THE BROAD ARROW.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10333, 29 April 1899, Page 2

THE BROAD ARROW.

♦— ' E: M. Jaxxbox, is tub Suuun MAeAXura. , i Dusk had fallen upon the lonely stretches ' of Dartmoor. Grey mists swept round the summits of the tors and lay thick and im- | penetrable in the valleys below, and little by lit—te the landmarks were blotted from view. ■-*"" ' ~ -■, j ! Something as-grey as the-shadows crawled from a'cleft in one'of the tors and, as'if with every nerve quickened, stood -to listen. Not a sound broke the stillness; in the -whole of that vast solitude not a creature .seemed-to stir, .and the man in- grey, as he looked around him, drenVa.lohg breath of relief. .*S • - i. J All day, from his eyrie in the furrowed side \ of v the'rock, he had seen men'scouring the 'moor, • beatingyaibout as if-for game,- and passing within a few yards of their quarry's hiding-place. So close, indeed," that once he cowered back with, a sick.apprehension that. sent great drops of moisfcarfr coursing down his face, enduring the torture of-the eternally lo3t at the thought of recapture. The searchers had gone, but the convict knew that, for a certainty, the kingdom must be ringing with his miraculous escape, and that far and near he would be looked for. Better a thousand times to die here in the x open than be retaken] He glanced roun3 him desperately. The wide road that traversed the moor was hardly distinguish? able in the gloom. He must keep away from the beaten track and trust in Providence/«

Providence! He smiled at the'word; but it was easier of belief here in the open, with the keen, pure atmosphere setting his senses ouivering with the joy of living, than there-. His. eyes turied in the direction of Princetown, not many miles away, and he shud- ■ dered. To the luxurious- man of the world, twelve months of a convict's life seemed , a century, and there would be many and many and many a year to follow. His hand sought, mechanically in his breast for the fragment of rope he had picked up near his hiding-place. There were other means of escape after aIL To rid himself of his tell-tale apparel was the problem. .' . "'■ ... He crept down the rugged side of the torhalf fearfully, eveiy - rustle of the heather against his foot making him start. The hunger which all day had been so acute as to be painful had now become an aching sensation that did not greatly-trouble him. He felt almost gay by the .time he had tramped a few miles, "and with difficulty kept from breaking into a whistle. He was young and strong, and the shame and degradation fell away from him. " He kept, as close as he could, to' the, road,, and presently, seeing a wide footpath, he passed down it and came to a large iron, gate. He pressed his face agains the bars and looked in, mfking out the* form of a long, low house against the lighter glimmer of the sky. Coming towards him was the light of carriage-lamps. He crouched among the brake; a groom got down, and the gate swung open. -In the momentary pause the watcher heard a pleasant, cultivated-man's voice, either that of the driver or his companion, say": — "Ihen the little chao doesn't mind being left to his own devices!' It's rather dull lor hmVish't it?" ■ -' "I suppose fso" replied another voice, irritably; "but he's used to it, poor little beggar. After all, a man must dine out now and then." ' \ , ' „'.'-", The mare"plunged forward and the gate swung to with a click. beat.. atJ lightning, speed.. .Here was' his Opportunity. ■ ~ ' .." , , . i .'. He made his WayJrapidly up the'"drive, listening at intervals.'" As he neared the house he saw a light glimmering from a long -window at the left of the hall door. ;.Theblind was only partly drawn, arid-he' looked in. " ■ -' ' ' " , *. . A little boy was the sole occupant of the room. ~ He stood in the middle of the floor, his face puckered into a. perplexed, frown. '.He "was dressed in the.mpst incongruous' time-pressed; Geoffrey'-Bo^daile.-could hot' refrain from looking at the child, his behaviour was so funny. He bowed to an imaginary audience, then, giving,, a sudden twirl, endeavoured to stand oh his head. Again and again he tried,only to fail as-many -times, and the onlooker grew quite excited over the performance. So much so, indeed, that, forgetting where he was, he leant too heavily against the long French window !, and it'suddenly opened inward and precipitated him into the room.

He found himself confronting the astonished acrobat, from whom he momentarily expected to hear a cry of alarm. In former days Geoffrey had been beloved of animals and children, and this characteristic stood him in good stead now. The boy looked at him gravely, then his little face broke into a smile.

"Why, you're dressed up, too," he said, thrusting,his hands into his baggy trousers as he surveyed the man, in grey; "what fun! Now there'll be two pretend. It's so. .dull by myself $ though I make up a good deal as; I go along," •-',.- *" , : - ' 5 The visitor took the cue at once. "So it is," he replied, at the same time looking l round cautiously;. "but is there no one here;, to play with you?" / •• ' ■»

As he spoke he lowered iha blind, an action which Teddy did not notice. The ohild shook ,his head.

"Father's gone out to dinner, and so nas' Uncle. Jack—Uncle Jack only came the.day before yesterday. Nurse and. cook are in the kitchen; Kate---that's the housemaid — has gone to see her mother at Post Bridge; and Courtman's out with the dog-cart. Courtman's really nicer than any of them."

- ■ "Perhaps you ore accustomed to playing by yourself?" ';.;' / ';-* " ' - -, Tears suddenly rose in Teddy's eyes, -but he tried to blink them away before the visitor could, .see them.- .' t . -."There —there used ,tb he mother, ...you know; -Fathers are different somehow, aren't ,they? They haven't -I suppose?'' looking with wistful eyes aV'his visitor ; fer cxnulfmatiott of the fact." . 'v;

"Quite different; there's nothing in the whole world like a mother."' Geoffrey was thinking of bis own days. - ; ■A.tear fell from Teddy's down-benbface on .the. oarpeb at-the speaker's feet,- but as it | soaked in at once, Teddy hoped it had not "been noticed. He rumpled his' curly pate and heaved a sigh.. '' „'- >Ni * "' > . "I say, What shall we play at?" "You choose," replied toe man in grey, his hearing always painfully on the alert for surprises. "I must say that I'm rather tired of this get-up—yours is so much better than mine." "Well, yours is rather hideous," said Teddy, encWvouring to mingle candour with politeness; "but then I suppose it's more uncommon than mine, I had it for a fancy dress ball, and Tm going to another soon, when they make a new mayor, you know, and I do so want to be able to turn a somersault" "It would beuseM." "I shall have to manage to learn somehow," said Teddy, with portentous gravity. "Bob Smith can torn beauties. I say," has eyes travelling afresh over the others's costume, "what are those things? Something like t&e- tops' of tooating-forks." He broke into an infectious splutter of laughter, and Borradaile smiled in response, despite the torture' of inaction. 'T can't imagine why I chose this rig-ovt" he replied, keeping up the farce. "I wish Td something else to put on." Teddy suddenly sprang into the air, his face red with excitement "Why, therefore heaps and heaps of things upstairs; let's go and get some ,and then perhaps you'd teach- mc to turn a somersault? I can nearly do it—you'd only have to give mc a shove at the right time. Do come along, only very quietly, or nurse will come, and I don't want her to." Nor did Borradaile; and they stole across the hall and up the staircase, he taking off h_ heavy boots and carrying them under his

arm, upon which Teddy, with a silent, burglarious chuckle of enjoyment, sat on the bottom stair and removed his little patent

leather house shoes, tucking; them under his capacious scarlet and white sleeve,They had reached, the top of the flight, when a voice from the hall below'sent a sickening -wave of terror over Borradaile. ' Master Theodore, where are you?" . Teddy held up his finger, warningly, and advanced top - of the stairs.•Tninere,' nurse; Tve only come to get something out of father's room; he said I could have it" "It's getting on for your bedtime, so don't be long up there. Til put your supper in -the study, unless .you'd like to" have it with isook and mc in the kitchen." . ' "Taj, just not going to have if in, the kitchen ; put it itt the study, and-father said] ,1 could have some chicken if I liked," V| The steps retreated again, to the accompaniment'of muttered remarks', and Teddy, having routed the enemy, led the way triumphantly to his father's room; ■ "Nnrseria so,cross," he explained, trying at the same time to drag a. heavy box forward. 'Tm too old for a nurse now. Bob Smith says it's rediclns. ~[ When we go home*' I shall be eight, and then I'll ask father if' I can do without one." "Isn't this your home?" asked Borradaile, ' his eyes glancing quickly round the dimlylighted, untidy bedroom. . "One of 'em," replied Teddy; "the other's ' ever so much bigger;- but I had fever, and the doctor said I was to come here for change. Hasn't my hair grown? You look , as if you'd had fever, yours is 'so short." Borradaile-Teddened, and passed his hand over'his close-cropped head.. ';•'"' "I like' short hair, Theodore." Teddy began to laugh again, -but" fortu-. nately, both in his utterances and his mirth, he kept up the role of burglar, and was very mysterious and silent.. "So does father and Undo Jack. Uncle Jack wears his nearly as short as you. But, I saj, everybody except the servants, and ; even some of them, call mc Teddy." . , Hs had opened the trunk and now dis--1 played its contents, a heterogenous collec- ; tion of costumes, for Teddy's, father was > great at theatricals, and in his time had played many'parts. There was a box of i cosmetics, at sight of which Borradaile's lace brightened. Luck seemed superlatively good, so far ; surely it would not desert him now. Teddy, who had been watching his' facfe, chuckled silently with pleasure. "Choose, whatever you like," he said, smoothing a laced "satin coat that lay upper-, most, "then, when you're ready, we*ll pretend." Borradaile had already made his choice. "Go down and wait for mc, Teddy; you see I want to.surprise you," as the boy's face lengthened. "Don't say a word to anyone, and I'll be with you in "ho time." Teddy noddled, and ran off cheerfully enough, his parti-coloured raiment flapping round him as he ran. • In that other life which seemed so far away, Geoffrey-Borradaile had also .taken part in amateur theatricals. He changed characters now- with he had never attained to in those days, donning the entire costume of a country gentleman which he found lying upon the bed just as bis host had flung it, and leaving in exchange under the raiment in the trunk a suit of grey adorned with the broad arrow.- There was" a loaded revolver lying upon a side-table; he looked at it longingly, hesitated, then put ib in his pocket. Then he .stole to the head of the stairs and listened. The house was very quiet He could hear Teddy humming softly to himself." ' He made his way to'the study, and held .up his hand, just hrtime to prevent the boy's exclamation! - r "You're so like Uncle Jack," - he said, walking 'round his guest, "and he just has that browny look. But why did you chocsa such a stupid get-up? Let's have some supper, though, and then you'll teach mc the somersault, won't!you.? 'Nurse is all right, bacause one of Farmer Giles's men has come in. The ,<«fo she*-likes.-. Do be quick." There.was chicken on the ~iible, and bread-and-butter and new milk. Teddy was far too excited to eat, and at no time had he a large appetite, yet to this day nurse tells hbw a little boy of seven disposed of half a chicken and unlimited bread-and-butter at one meal. .',,, , ' ' ' ; Geoffrey; BorraVjaile ate hastily. .There warf the somersault instruction'to he ancy he 'had a code of honour still which 'made iv difficult'to disappoint and break'faith with a child. Yet it was madness 1 to stay. He rose ..went to t<ha,,door, and listened.. A subdued chatter, broken- by -"a" shcoit of laughter, came from the kitchen. He returned to Teddy; who had watched' his movements with interest. s ; . "I believe you're afraid of her, yourself!''. he remarked, trying to balance a salt-spoon on»fche tip of his,nose; "she's a'bedsfe to mc/ ,'bvLt ; thj^ , A|rSonlda't d\6 you-anv* : h'arm." Borra'daQo made a Sudden resolve. "He placed the spoon on the table, arid sitting down drew the boy to his knee. He seemed to have taken another character with, his tweeds and immaculate linen, and something' in' his expression reduced Teddy, to' preternatural gravity. "bee here, Teddy, one man ought to help another out of a fix?" ' . Teddy nodded, his eyes -fastened on the handsome, haggard face near his own. That's what father said one day to Uncle Jack, only he said a tight place, . It's" the same as a fix, perhaps?" • "Exactly the same. Well, Tm in ' a tight place, a very tight place, my boy, and you're tho man to help mc out of it." ; Teddy's grey eyes darkened with pride; he nodded. .. •, ' c . , -. , "Now," resumed Borradaile,' "I don't want Anybody to" know I've been here, not even your father if you can help it, for a few days. I'm afraid hell have to, though, on account of ,his clothes.' However, in a few hours I hope to be with friends. It is nothing" that can harm your father, Teddy, or it wouldn't be fair to ask you—but I'm in danger. What is your father's name, by the way?" "Brooke, Captain Broo&eV' "\ ,' • "Ronald Brooke, of the —tli?"' "Yes, he's not in the Army now. Do you know him? l *.- ---• Borradaile's face had' grown rigid and stern. Ha half put the boy. away from him. "I met he said, in a strained, hard voice that made Teddy tremble; "what was your mother's name?" "Theodora,"yTeddy spoke almost timidly;" "isn't it pretty?" ' ' : " But the listener was ligtening.no longer. I His thoughtsrhf-td flown back over the space I of. a decade, to the time when his life had' been bounded by a Theodora, the_only girl I he ever loved. She wohloThave been faithful enough to the young lover whose wild o:<ts were so plentiful,a crop, but Ronald Brooke | was rich and steady, even though he had the ' temper of a devil, and Theodora's constancy wi^s.overruled." !...,. ! He broke in. upon his own thoughts by taking' Teddy's face between his hands and searching, .with., hungry, longing-eyes for a. i trace of Teddy wriggled (himself free. Borradaile rose, to his feet hurriedly. " ■ • "I must go, Teddy. Do you mind posfc- < poning the somersault? I'm sorry, but I have so far to go to-night." I "I don't mind & bit about the somersault," said Teddy, "but -I wish you hadn't- to go. We've had such fun, haven.'t*we?" Borradaile forced a smile. After-all, what had been fnn to the boy might mean death to him, and he could not agree very' heartily. He opened the window quietly. "Good-bye, Teddy," hs said; "I shall never forget" But Teddy was fumbling in n corner of the cupboard, and only nodded over his shoulder in response. Borradaile made way rapidly down the drive, and had reached the gate, when he.heard quick, pattering footsteps hastening after him. It was Teddy, out of breath. He thrust something into Borradaile's hnnd. "Hea«—l want' you—jto take this—you might be short. When''Uncle-Jack's in a tight place—he means he-hasn't any money —and I thought—you mightn't either. It's mine—every bit, to do as I like with." Teddy felt -himself swung up into a pair of "strong arms and literally hugged, and in his surprise" at "finding something wet upon his cheek forgot to wish that his visitor's face had been less prickly. He was glad he'had remembered what a tight place meant, but he Btood for a moment somewhat forlornly in the drive swallowing a lump in his thoat before turning to face nurse's probable scolding. What did he care for a'scolding, when he had helped another

comes to Teddy on a certain date a red pillar-post money-box containing a remembrance, trifling at first, but,growing in value year by year- - And in'the sanctum of one of the richest Australian sheep farmers, on a bracket above his easy-chair, stands tho original red pillarpost, the founder of his fortunes. _'.