The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-02-07


rise to where the track to the ruined
farm began. l checked the horse
and walked slowly forward studying
the edge of the moor besides the high
way for the mark of the grass-grown
ruts l knew so well.
I heard the footsteps long before I
saw him. quick patter upon the hard
surface behind me. AS he came out
Of the fog he shouted, bringing his
rifle to his hip with an easy swing.
He was stoutly built man in the
neat dark uniform that marks the
prison warder.
BE careful with that gum" I said;
for he still had me covered.
II beg your pardon, sir" he pant
ed; 'but we were close to him and"
CLOSE to whom?"
There's convict escaped he ex-
planned. you haven't seen himr'
mo, nor likely to In this weather."
He had got his breath by this time
and stood leaning on his rifle, look
ing vaguely about him.
you are right, sir. We stand far
better chance Of losing ourselves than
OF finding him in fog like this. But
one thing Is equally certain-he can't
set far, either"
1t was while he spoke that heard
1.-THE clink of a boot striking a
stone, and that not score of yards
away.
I'm afraid you are only wasting
'ime." l said. as carelessly as l was
able. "A needle in a haystack Is
easy compared to a convict in a
fog"
Il think I must take your advice,
sir" he laughed.
We wished each other good after
noon, and he melted away as man
might slide behind a curtain. His
footsteps died out down the road by
which he had come as l moved for
ward.
THAT was a near thing, Kingsley"
said voice in the shadows, and I
humbly thanked my luck that Hearne
stepped out upon the road.
"I've no excuse" l began. 1T was
all my fault, and"
Hush! keep quiet"
He stood for moment listening
like a dog at door.
IF that fool of a warder had not
gone back We were DONE" he whisper
ed. 1.-THE guards chased us right into
the ruins. While they searched them
we slipped down the track. Come
along, Craig, alrs WE'LL"
The convict rose from the heather,
where he had lain, and stumbled to-
ward us. He was shaking like man
with the ague. and the sweat was
running off his forehead and down his
cheeks In narrow streaks.
Am l safer" he suffered, grab.
bling my arm. 1--WE money, man,
money. You shall have It, I swear
you shall have 1t all! But I won't 60
back there-not alive!"
Come. pull yourself together" said
Hsarns. with Q hand on his Shout
der. I'VE have no time to waste. 70
member" pa
=, We wrapped the hong coat over his
yellow clothes. stuck the wig over his
cropped head. and helped him to tho
front seat. I took my place beside
him. Hearne clambered up behind. and
our journey began: . @nE ,s4,s
y The horse was of tho old moor
breed. He could have bowled US along
at a good ten miles an hour II the
fog had allowed It.: but as 1t was We
rarely exceeded half that speed. 1t
was miserable time. Craig sat hud-
died by my side, now cursing me for
the delay, now peering back along the
road, while he implored US to tell him
II 1t we're galloping hoofs that he
heard. He was an -ill-tempered, pet
ulant man, and did not waste either
politeness or sympathy upon him. 1t
was not until we had passed over
some miles of rolling uplands and
dropped down a steep descent to a
moss-grown bridge, that the fog show
ed signs of breaking. AS we strain
ed up the opposite hill 1t began to
tear away in flying wisps like the
smoke OF great guns. giving us
glimpses of a narrow slope Of turf
ending In a cliff, at the foot Of which
| du uuSeeu TlVcT UlOdueu anu CHuCkleu.
Il helped you loyally-you have no
complaint against me?' asked old
Hearne, tapping me suddenly on the
shoulder.
81 could never wish a better COM
rade," l told him.
THAT is how l hope you will al
ways think of me.
He was not kind of man to talk
sentiment, and I glanced back in sur
prise. There was an expression of
peace upon him, such as have never
seen in human countenance, eth
err before or since. He smiled, and,
reaching over, gave my hand a
squeeze.
\ you have the making Of a good
fellow in you," he said. May the
fates forget your follies."
We drove on in silence for awhile,
and then the old man rose, kneeling
upon the cushions Of the back seat.
Here comes the sun, julius Craig"
he said. "The mists are scattering,
and the world comes peeping through
to welcome you back to freedom.
Women and wine and cards-does the