The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-03-05
CHAPTER Kill.
A Footstep Outside,

A Footstep Outside.
He crept YEARLY across the last field
that bordered the rectory garden.
The mile and half of which he had
spoken to Freddy Thornton had
heightened itself into a good three
miles before Jack Lathom saw the
familiar outline of the square, stone.
built house; not daring to trust him.
self to the roads, where he might run
into the arms of the police, he had
been compelled to take a circuitous
route across fields heavy and sodden
with the melted snow. Long before
he was at his journeys end his feet
and limbs were aching.
Perhaps it had been FOOLS errand
to cone to this house where his
friendship with the occupants was we'll
known; the police, securing the coun-
try for the fugitive, might conceiva.
bly, look for him there-but that was
a risk this hunted man had to take.
He must see Hilda tonight
He made his way cautiously through
the hedge, and crept silently between
the low lockwood borders that edged
the paths Of the old-fashioned garden
at the back of the rectory. There was
light in an upper room-Olive Van
stones room-and he could see a glow
Of warmth from the window of the
drawing room. If only Hilda was
there, and alone!
Stephen did not often sit there;
probably he would be in his study on
the other side of the house. If only
Hilda was there! To see her, to touch
her hand again, to hear her voice
this hunted man felt that at all haz-
ards he must see and speak to her
before his fight. It was quite dark
in the garden; the moon had not yet
risen; no stars-only the faint light
where, far away to the north of Fells-
garth, the turmoil of upleaping fame
from the great furnaces that, day or
night, never cooled was reflected on
the dark sky; silent too-not leaf
or branch stirring. Jack Lathom crept
up to the window.
A picture for hunted man who
that morning had been in a prison cell
to take in greedily-the quaint, rest
full, old-fashioned room that he knew
and loved, lit only by the cosy fire.
light that glowed red on wall and
wainscoat, and in the fire light the
figure of the girl he loved-a picture
to carry away in his memory for long
after that night!
AS he stood there. with his eyes sud-
denly misty, Jack Lathom forgot his
WEAKNESS, forgot his danger. He
stared hungrily into the room, past
the great bowl of flowers on the table
to the figure of the girl. 1t was only
a week since he had seen flowers or
a beautiful woman, but as he looked
back it seemed an eternity.
She was sitting looking into the
fire, as if deep in thought; by it's light
he could see how pale she was-saw
the trouble in the beautiful face. He
tapped on the window.
She turned with start-stood star
ing at the window with bewildered
kalf-incredulous look, as though al
first she could not believe her eyes
her breath coming quick and fast
Then, with CLEAN of wild Joy, tina
was yet almost incredulous, breakin,
in her face, she crossed the room
quickly and flung open the casemente,
window.
"Jack!"
eyes, it is I, sweetheart" he whis
pered; really 1! Why, you look a
though you couldn't believe it! ~
escaped, and l had to come and Sc
you before got out of the neighbo,
hood. Is all safe If come imp"
Jack! And the police are pursuin
you!'
He nodded.
I He drew himself up on to the wi,
dow sill and dropped lightly into til
room. Quickly he pulled the curtain
closely across the window. Hilda stoo
motionleSs for q moment, wstchin
Z, him, with fear .dawninS@in- her eys
Then she ran quickly to the door an
locked 1t.
Sweetheart. had to come: