Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-02-01

u.Sthute.
Behind the tall hedge she and the
garden were hidden from view OF
neighboring windows or passcrsby In
the street The secret Of the mans
hiding place was hers alone. and now
the responsibility pressed upon her
Suppose the man was II murderer!
Perhaps he had committed crime In
cold blood aud she was Withholding
him from the hands Of the law. per
haps. hut there was unlimited scope
for conjecture. and she ircmblcd with
apprehension for the moment when she
must face the fugitive and learn the
truth. II he would tell her.
She took new courage IN the rccol'
lection that his face had not been that
OF n criminal. There had been pain aud
desperation depicted on the handsome
features. aud fear and perhaps guilt.
but II was not hard face. and there
was something In the brown eyes or
the stranger that compelled her to I'M
pulsively offer him refuge.
That was the strangcst part OF the
situation. for Orilla was Forbes
through and through and had never
before given way 20 impulse For an
other half hour Orllla cross examined
herself before the door Of che summer
house while she made believe to tie
up the rose branches. all the time walt
Ing for the door 10 burst open and
bring her face to face with the situn-
ton which she was drending to meet.
She was trying to convince herself that
Il would be better II she went away
and left the man To escape as his inge-
nuity might suggest. but somehow she
knew that her presence there near the
summer house lent him protection.
Then two women met on the path on
the other side Of the tall hedge. and
she strained her ears 10 catch news OF
the chase.
Ibid they get him?' asked one.
"No. They think he cut Off through
upper Maple street toward Linville.
They've gone over there IN an automo-
bile. II they don't find him there they
will get the bloodhounds from Hooker
ton. and then they can't miss him."
"They said he robbed the Iiookerton
bank IL tina. so:"
81 guess II is-leastways joel says he
was employed IN the bank and specu-
lated with some of the funds and lost.
They found II out and were taking
him 10 the county seat when he escap-
ed from the automobile down street
here. and the last they saw OF him he
went through the hedge into Forbes
garden Orilly told the sheriff she
hadn't seen him"
The speakers passed on. and Orilla
was left beside the summer house. now
quite confident that she had been
guilty Of compromising a felony" Her
horror was mingled with pity for the
fugitive
At last she heard movement with
In the summer house. and. although
hcr heart was heating madly. she set
the door njar and proceeded with her
task.
Madam" said low voice from the
summer house. II am more than CRATE
full for what you have done. but am
afraid my presence here VIII only
make trouble for you. Ii what the wo-
man on the sidewalk snid is true. that
they are To put bloodhounds Oh my
trail. may as well give myself up
now rather than 10 Ice tracked here and
bring you into trouble.
"Will you tell me about II. pleaseE
said Orlla softly. Then ] can decide
what better lie done
Its just as the woman said. re-
turned the man dciectedly. my name
IL Hoyt. Calvin lioyt, and I've been re-
ceiving teller In the Hookerton bank
for three years | won't Try 10 excuse
myself beyond saying that I've always
been straight as string until that mo-
ment when was tempted to speculate
with n little OF the banks funds. or
course was successful NJ irst-that
was the devils craft to tempt me
further ana So | went In deeper and
lost: tried again So rs to retrieve. lost.
lost. lost, Yesterday ! went In the
president and confessed and asked for
n chance Ia work and pay II back. He
wouldn't give me the opportunity. 50
was arrested. and this afternoon they
were taking me To the county seat In
nm automobile when saw chance "a
ret away and took advantage OF II. l
was going back To give myself up. hut
first ] wanted to see my mother, To ex-
plain 10 her before any one else had
chance TO break II roughly. but now
my chance Is gone His voice broke
suddenly.
orilla's eyes were full Of tears rs she
listened Tell me where your mother
lives. IL il near here:"
AT Roselca. It's mere hamlet i've
miles beyond Ilookerton. ! WAS going
to double back there they wouldn't
think Of my going in that direction
they believe ! am heading for the
North aud East railroad junction. II
Is too late now. The hounds will track
the. may as well give up now" He
pushed against the door az II To come