Gilpin observer., 1905-03-16


"But why should the constable both.
er him?" 1 asked. II think instead
something should be done to relieve
you-your husband put away in an
asylum"
"In Bedlam! My God! MOI" she
cried. Have you ever seen those
poor creatures huddled together like
beasts, manacled and chained to the
floor, shriekihg and wringing their
hands? Never while live. Why the
constable hounds us is because of the
grudge he thinks he owes me. When
was pretty Alice Lynson' knew
the mamie wished himself my lover
-he," her voice vibrated with scorn,
ito think 1 would be dishonest for
such as he."
II see." said. els there any place
where you can go and stay in hiding
for timer"
yes. SIR" she answered. II have
an aunt living in Shief, two shires
from here; she will take us in. 'Tis a
place where even the constable and
his men care not to come oftener than
necessary; the men are a rough lot,
and will protect kin to the death"
The mare being ready we placed the
ill-sorted pair upon her broad back,
protecting them as well as we could
from the rain. The woman bowed her
head and sobs convulsed her form.
Jock Swan and I watched the old
horse amble out of sight. Gil was
elsewhere employed. Pity and indig-
nation stirred me; pity for the poor
woman's plight, indignation at the con-
stables persecution.
was undecided what to do with
the constable-he certainly merited
some punishment. l found that Gil
had settled the question for me. He
came out OF the inn carrying on his
back one Of the fellows bound with
ropes.
What are you doing with them,
Gil?" l asked.
You'll find them down the road a
bit, wallering in the mud, trussed for
all the world like fowls ready for
market" he answered with a grim
look. IT think they will hesitate be-
fore prosecuting poor woman again, "
he added.
Good enough" laughed. But may
not our host, good Jock Swan, suffer
from the constable's anger?"
THE fat one will take to his bed,
I'm thinking, and perhaps it will teach
him that he's too old to be running
after women, the beast!" he said. 'As
for Jock he's no innocent; he will be
able to make them think that he had
naught to do with their plight. After
they have sobered up bit. which will
not be long l take it in this rain, he
can release them with a fitting tale of
our being highwaymen, and anything
else that comes to his lips"
Jock having an equal confidence in
his ability to convince the men Of his
innocence, satisfied me that he was
glad of this opportunity to pay off old
scores. Some of that ribaldry which
had fallen from the mans indecent
tongue was not to be overlooked by
Jock.
Our horses saddled, we bade him
goodbye, and went on our way salts
fed that we were leaving them in such
able of playing his part to our liking.
We cautioned him above all things
| to put the constable and his men of
the track of the escaped prisoner.
And Gil added this: Send them at
| ter us, if they're able to travel; well
| take care of them
We decided to ride steadily through
out the night, as the horses were fresh
| and we desirous of reaching London
| also hopeful of overtaking the coach
containing the redheaded maid Of Mis-
tress Rosemary Allyn. There was 8
branch where the two roads, the river
and the main road merged into one
| and over this she must pass to reach
London.
We rode along at a jog trot for 9
| time. being sparing of our horses
when presently the weather changed
! The sun peeped out now and again
IRON behind fieecy clouds like pretty
woman coquetting.
Ito be continued.)