Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-11-14
Winners
Escape.
BY COLIN s. COLLINS.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
BY COLIN S. COLLINS.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

been built on an island IN the lake from
which II took It's name long before the
campers discovered what lovely place
the lake was. At the time of its build
Ing Hammond had been tfty miles
from the nearest town of any size. aud
only spur track ran down 10 the
shore Of the lake. connecting with the
nat bottOmed boat that ferrled the
freight cars over 10 the island Now
the south shore fairly bristled with
camps aud huge hotels Even ON the
north the beach and the numerous III.
tie Islands were dotted with white
tents and weather stained log huts
The campers objected to the presence
OF the peultentiary. with its great gray
barracks and its forbidding iron bars
across the windows. That the peniten
tlary was there first did not alter the
situation. The permanent campers
wished the prison removed that they
might enjoy their three months In
camp unterrfied by the thought Of
possible Jail delivery
No stone walls surrounded the island
Only here and there n guard hut dotted
the white eXpanse of the stone pier
which had been built entirely about the
island. ready 10 shoot at any prisoner
who might rashly try TO escape. Few
tried. II was n good two miles to the
nearest shore and In the winter the
white expanse Of ice made back
ground against which convict would
become fair target tor the guns
Nancy Barlow liked to run her honi
IN close to the wall and wave her hand
10 the prisoners sullenly working on
the new wing They could not wave
back. She knew, but she liked TO believe
that this sign from the world outside
cheered them In their work. The
guards all came TO know her and the
trim little racing motor boat They pre-
scented arms with grin as she sped
past the wall. and Nancy had the feel
ing that they answered for the prison
ers
Her little motor was the fastest boat
on the lake, and she, spent her days
speeding M and down the placid sur
face She consumed vast quantities
of petrol but the outdoor life was
bringing back the roses 10 her cheeks
and James Barlow would have run
pipe line 10 the lake IL necessary 10
bring about that result lie had re-.
fused his consent to the marriage Of
Nancy and Fred Wilmer. but he felt
vaguely troubled when he saw how the
girl had dropped She was all he had
left in the world and he could not lose
her too II was as much this n
tendency 20 wildness on Winners pnrt
that had led To his refusal. and could
he have found Wilmer he would have
reconSidered his determination
But Wilmer had dropped from sight.
and none OF his old acquaintance
knew what had become of him
Nancy had learned 10 handle a motor
under his guidance on the lake the year
before. and her devotion 10 the boat
was in part due 10 that fact. As she
guided the little craft among the chan
nels he had shown her. she liked 10
dream day dreams OF the time when
they Two should share boat again.
So real was the imagined presence nj
times that now, as Nancy puffeG past
the prison island and looked on the
parade ground she rubbed her eyes as
she noticed the leader Of file OF con.
victs making their way along the edge
OF the wall
1t did not seem possible that II could
be Wilmer, but, as the little file came
nearer she was certain. Wilmer had
never worn n mustache, and there was
no mistaking the face She even fan
cied that she caught CLEAN OF rccog
milton In his eyes. as he passed with
firm tread She shut of the power and
turned 10 look after the men In the
striped suits. II came as n shock 10
her that Wilmer was wearing the
stripes. She was certain that he had
done nothing to deserve Imprisonment.
IL must have been all mistake. and
he had been too proud TO call upon his
friends for aid. She turned her boat.
determined 10 visit the prison Office aud
hnd out something about the causes
which had led TO his Incarceration
As she did so there was sudden
commotion IN the line The oven tread
OF the lockstep was broken. and WI.
mer. with sudden dash. had knocked
down the keeper and sprung into the
water.
\ score Of keepers rushed 10 the
water wall and emptlcd their rifles
after the escaping convict while two
or the prison boats which happened 10
be close at hand started In Dursujt
Nancy was quicker vet Throwing on
full speed. she faced tue tire from the
shore ana from the first OF the two
boats. In moment she was beside
Wilmer. helping him into the launch
Then she sprang TO the wheel again
and headed for the mainland
why didn't you LEI US know that
you were In troublef'' she demanded
as Il. Boat once more under control
hnmmed toward the shore We would
have helped you out. You know that.