The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

peded her walking. But she went pie in England not unkind, though in ferior in courtesy. She obtained food and shelter readily everywhere for small sums, and 1t happened often that folk gave her passage in wagons for part of the way.
 In this way she went as far as Willing ham. a rich. beautiful village. mis- chance brought it about that she was taken before the rector, the Rev. MT. Staunton brother of Sir William Staun- ton of Willingham Hall. Although she did not confed the nature of her errand to him, she had no difficulty in satisfying him of her character. and he gave her shelter for the night in the beautiful rec tory, with the promise of a conveyance in the morning to help her on her way.
 That evening a servant asked her to follow him to see the master. She was led into a room where a young man lay on a couch. He turned pale and waster face toward her, and she could hardly repress a shriek, for 1t was the face of George Robertson.
 As soon as the servant had withdrawn he asked her eagerly for news of her sis ter. Seeing that Jeanie was too bewil- dered and puzzled to speak to him, he or dered her impatiently to sit down.
 q am going to put my life in your hands to help you save Effe," said he. "Listenl I must tell you the whole story, so that you will understand"
 Feverishly, stopping occasionally to gasp for breath, he told Jeanie that he was the son of the minister and heir to his uncle's title and estates. Tempted by a freakish and restless spirit, he sought adventure, and finally fell in with Wilson. whose smuggling exploits delighted his own wild blood. It was during this time that he met Fife. He had meant her no i'll, and he had intended to marry her, when his mad participation in the rob bery of the collector placed him in jeop- ardy of his life.
 Unable to aid Fife otherwise, he sent her money and directed her to seek the house of Mrs. Murdockson, who was in debted to him. He had learnedi too late that the woman, to avenge a wrong which he had done her daughter, had either killed Effes child or carried 1t off, and had disappeared shortly afterward, leav- ing the girl to face the chatge of child murder without witness to help her.
 "I tried to save Wilson after my es- cape" said Robertson, or, rather, Staun- ton. "but arrived too late, because the authorities had executed him half an hour earlier than the announced time. 1 led the attack. on the toll-booth under the name of Madge Wildfre. My object was double: I wanted to avenge Wilson s death on Porteous, but also wanted to rescue Fife. I failed in the latter design.
 "Then fled to my home here and lay hidden till Effie's trial. When learned that she was sentenced to death, took horse to ride to London and there com nound with Sir Horace Walpole for vour sisters life by offering him in the person of the heir of Willingham, the notorious George Robertson, the breaker of the Tolbooth. The govern ment Is too angry about the Porteous mob not to agree to the bargain. Queens love revenge. But l had not ridden 10 miles before my horse, the best animal in the country. fell on a level piece of road and I was brought hack here. utterly helpless and destined to remain so for many weeks to come.
 "Go you now to the Duke of Argyle. Try for your sisters pardon as you have planned. But if all other efforts fail you. sacrifice me. Tell the Duke that you have the leader of the Por- teous mob in your power. Make your own terms. You will save not merely your sisters life, but gain reward and honors for yourself by delivering to the executloner the man most wanted just now by the Queen and her ministers.