The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-10-15

AAoJOA SA"scOuNS eOvSa"~A W WV
great fortress prison on the hill, flung
down his book and, springing to his
feet. listened intently. Beyond the
walls Of his cozy cottage. the wind
roared and 'hurtled across the sparsely
covered plain. but above the storm,
family at first. could be distinctly
heard tho dull clang OF the alarm
bell which told rich and poor alike
that once again q fellow creature had
taken his life in his hands and. trust
ing to forlorn hope, had made bolt
for liberty.
The governor swore long and deeply
beneath his heavy mustache as he lis.
tened. At any time he would have
been deeply incensed at the escape of
one Of his charges. but. today espec-
tally, tho knowledge that his picked
and carefully trained assistants had
been caught mapping filled him with
fierce anger; for. just across the hall
OF the tiny bungalow which he had
inhabited beyond the prison walls ever
since his marriage, his only child lay
fighting for life, while the young moth
er watched the struggle with fearless
eyes.
As he crossed the passage, the door
OF the sick room opened and his wife
came out. One glance at her told him
that she. too. had heard the warning
bell and his anger increased as he
noted the fear In her wide-open eyes.
Douglas" she whispered, the bell!
One Of them has escaped
"There. there. my dear."-he patted
her hand reassurinEly-"you have
nothing to fear. Soon-an hour or
two at the most-we shall have the
ruffian safely In the punishment
cells"
You are not going to leave me.
Douglssls she exclaimed. as turning
from her. he began to struggle into
his great-coat.
my dearest girl, I must"
But little Jack, he is no better.
and" the grey eyes filled with tears
and the major noticed with a heart
ache that the white hand which lay
upon his arm had become very thin
In tho past few days.
Come, come. sweetheart, you are
worn out with nursing and imagine
that the boy is worse than he is
Stoddart is certain to look in again
during the evening. and he'll stay with
you till return"
He spoke cheerfully, but. in his
heart. he knew that in spite Of the ur'
gent message which he had sent un.
known to his wife. the hard worked
country doctor might easily be pre-
vented from calling until the morning
and for q moment he hesitated be-
tween the duty which was calling him
out into the storm and the love which
urged him to stay at home.
Left alone. Mrs. Millbank sat down
by the bedside OF the little sufferer
and composed herself to wait as pa
tiently as she could for the doctors
coming.
Hour after hour passed. Nigh,
came on-pitch black. save for the
vivid flashes Of Intermittent lightning
but still the doctor did not come. "Ot
God" she muttered. as with hands
nearly as feverish as the child's she
smocthed the ruffled pillow. "send the
doctor soon. before 1t is too late!"
Another hour dragged heavily by
then suddenly she sat bolt upright
every nerve tingling as she strained
her ears to listen. Yes. again 1t came
"a distinct though gentle knock upor
the outer door. The long-prayed fol
doctor had arrived at last. and, with
. muffled cry of JOY. she stumbled
down the dark passage. With fumbl
ing hands she turned the key ane
drew back the bolts.
Thank God, you've come" sht
whispered, as q dark figure entered
Il feared"
The words Of welcome died upor
her lips. giving place to a stifled CT.
of terror, as rough hand was placed
over her mouth and a strong arm
pushed her roughly back into the pas
sage.
Move. utter a cry, and it will b.
your last" a hoarse voice Kissed int
her ear. Then the newcomer turne,
and rebarred the door. you ar
alone in the house, Ell? Yes. know
you are. From my hiding place saw
your husband-curse him-go to joil
in the hunt after q fellow creature