Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
4 A Chase in the Dark.

| ton to the captain or Mrs. Quist, Cara
went out that night, when darkness
had fallen, and waited near the prison.
Fortunately, it stood in quiet spot
not much freauented 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 In fylnS
clouds and the night was very stlll'
now and then she heard the passing
| feet of a pedestrian crossing the end
of the street in which she stood. Once
| a man vent 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 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
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
crn ,rnb cd IN che cff so
so that her figure might cover him as
much as possible. They had scarcely
more than hundred yards to go be-
fore she put her key, swiftly in the lock
of d door, drew him through, and shut
1t behind her. Bidding him, in whis-
per, walt where he was, i'll the dark
ness of the passage, she softly opened
the door of lighted room and went
In.
Now it happened that evening that
Captain Peter Qnist was in a 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 it into
the hands of it's 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, a few small tents, to-
gether with one huge one for the ac-
commodation of his audiences, and
some wagons, with the necessary tit
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 its 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 word Mrs. Quist who had
been regarding her lord and master
with an expression half Of admiration,
half Of contempt turned toward Clara,
with a view to relieving her feelings.
Look at i'm, miss" she exclaimed,
extending hand toward the captain,
vino nau got on mis- legs ana was
staggering about the little parlor;
did you ever see SIGH figger In all
yer born days? Do yer think I'd ever
ave led that to the altar, If I'd knowed
3wot e was a comm to in is old days?
Begin at the top she Indicated the
lscaptain's hat tan 'e's at fer Ugh
Park, or drorin' room; come to is
middle the indignant woman indica-
ted the captains scattering blue coat
IAN 'e' s-a decent man an sailor; look
Iat Is legs &c 80 be as you'll excuse
l. a2Ok Z r,e.rnn III No 4,