Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-01-27

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wood behind him, but there was nc
| sign of them where he stood.
Ahead he could just descry dark
mass of buildings, big house, and a
| wood beyond. He ran across the
meadow, the vivid lightning showing
up his dark OVERLOOKED and accoutered
figure against the sickly green of the
grass. He heard shout and horses
feet thudding over the turf Hot and
GREATNESS. weighed down by the weight
OF the gold he carried, he ran, stun
| bling In his haste, in and out amone
the farm buildings and the stacks
until he found himself under the walls
| of the house.
There was no sign of life on the side
on which he stood, but there was a
great wisteria growing all over the
wall, and framed in the thick foliage
he saw window.
He swung himself up with cat-like
agility and clambered over the sill.
Something stirred within and at that
instant a vivid fash of lightning IL
Illuminated the whole room. Then there
was darkness. Kit had seen a small
bed chamber, all dark, shining oak and
stfh, white hangings, little white bed,
with the curtains partly drawn, a
young girls face peering anxiously
forth.
What the girl saw was q young
man kneeling in the middle of the
room. a white. scared face, surrounded
by long, tangled, dark hair.
Kit bent down until the hand that
Neld his sword rested on the floor.
For Gods sake, betray me mott"
he said in a whisper, shrill in it's in
tense entreaty. Hide me. Let me
hide myself here. l am pursued by
soldiers. bear dispatches and money
for the king, and must mott dare
not fall into the hands of those men!"
Poor Kits agonized appeal and his
imploring attitude would have touched
a heart less sympathetic than that Of
this Puritan maiden.
Stay there awhile" she ordered,
and discreetly drew the curtains
There was short interval. Kit knelt
motionless, listening to the tramping
to and fro of the soldiers in the gar
den, to movements in the house down
stairs, and to rustling behind the
curtains of the bed.
After moment or two the maiden
reappeared, partly dressed and covered
in long gray cloak.
She lighted a candle and drew the
curtains over the window. There is
only one hiding place l can think Of"
she said, softly-"this closet where my
dresses hang. See, it runs uueerly
back in that corner, sir. I trust they
Will not search this room, but you
must be still, for fear it is my
brothers troop that is seeking you. |
hear his voice below stairs. Hush.
Some one comes!"
She shut the cupboard door unon
him and moved away on tiptoe.
Kit had barely recovered his scat
.ered self-possession when footsteps
were heard in the passage outside the
chamber door.
A mans voice called out: "Are YOU
stirring in there, Charity?"
Then the door was opened, and. as
we'll as Kit could judge, two men en-
tered.
What are you about, grip said one.
whom by his voice Kit put down as an
old man. why are you clad thus,
and why is your candle alight? Me-
thinks darkness is best for the head
ache"
Il could not sleep because of the
storm, father" said the girl. II have
only just lighted the candle. IL was
about-to read awhile to drown nv
foolish fears"
Daughter Charity" said the old
Puritan, with awful severity, 1--WE are
searching for malignant who hath
concealed himself hereabouts. Hast
thou seen or heard anything of this
MANI"
Il heard the soldiers in the garden,
father"
"She must have been asleep, SIR
said mans voice. UNLESS the men
mistook the room. But old Duncombe,
who knOWeth the house as we'll as you
do, swears he saw the fellow climbing
over the sill of my sisters window"
"Ay, ay, he was a beautiful faced
young reprobate, and so my lady must
needs take compassion on him. That
Is the story, fancy" said the old man,
and he gave bitter chuckle that sent
a shiver of disgust through the listen
ing Kit.
But if he is hidden here we will
soon have him out. Search the room,
Godfrey"
while you are wasting your time
here the man is escaping, brother!"
cried the girl in despair. IBID him 20.
father, and will tell you ALL"
NAY, he shall stay" declared the
old man. Speak, girl; he is thy
brother and hath a right to know of
this business
Then it was I whom they saw en-
tering at the window"
An awful silence followed this ter
rible statement.
And whom did you go to meet,
MADAME" Numbered forth the old man.
There was no reply.
Let me get away from here before
l do her an injury! Would to God she
had never been born!" Kit heard a
husky, unsteady voice exclaim, and
footsteps moved towards the door.
In that moment Kit realized that
there are things more to be feared
than death-the life Of one who has