Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-02
{: fin ::
EIopeI1lent
How q Man Assisted q Rum
away Pair and What
Came Of 1t All.
BY A. B. SEARLE
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

By A. B. SEARLE 7
i Copyright. 1910. by American Press \
Association.
O-O-O-O-O-O-OONONONONO-O-o
WAS in the country for my health
and. rs directed by my doctor. taking
long walks. At first enjoyed my
constitutionals immensely, but after
awhile longed for some one to enjoy
them with me. Then l thought that
If something would only happen to me
while rambling along over the country
roads 1t would relieve my ennui. A
footpad or a runaway horse would be
q godsend.
But one morning something hap
pened that was especially suited to my
taste. started out before breakfast
for half an hours exercise. l was
moving along ut a four mile an hour
gait when. turning bend in the road.
l came face to face with young man
and young woman. The man car
ried small valise. while the girl held
a tight grip ON tiny bag.
II beg pardon. SIR" said the man,
but does this road lead to G.2''
"Yes, but you must turn to the right
when you come to the first intersect-
ing road. Then you turn to the left
at the next. cross bridge
Are there any short cutsT"
Yes. You can leave the road just
above here and cross u field; then. hav-
ing passed the bridge. there Is wood
through which,
Zone moment. Have you heart"
"A heart! OF course l have"
"Then l beseech you to help pair
of lovers to escape from the persecu-
ton Of
"A tyrannical. contemplate. old
curmudgeon Of father"
Worse. This young lady Is the
ward Of an uncle who to gain her
property for himself was to have sent
her today to lunatic asylum. have
But 1t is long story. We must 60
on. Will you help u.s."
II should think SO. l know the way
to the station. III pilot you and by
the shortest possible route"
"Oh. sir" exclaimed the girl. raising
her eyes to heaven as If to give thanks
IF you will do SO you will save me
from madhouse. ! shall soon be mao
myself If l am shut up among those
creatures!
Come on" cried.
1--WE have staked all on this flight,
said the man us we hurried along,
this young girls liberty and her for
tune. The fortune was paid to her
guardian last night and was to have
been deposited in bank today. Oh. that
villain, But, with your kind help, we
shall outwit him."
1--WE been there myself" SAID.
"My wife had money her father de-
sired to control, and he acted q vii
famous part In the matter. To this
very day 1 would like to throttle him"
What we fear" the man went on,
"is that the young ladys uncle Will
get ON our track, have what we are
CARRYING taken from us, and, once IN
the meshes Of the law. we may never
recover it."
But that Is nothing" moaDed the
girl, Ito being shut up in that dreadful
asylum"
Don't think Of 1t, sweetheart" said
the man encouragingly. with this
kind gentleman's assistance We shall
escape"
We were crossing the field | had re-
ferred to when the man suddenly stop
ped and listened. We could distinctly
hear the sound Of a galloping horse
aud rattle Of wheels.
Come onr' cried the lover. I'VE
must reach that wood before our pur-
suers come in sight Of u.s."
We hurried on, reached the edge OF
the wood and crossed bridge. Then
the man stopped again.
"Gwendolin. DEAR" he said, I'll tell
you what we'll do. Well hide the
bonds and your jewels under this
bridge. No one will know where they
are but US and this gentleman. I'm
sure we Gun trust him with the Sc
cret."
ITO be sure we can. ! never saw q
more honest countenance," the girl re-
joined. But. Edgar. darling. ! can't
bear to leave my jewels ! have here in
my bag. Mother gave them to me on
her deathbed. I'd rather keep them
with me. Once on the train. think
can conceal them"
While this brief dialogue was In
progress the man dashed down under
the bridge aud thrust his vulise be-
tween al abutuient and the flooring;
then, rejoining US. we all went on
through the wood.
II should think" said to him, that
II they are after you they would head
you OF at the station"
81 fever thought Of that" he re-
piled. coming to halt, then after
pause:
What do you advises"
please help U.S." pleaded the girl
do something to save me from that
awful madhouse. You are SO nue.
cooler than either of us. So much de-
ponds on our getting away that we are
In no condition to think"
| became very much interested. not
snly from sympathy. but from the
brain work involved In assisting this
poor girl In making her escape. al
ways loved intricate problems and
especially quick decisions.
II am living" said. lat a farm
house near by. think you had better
come there with me and keep dark till
you are supposed to have got away.
I think can Ak 1t so that your iden-
tity will not be known there. and tr
night, under cover of the darkness,
you can walk to B. and take train.
Possibly l may furnish you with dis
gulses."
IF you will do this" said the man.
"Tll bless you forever"
The girl seemed to be too much at
fected to speak. She impulsively seized
my hand and kissed it.
Fortunately for our concealment, the
wood we We're In extended to within
hundred yards Of the farmhouse where
l was staying. conducted the couple
70 4l,Iu roar ,,oink md from fhara We