Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-02-18
CHAPTER XIV.
Duck and Green Peas.

! able to resist determined onslaught,
and when Barbara followed her and
parried all her feints, and brought
her to close quarters, Eve was driven
| to admit that she had seen Martin,
who was in concealment in the wood,
and that she had undertaken to fur
nish him with food and the boathouse
key. Jasper was taken into consulta-
ton, and promised to seek his
brother and provide for him what was
necessary, but neither he nor Bar
bara could induce her to remain at
home and not resist the fugitive.
1 know that Jasper will not find the
place without me- she said. Watt
only discovered It by his proving
about like a weasel. 1 must go with
Mr.. Jasper, but I promise you Bar
bic, it shall be for the last time
There wa reason in her argument,
and Barbara was forced TO acquiesce.
Accordingly in the evening, not be
fore, the two set out for the mine,
Eve carrying some provisions in a
basket. Jasper was much annoyed
that his brother was still in the
neighborhood and still causing
trouble to the sisters at Morweu.
Eve had shown her father the ring.
The old man was satisfied; he took
it, looked hard at it, slipped it on his
little finger, and would not surrender
it again. Eve must explain this to Mar
tin if he demanded the ring, which he
was like enough to do.
Neither she nor Jasper spoke much
to each other on the way; he had MS
thoughts occupied, and she was not
easy in her mind as they approached
the part of the wood where the r2ine
shaft was, she began to sing the cong
in Don Giovanni, La CT darem, as a
signal to Watt that friends drew nigh
through the bushes. On entering the
adit they found Martin in i'll humOr.
He had been without food for many
hours, and was moreover suffel ing
from an attack of rheumatism.
4 said as much this morning, Eve
he growIed, 4 knew thi hateful hole
would make me i'll. and here l am in
agonias. Oh, it is of no use your bring
ing me the key Of the boat; I can't
90 on the water with knives running
into my back, and what is more, I
can't even think Of it; I should have
rheumatic fever. I'd rather be back
in iaii-there | SuppO e they would
give me hot-bottles and blankets.
And this, too. when I had prepared
such treat for Eve. Curse it! I'm al
ways thinking Of other, and getting
into pickles myself accordingly
why. pray, what we're you schem-
ing to do for Miss Eye?' asked Jasper.
o, the company I was with for a
bit at Plymouth, are performing Web
ers new piece, "Preciosa," and l
thought I'd like to show it to her-aDd
then the manager, Ju tice Barrett,
knows about her mother. When told
him of my escape, and leaving you at
MorWell, he said that he had left one
of his company there named Eve. /
thought it would be a pleasure to the
young lady to meet him, and hear
what he had to tell of her mother?
And you intended to carry Eve off
with you?
intended to persuade her to &C
company me. Perhaps he will do so
still, when l am better.
Jasper was angry, and he spoke
sharply to his brother. Martin turned
on hi bed of fern and heather, and
grooming, put his hands over his ears.
Come, said he, Watt, give me food.
I can't stand scOIding on an empty
.tomach, and with aches in my bones.
He was imperyiOuS to argument;
remOnstrance he resented. Jasper
took the basket from Eve, and gave
him what he required. He groaned and
cried out as Watt raj ed him in his
arms. Martin looked at Eve, appealing
for sympathy. He was a martyr, Il
| guiItIess sufferer, and not spared even
by his brother.
I think, Martini said Jasper, that
if you were we'll wrapped in blankets
you might till go in the boat
You seem vastly eager to be rid of
me- answered Martin peevishly, but
tell you I will not go. I'm not going
to jeOpardize my life on the river in
the fogs and heavy dews to relieve
you from anxiety. How utterly and
unrea onabIy selfish you are! If there
/ be one vice which is despicabIe, it is
/ seIfshness. I repeat, I won't go, and I
won't stay in this hole. You must find
some safe and warm place in which
to stow me I throw all responsible
ties on you. I wish I had never es-
capped from jail have been sinking
ever since I left it. There I had a dry
, cell and food. From that I went to
the corn-chamber at MorweIl, which
was dry-but, faugh, how it stank of
onion, Now I have this damp dun
geon that smells of mould. Watt and
you got me out of prison, and got me
away from the warders and constables
so you must provide for me now. l
have nothing more to do with it. If
you take a responsibility on you, my
doctrine is, go through with it, don't
take it up and drop it half finished.
What news of that fellow l shot? Is he
dead?'
No-wounded but not dangerously
There. then, why should I fear? I
was comfortable in Jail. I had my
meals regularly there, and was not
subjected to damp. I trust my country
would have cared for me better than
my brothers, who give me at one time
onions for a pillow, and at another
heather for a bed