The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-06-24

was soon kneeliDg, hurriedly seeking his
pulse for the ghastly, haggard face and closed
eyes had suggested horrid suspIcicn which
only the faint flickerlng Of the pulse dlspelled
"Elvire," hand me that bottle, said Henri, ex
citedly; aud his frightened .fancee handed HIN
the bottle of ChdFtTeuSe, which had beer
dropped on the ground. Henri quickly eX
tracted the cork with his knife, and had soor
forced some OF the invigorating cordial down
the apparently hfeless mans throat
Almost breathlessly he watched the effect
II have heard Of men being lost in these cata
COMBS" whispered Henri, awe.struck, land
wandering about until they died of starvation
but never realized the horror of it until now y
A ftuttering motion began to stir the closed
eyelids. Then all was still Again came the
slight movement. This time the hollow eyes
slowly opened, with vacant CLASSY stare
second draught OF the Chartreuse: and now
the eyes opened with more intelligent look
The man tried to raise himself sank back
again, and in faint whisper, mutterh:
"Where am ~
IIenrl's sole answer was TO tear open Ell
vlre's bundle Of cakes, one OF which the man
seized and devdured with such eager avidity
that HcnII's suspicious were contirmed-the
man was certainly starving.
A few more cakes and Chartreuse sorestored
HIM, that he was able to realize his condition,
and relate how he had fallen INTO such a sore
strait. 1t was as Henri had supposed Three
days before he had joined party to explore
the catacombs, and straying away from the
others, had entirely lost his way, among the
labyrinth of passages, miles of which he must
have traversed in the darkness, shouting for
assistance until hunger overpowered him, and
he sank down, after which he knew nothing
until he saw Henri bending over him He
had been an entire stranger to the other men,
beers of the party, and as none of his friends
had known his intention OF visiting the cata-
combs, OF course no search had been instituted.
Thank God, who led Elvlre's feet down
into this gloomy cavern, tor she ii was who
saved you, not |, monsieur" said Henri, fer
vently.
MAY He shower His richest blessings upon
herr" replied the stranger, reverently kissing
the young girls hand But is 1t not time 10
return TO your party? They must be growing
impatient, and think can walk now"
Our party" echoed Henri, a horrible re.
membrancc flashed across his mind. "They
are total strangers to us; they would never
notice our absence. Oh! what have we done ~
Call ~ sand the stranger, now thoroughly
aroused and soon the vaults were resOunding
with the despalring shouts Of the frightened
trio A pause. A dead silence, during which
the candles, hitherto unnotiCed, flnIed up
brightly tliCkered tor a moment, then expired.
The calacombs were lett 20 their usual dense
darkness.
Elvire threw her arms around Hcnr's neck,
with wild, agonlzed scream, while Henri
again shouted, with all the energy of despair.
But the same terrible silence was the only
answer.
Alas" said the stranger, mournlully. For
me the bitterness of death was passed. Why
did an inscrutabe providence decree that your
bright young lives should fall a useless sacri.
flee to me?"
"Do not reproach yourself, monsieur" an.
swered Henri IL cannot regret assisting you,
for feel that if we die, our lives will be given
in good cause. Elvire, take courage" SAID
he, tenderly trying to soothe the sobbing girl.
I'VE have food enough to keep us alive for
two or three days, and who knows what may
happen in that tlme"
Gradually the hours wore on until night
had come, as nearly as they could judge; they,
tor whom night and day had no difference.
Henri had seated himself on the damp floor,
and Elyire, who had finally worn herself out
with weeping had fallen into an uneasy sleep,
with her head on his shoulder. The stranger
was lying near them, and gradually the two
men entered into conversation.
us that young girl your sister," asked the
stranger.
mo, monsieur" answered Henri. "She
would have been my wife, long ago, had
things gone well with US"
"Ah" remarked the stranger so sympa.
thetically that Henri felt his questioning no in.
truslon. "IOu are perhaps poOr?"
"Yes," answered the young man, moodlly,
81 can starye along myself barely keeping
body and soul together; but can't ask Elvire
to share such lite"
"Iave you a profession
"Yes, the most precarious one In the world.
am an artist without friends or influence"
"Indeed" said the stranger, with renewed
interest," and Henri soon found himself relat
Ing the story of his struggles and disappoint,
ments, with complete absence of reserve.
When, at last, silence fell upon them, Henri
felt in some measure cheered, in spite of their
condition.
YEARLY the next day dragged on and when
night came, our three friends were all little
quieter, little more hopeless, little weaker
than IN the morning. Very sparingly they
partook OF the cakes and cordial, but with all
their care they consumed, during the day, halt
OF their precious provisions.
The next morning, Elvire, who had been
perfectly silent for hours, asked, abruptly: is
1t very long, Henri Il mean death by starva.
tom"
mo, my darling, l hope not" answered
Henri shudderlng; while great tears of an.
guish rolled down his cheeks.
Another long silence followed, broken again
by Elvire, who suddenly raised her head, and
SAID, exci,edly, Henri, is that sound the drip
ping Of the damp roof? No, it can't be. |
am sure 1t Is growing louder. She sprang to
her feet as she finished, listening intently.
Henri sprang up, and the stranger.
81 see a light-a light" screamed the girl
peering intently down the dark passage.
Again Henri's voice rang through the som
bre caverns, though very little of the vigor OF
two days before, and again followed an agon
lied instant of suspense.
"llullo!" shouted a gruT voice, which
seemed sweeter than music from the spheres
Henri sank back, completely overpowered