The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Chase in the Dark.

Il
had fallen, and waited near the prison.
Fortunately, it stood in quiet spot
not much frequented after nightfall;
and she found a convenient arched
doorway from which she could watch
the building unseen.
| On the first night nothing happen
ed: the moon was set high I'm flying
clouds and the night was very still;
now and then she heard the passing
feet of a pedestrian crossing the END
of the street in which she stood. Once
a man went along on the opposite side,
under the high walls, whistling, but
did not see her. Mrs. Quist having
provided her with key, in her trust
fulness of heart, the girl fingered until
very late hour, and until the last foot
step had died away But still there
was nothing.
On the second night, with a growing
hope, she waited again, wishing, with
all the strength of her love, that her
eyes might pierce the heavy walls and
discover what the prisoner was doing.
She had almost given up hoping for
anything, and was preparing to return
home to her lodging, when a curious
sound broke upon her ear, and she
started forward out of the gateway,
keenly watchful.
She had heard a quick, light thud
upon the pavement, and then the rapid
feet of someone running. Almost be-
fore she had had time to collect her
thoughts, or to decide whether to de-
eide whether to hide or show herself,
a figure dashed straight toward her
down the street, in the shadow OF the
wall Some instinct causing her TO
spring out. the figure stopped, drawn
straight up against the wall, and then
slowly crossed toward her. The next
moment her hands were in those OF
Philip Chatter.
She had time, before he spoke, to
notice that the hands which held hers
were cut and bleeding; that he painted
heavily, as though after some terrible
exertion; and that he was covered
with dust and limewash, and was hat
less.
Show me the way" he painted.
Hide me somewhere, quick!"
She hurried on with him, while he
crouched in the shadow of the houses.
so that her figure might cover him as
much as possible. They had scarcely
more than a hundred yards to go be-
fore she put her key swiftly in the lock
OF door, drew him through, and shut
| It behind her. Bidding him, in whis-
per, wait where he was, in the dark"
ness of the passage, she softly opened
the door of lighted room and went
In.
Now 1t happened that evening that
Captain Peter Quist was In great
state Of excitement. He had COM
pleted that very day the purchase OF
an absolutely ideal circus--a circus IN
full working order, the proprietor OF
which was only anxious to pass 1t into
the hands Of its new owner and retire
into private life. The delighted cap
| tain had discovered that his new prop
erty consisted OF three of four we'll
fitted caravans, few small tents. to-
gether with one huge one for the &C.
commodation of his audiences, and
some wagons, with the necessary mt
tings for the concern.
| Horses-performing and otherwise
there were In abundance; and the
captain had already been assured that
the male and female staff was only too
ready to accept service under him.
And the proprietor. having expressed
a desire that Quist should see the
show in working order and be initiated
into It's mysteries gradually, the cap
tain, at the very moment Of Clara's en-
trance into the room, was busily en-
gagged In packing few articles which
he considered proper and appropriate
to his new standing In life.
The chief OF these articles consisted
of high and very glossy silk hat,
which was at that moment perched
upon the captains head; and pair OF
Wellington boots. as glossy In appear
ance as the hat, and into which the
| captain was struggling. Indeed. he
had just got them on, and was very red
in the face from his exertions, when
Clara darted in. Before she had time
to utter a word Mrs. Quist-who had
been regarding her lord and master
with an expression half OF admiration.
half OF ontempt--turned toward Clara,
with view to relieving her feelings.
Look at I'm. miss" she exclaimed,
extending a hand toward the captain,
who had got on his legs and was
staggering about the little parlor;
"did you ever see SIGH a figger In all
yer born days? Do yer think I'd ever
ave led that to the altar, II I'd knowed
wot e was a comm to IN is old daysy
Begin at the top"--she Indicated the
captains hat-"an' 'e's fit fer Ugh
Park, or drorin' room; come to is
middie"-the indignant woman indica-
ted the captains seafaring blue coat
can 'e's decent man an sailor; look
at IL legs (if SO be as you'll excuse
sich q remark. miss). an g might be q
coachman out o. work, or the bottom
Ar ss . French markiss. I'M In q