Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-04
CHAPTER II
A Meetinq-and a Spy


Ten minutes later Phillipa's clear
voice was heard saying farewell to
Margaret She came out into the
dusk calling the lovers.
Il want to give Ann Mary taste
of my cowslip wine," said Margaret,
who had followed Phillipa to the
door. Happen Jim'll see Miss
Phillipa down to the bottom and
Ann Mary can run after"
Jim led the way down the path in
silence until Phillipa stopped him.
Looking at her in the faint light, he
saw that her face was greatly trou-
bled. She laid her hand on his arm.
'Jim." she said, Ann Mary told
YOU that l had come spurposely to
see you?'
Yes. miss" he answered.
She remained silent for moment
and then with a frightened look
round drew nearer to him, and
spoke in a lower whisper, Jim, my
cousin has escaped"
Jim Britten started as if she had
told him that the mine had blown
up. He drew back. staring at her.
Miss Phillipa." he whispered.
"Mr. Clinton-escaped."
Yes, Jim. And oh, Jim, I'm
afraid-afraid he's some desperate
project in coming down here to
Mannersley. to my father-to-to
me-" she said. Listen, Jim, l got
a letter this morning from a friend
Of mine in London. inclosing one
which she said had been sent to her
with a most urgent request that it
should be sent on to me under cover
of one from her. / opened the
blank envelope. and found a letter
from my cousin. He told me that
he had made his escape, and would
leave no stone unturned to prove his
innocence. There was the same old
bitter spirit again-against my
father, Jim. He vowed and pro-
tested his innocence just as-but
You know, Jim"
"Yes, Miss Phillipa," said Jim, in
a strained voice, Il know know"
And he reiterated all he said
about conspiracies and plots. and so
on" she continued. ooh, I'm sure
he means to come back to Manners
ley! And he'll come to you first, Jim,
because you're his foster brother.
L shouldn't wonder, MISS" said
Jim quietly. I'm fact, since you told
me that he'd got away that's Just
what I've made up my mind to-
and in that case make yourself
easy. miss-Ill let you know
Heaven bless you." she said.
And but here's Ann Mary. Come,
Ann Mary, we must hurry home"
A minute later Jim Britten had
kissed his sweetheart, pressed her
young mistress hand, and was
Fastening up the rocky path to the
cottage. He found his mother
in hot
well. Jim, lad" she said, II
shall be off to my rest-I expect
you'll be sitting up over your books
and figures"
AYE, mother" he answered. 81
shall sit up latish tonight. I've a lot
to do, and I'm not a bit sleepy"
He sat working-and thinking
hour after hour, and there was all
ways a look of strained attention,
OF expectancy, on his face, in spite
of the books. And at last, in the
dead silence of midnight, came what
he had expected-a summons that he
had known in years of old-a
curious tap at the cottage window.
Jim Britten rose slowly and, turn
ing down the lamp, went over and
unbarred the door.
Out of the shelter Of a holly-bush
which flanked the side Of the cot
tage porch a mans figure emerged.
and without a word slipped past Jim
into the living room. In the same
silence Jim barred the door again
and turned to the lamp. The visitor
laid hand on his arm in passing.
"Jim-you knew the old signaI!"
Jim turned up the light. 1t fell
on the face and figure of a young
man of apparently twenty-three or
twenty-four years of age, handsome
OF feature, slender and graceful of
body. But the face was worn and
strained, and it seemed to Jim that
the frame was thin and wasted. He
hastily pushed forward a chair to
the hearth, and poured out some hot
milk which he had been keeping in
readiness on the hob.
Sir down, sir, and drink that" he
said. You're cold"
Il came through the woods at the
back, Jim. All. that's good-thank
you. You didn't expect to see me,
Jim?"
Il did, sir" said Jim. pushing his
visitor into chair. Il knew you'd
come to me-"
The visitor stared at him in sur
prise and half started from his