Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-03-31
CHAPTER XII
THE BARGAIN.

when they had gone, 40 you know
the terrible risk you are running in
this mad attempt?"
In her tomboyish days he had more
than oncc seen Jane dressed in her
brothers clothes and heard her
sl<ilfully mock his voice and ways.
for in truth. Jane had no little talent
as an actress. On her part, she
cvinccd no surprise at his recogn-
ton.
yes" she answered to his question,
drawing her cloak about her to con-
cenl as much as she could her male
attire, II know it all, but I do not
care. do not even care that I have
lust implicated my brother in a way
that NAV make it most difficult for
him to extricatc himself. ] must.
will save YOU. and when that is done
7 shall go to Col. Bessemer and tell
him all
What will you tell him." Worth
ington asked.
"I shall tell him that | could not
permit him to commit a ruthless
murders to soil his hands with blood
in this cruel fashion"
The American drew back. "Ah,
that is IT," he said bitterly. at is
to save him from murder. to keep his
hands lnsnirched. you do it: it is
for his sakc--I might have known"
She had unbound his arms by now,
and stood of from him. Capt
Worthington, permit me to advise you
to go at once"
Cor he cried disdainfully. $50
and leave you to face alone the con-
sequences OF VOW rash action? No:
it might be that Coz. Besscn,cr would
not properly appreciate the effort
you have made to prevent his doing
that which 10 his chief daily amuse
ment. / shall seek the gentleman and
put myself again into his hands. with
the request that he make quick work
Of me-"
"Godfrey."
Even that very dull young man
could not fail to interpret the cry
of pain and cntreaty. "Jane!" He
possessed himself of her hands, but
she snatched them from him.
"Oh. GO" she besought. "If ever
you cared foc re, If ever ! was aught
10 you, so. Do you not see that my
heart is breaking with fear?"
lis it possible you do care for me
jane" be asked. too flushed with
sudder jo7 to have mind for aught
else. Il; it not Bcssemer you love,
after al!."
"Bessep,ar?" she repeated. throw
ing bacl; her head with her familiar
% Ia; IL; to
tone of scorn that i'll became one who
had only that morning been tempted
by the British colonel's silver tongue.
Reused at last to the necessity of
grasping this chance of escape by
her eXpostulations. he turned for one
last embrace. one final word of good
by, then plunged into the dcnser
shadows of the woods beyond.
Jane stood listening TO the crush
ing of the brush under his feet;
then her quick ears caught sound
that sent hcr to her knees. half
fainting. half praying. 1t was a
shout of triumph; the shout of
hunters who had come upon their
prey.
A shot rang ont; another. and an
other Then she distinguished I'es-
scners voice. rs he dead? All. no.
] see; n mere scalp wound that has
knocked him scnsclcss. Wen, let him
lie there until we can fit moose to
finish him with"
Again there was the crunching of
t"igs under several feet. and she
could distinguish in the faint light
dark forms moving between the
trees. She rose slowly. dazedly. Ros-
Ecmer, in advance, saw her and waved
those behind him back.
"Pardon me. | wish few words
alone with--Licut. Elcry"
The sinister pause before the title
told Jane that he was not deceived
as to her identity. He was deter
mined. however. to deceive his com
panons if he could. lie was no
novice in barrack, mess and camp
fire gossip: he knew we'll the NOR.
sells soldiers love to roll beneath
their tongues. and he had no desire
that this girls name should be
snirchcd, AS it would be if the
lengths to which she had gone tc
Save NbI lUlHg ION : ne lHal UlSi'
were known. His pride's protection
moved him TO this course. if nothing
else. lie had paid her marked attcn
tion; had openly courtcd her brother
for her sake: had made no secret ot
his wooing. TO have the name of &
woman he had thus honored linked
unsavorily with that of another may
was CALLING.
ut were n pity madam lie said
between his teeth. for your famly't
sake, not to mention your own, tina
your discretion does not keep pace
with your determination. Your mat
actions tonight have placed you
relatives in a position that is, to sa.
the least, unenyiablc."
If he had expected her 10 b
crushed by these cutting words, III
reckoned little of James spirit. -
state of affairs, sir" she answered
promptly, for which you, and yo,
alone, are responsible. Had yo,
paid heed to my supplications--ha'
you not persisted in your determine
ton to murder Capt. Warrington il
this cold-blooded manner wOul'
not have been driven to this extren
ity to save the life of one who wa
my childhoods friend and TO saw