The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-04-01

donnlng the regulation garb he had
leisure to sit down and plan his
escape This seemed SO ridiculously
simple that he almost regretted there
need he nothing spectacular about 1t,
that there was no necessity for over
powering a guard or breaking bars, or
for any other kind Of heroics.
While entering the grounds he had
kept his eyes open, with the result
that he had a rough mental picture Of
Dunnings topography. and after the
first night he was positive he would
be free before the dawn Of another
day.
He lay awake until broad daylight,
hoping the next night would be
cloudy one, listening to the unearthly
sounds that came at intervals from
the violent wards-and thinking think
ing. He thought mostly of the future,
and the more he thought Of ii the
more wide awake he became. Sleep
was out Of the question.
Before noon that day came Esther.
She had brought him busket OF ed
Ibles and as she placed II on table
beside him he detected In her manner
dlsuuieting suggestion Of constraint.
But her first words were commonplace
enough.
"How are your she asked.
"Oh, about as well as | look. | sup
pose"
"I never saw you looking BETTER
she admiringly observed.
"You must remember you haven't
seen me very often" he reminded her.
Let me see-is II twenty or twenty.
five days since we first saw each
other?' He laughed and started to
remove the napkin from the basket of
food.
With quick movement her hand
flashed out and seized his. She glanced
swiftly around.
Don't open 1t till you're sure no
body's looking"
He was not slow to surmlSe that q
tile or some such instrument was con-
cealed In the basket, and though he
could scarcely repress a smile at the
unnecessity, he replaced the napkin
and said quite soberly: "All right. I'll
take care"
when do you expect to escape?''
she asked. speaking in cautious
whisper
Tonight. If It's dark"
"And you'll come to me? You'll let
| IN htHn h. A,A hsc 20 m
eagerly.
] He did not answer at once. During
the long, wakefu hours last night,
when he had renewed his glorious
castle building. this woman had not
figured In the dreams. As she noted
his hesitation the unreasoning jeaI-
ousy which she had been striving to
keep In check the past hve minutes
broke forth In furiously blind tor
rent.
"Never mInd!" she blazed, Don't
comet know you care nothing for
me. You ungrateful-"
"Wait! Let me explain"
Don't speak to met hate you.
shouldn't have come. hate you'll
Her voice had risen louder and
louder as her jealousy-inflamed pas
sion mastered her prudence.
"Will you be quiet?" demanded Fitz-
hugh. his own voice none too gentle.
"Of course I'm coming to you. Where
elso should | go? ! was only wonder
Ing how soon II would be-"
"Why did you smile at that girl"
she rushed on, needless of his prom
ise. "Why did she shield you In courtf
What is she to your"
/ He wondered what this woman
would be were her jealousy given Sc
rious provOcation. and shook his head
hopelessly.
! "She's nothing to me-" he said.
willing to do anything for the sake
] OF peace. IL don't know why she tes-
tilted that way. Don't ask me. You're
still living In the same place. aren't
you. Esther? II you are-and nothing
goes wrong-Iil be there tomorrow
morning before breakfast"
The earnestness and sincerity with
which he said this seemed to reassure
her. Besides she was beginning to
regret her outburst and was glad to
be Quieted. When after a while she
left him there was In her heart only
a trace of doubt and deep humilia-
ton. She was burning with shame for
having barred her most unlovely side
to the eyes of the man she loved.
In secluded corner Fitzhugh opened
the lunch and beneath the chicken
sandwiches and chocolate cake he
found heavy file and coll Of rope
He managed to conceal them In his
coat without detection.
When he retired II bade fair to be
clear night. but before one O'Clock
the moon was obscured by clouds. and
the muttering Of distant thunder her
aided q storm. Although he had mo-
slept for the last forty hours he hat
successfully battled the temptation t.
close his eyes and was therefOr'
awake when the first shadow crossed
the moon. He hustled into his clothes
stuck the file into pocket. buttonet
the rope under his coat and felt hi
way through the inky blackness to {