Charlevoix county herald., 1917-11-23

saw that he was far from having
been seriously injured. and that the
first thing he would do would be to
admit the clsmoring dragons. ! might
have returned and killed him with my
rapier, but could not bring myself to
do Il; and now ! am glad. although
was yet to have trouble with the fel-
low.
Seeing that the conditions were
favorable. I left the piazza and hurried
around the house until I came In sight
of the chariot; then ! allowed down to
an easy walk @ pace that tested my
nerves). and finally entered the vehi-
Gle and seated myself At the girls
side. Il was an intense moment. ]
thought the chariot would never start.
and made up my mind that II the ne
gro scented the facts and rebelled ]
would pass my rspier through his
body and seize the reins myself. And
that he did not rebel was remarkable;
for, besides the half dozen horses
hitched to rail beyond the gates.
there was enough to make him suspi.
cious In the sounds OF dull blows on
the door within.
But he evidently scented nothing
wrong at that time, for he gave head
to the restless horses. and we were
driven away. Ours had been q mas
teri retreat In the face OF the enemy.
l felt for the girls hand and pressed
IL. II was cold az Ice.
Now IL seemed as II our troubles
had drawn to an end, but at the bar
rier We we're threatened with more.
because It appeared that our coach.
man had no pass. had not figured
on him, and for few minutes land
minutes were valuable) thought we
were To be turned back, which would
have been the same az destruction
But Ii happened that Agnes knew the
officer of the guard: and when she as.
sured him that the negro's pass had
been overlooked, and that we were
only bound to Kips Bay and would re-
turn by sunset. he consented to our
going on, won more by the girls be.
deviling witchery than by argument.
A We rolled out into the country,
melancholy in its bsrrenness. for II
had been well-nigh dsnuded OF trees
near the city. bent close to the girls
ear.
why did you tell him Kips Bayf"
/ asked In a whisper.
"To throw him on the scent. We
are bound to be pursued ere long"
Il thought. perhaps. you had some
plan"
Il have none. Ny head is used up."
"And small wonder! But l think
see a way out. You have told Peter
we were going to Bloomingdale. We
will go there; and what is to prevent
our waiting until dark, taking the gov.
ernor's pleasure boat-for he must
have one-and rowing across the
river?"
He has boat" whispered the girl.
"but IL may have been put up for the
season. Oh. why could not ! have
thought Of such a simple thhiiEs The
Apthorpes have a boat. They are
mile beyond Robinson's. but they are
intensely loyal. ! know them WELL"
THE Apthorpes.'- ] exclaimed, and
In my surprise. for the family had
been friends of my fathers. Ispoke the
name too loud. Peter pulled up. Did
you order me to de Apthorpes. sahf"
he asked. turning his head.
YES" I answered desperately,
cursing myself for my carelessness.
Drive to the Apthorpes: we will let
Kips Bay go for today. 1t IL beginning
to rain!" The last was the truth, for
as ! spoke = cold drop struck me In
the face. 1t gave q good complexion
for the sudden change of program.
CAS- we drive by the governors
house / will make an excuse to stop
and investigate his house-bost, and
Hark!" said a. the boom of q dis
tant gun drifted from the barrier we
had left behind The girl and looked
at each other"
THE slert gun!' she exclaimed.
drawing herself together as II she
were suddenly cold. "Our escape has
been discovered!"
Il hardly think So" returned, to
comfort her: but ! was without q
doubt that she was right. Our line
Of flight had been marked. stood up
and looked back. but as yet there was
no sign OF pursuit; indeed. the road
was deserted of both wayfarers and
vehicles as far as I could see In either
direction. Nor was there the first sign
that we were being followed until Just
before we swung from the Kingsbridge
Road to the narrower highway leading
up the west side OF the island.
But then saw enough to become
aware that our time OF stress was not
yet over; for as stood up In the We.
hicle for the twentieth time and look
ed back, saw plainly against the sky,
and topping OF hill at least a mile in
our rear. the silhouetted figures of
seyeral horses being driven at speed.
Faster. Peter. Faster!" I cried
to the negro; but he did not appear
to heed me, for though the rain was