though the authorities of the
law made full search in London, and
indeed in other of the principal cities
of England, they got no word Of the
escaped prisoner.
The clouded dawn which broke over
the Thames below the Pool might have
told its own story. There sat upon
the deck of the good ship Polly Green
way, outbound from Thames mouth.
this same John Law. He regarded
idly the busy scenes of the shipping
about him. His gaze. dull and listless.
looked without Joy upon thedawn, with
out inquiry upon the far horizon. For
the first time in all his life John Law
dropped his head between his hands.
Not SO Mary Connynge. Good sir,''
cried she, merrily, "'tis morning.
Let's break our fast, and so set forth
on our voyage"
"Sa now we are Free" said Law.
DULY. II could swear there were
shackles on me-
aYes, We are free,' said Mary Con-
Rynge, 'and all the world is before us.
But saw you ever in all your life a
man SO dumfounded as was Sir Arthur
when he discovered twas I, and not
the Lady eatharine. had stepped into
the carriage? That confusion of the
carriages was like to have cost us
everything. know not how your
brother made such mistake. He said
he would fetch me home the night.
Gemtni! 1t sure seems long way
about! And where may be your
brother now, or Sir Arthur, or the
Lady Catharine-why, tbs as much
confused as though 'twere all in q
play!"
But Sir Arthur cried that my ship
was for France. Yet here they tell me
that this brigantine is bound for the
mouth of the st. Lawrence, in Amer
lea! What then of this other, and
what Of my brother what Of us-what
Eff"
'Why, think this" said Mary Con-
pynge, calmly, THAT you do very well
to be rid of London Jail; and for my
own part, It's rare appetite the salt
air ever gives met"
Upon the same morning tide there
was at this very moment just setting
aloft her sails for the first high airs
OF dawn the ship of McMasters, the Pol
~ Perkins, bound for the port of Brest.
She came down scarce half-dozen
cable lengths behind the craft which
bore the fugitives now beginning their
journey toward another land Upon
the deck of this ship, even as upon
the other, there were those who waited
eagerly for the dawn. There were
two men here, Will Law and Sir Arthur
Pembroke, and whether their CONVEX
sation had been more eager or more
angry, were hard to tell. viii Law,
Proken and detected, his heart torn BY
q thousand doubts and a THOUSAND
pains. sat listening, Though but halt
eemprehendipg.
aEvery plan gone wrong!" cried Sir
Arthur. Every plan gone wrong, and
gut Of 1T all we can only say that he
has escaped from prison for whom no
prison could be enough Of hell! Though
he be your brother, tell 1t to your
face. the gallows had been too good for
John Law! Look you below. See that
girl, pure as an angel, as noble and
generous soul as ever breathed-what
hath she done to deserve this fate?
You have brought her from her home,
and to that home she cannot now re-
turn unsmirched. And all this for a
man who is at this moment fleeing
with the woman she deemed her
friend! What is there left in life for
herr"
Will Law groaned and buried his
own head deeper in his hands. what
is there left for any Of us?" said he.
What is there left for me?"
For your" said Sir Arthur, ques-
tioningly.n why, the next ship back
from Brest, or from any other port of
France. IT'S somewhat different with
a weman::'' is En'
"You do not understand" said Will
Law. 'The separation means some
what for ME-" :
Surely YOU DO not mean-you have
no reference 70 Mary Connynge?.
Cried Sir Arthur" -
VIII bowed his head ahjeotly and
left the other to guess that which sat
llpan HIS mind Sir rthur drau, n