The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-09-27

interest in her made him glad to
know what little she told about her
| self.
She was Gretchen Wallace, an or
| phan, and her mother had died only
a month previous. Her only living rela-
tive was half-uncle who was the
town jailer. She had been living In
the prison building for month, de-
pressed by its environment. She was
planning to go to the nearest city and
secure some employment where she
was not daily brought In contact with
a rough, insolent, half-civillzed COM
munity Of uncouth miners and cow
boys.
Worden was sorry to leave her when
they reached the town, and he was
more than ever attracted to her as she
took his hand In parting and her beau
lantry and aid.
He could not forget her readily. Aft
err dinner at the hotel he strolled forth
aimlessly to put in the time till the
coach arrived. he was turning the
corner of a street when Gretchen, has
She was in new wild flutter Of emo
lions.
ooh, I'm so glad to find you'll" she
painted. you are in danger. That
man, Rustler Dan" she ended with
scream, as she caught sight of fig
to be that of the one town policeman.
He hurried his steps. Gretchen had
bracelet which she wore, and pressed
close to the side Of Worden.
"Whats the trouble hereT demand
ed the officer.
"This-this man has robbed mel"
declared Gretchen. "He snatched my
bracelet from me-"
stranger, Ell? You come with me"
roughly spoke the officer and the
amazed Worden was seized by the arm
and forced along, while Gretchen dis
appeared.
If Worden was amazed, II his senses
reeled striving to analyze his peculiar
situation, the daze was simply bewil-
dering some hours later when once
more Gretchen Lee, friend or traitress,
he knew not which, appeared ut the
doubly locked door Of the prison cell
in which he had been promptly con-
fined after his apprehension. She I'M
locked the door. She cautioned Word
en- 10 silence, her finger on her lip.
Don't speak, just do as 1 tell you"
she fluttered. "Follow me on tiptoe,"
and Worden obeyed, although mysti-
fed, almost dfstrus,ful.
She led him down a dark corridor
and to sort of yard space behind the
prison building. There stood two
horses attached to wagon loaded with
garden truck. II was heaped high up
around the poled edges Of the vehicle.
A grizzled old farmer sat on its front
seat. Gretchen, with an apprehensive
glance back at the gloomy-looking old
Jail, urged Worden over heap of
piled-up vegetables. Then she hurried
after him and the wagon started up.
Worden stared at this strange young
woman In a veritable maze of mystifica-
ton. He started to question her, but
she waved him to silence, her ear bent
back the course thsy had come as
though fearing pursuit.
1t took two hours to reach the near
est railroad point. She handed the
farmer some money, who stolidly went
his way. She had taken from the wag-
on a small satchel. They stood facing
one another in the gray breaking dawn.
"If you would explain" he init
mated gently. He saw that she was
limp and wilted, as though from reac-
ton of an intense strain.
81 am so glad!' she breathed, and
those clear, brave eyes again thrilled
his fixed glance. you do not under
stand? When l caused your arrest II
was because Rustler Dan and his riot
Gus crowd were In town seeking you.
knew you would be safe in the jail"
you blessed ANGEL" burst forth
Worden, spontaneously, and In his fer.
vor he kissed her hand.
II wanted to get away, myself" re-
sumed Gretchen, land now. to face the
world"
with myself and my dear sister ms
your grateful, loyal friends" spoke
Worden. "She will care for you till
you find your place in the world"
There was that need only for brief
period, for before the year was out
Gretchen Lee was sister In fact to Ma
bel Worden.