The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-09-01
THE BITTER And THE SWEET.
A Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER III-TCoNTINUED.l

CHAPTER lll-lCoNTINUED.l
The two went to work, and in few
minutes had released the poor sufferers
from their perilous position.
They were leaving the detestable,
sickening place when Johnny's quick
ear caught a faint moaning at distant
corner.
"Harkl Williams; / hear a moan.
Who can it be? This way with your
lantern, quick; perhaps it may be my
father, or-or maybe it is that poor
beautiful girl!
Williams quickly glanced at Johns
pale, anxious face, and what he saw
there told him all.
In damp, dark corner lay the al
most lifeless form OF Mr.. Jones.
~Great heavens! he is deadl My
poor mother, my poor mother; what
will you do?"
Then he raised his father in his
strong arms and gently pressed his ear
to the almost silent heart.
Thank COD! He is not dead All,
but nearly so from the loss of blood. ;"
The two then carried the almost life
less body out in the fresh air, and
gently laid it on the soft velvety moss.
During this time the rest of the party
had found and lighted the lamp that
had been extinguished when Johnny
had fred.
They had searched the room long
and thoroughly, and were about to give
up in despair of finding any secret door
when one of the party discovered a
spring knob resembling one of the nails
of the floor.
1t was tightly pressed, when to their
great surprise a trap door flew open
and they then plainly saw how the
other thief had SO easily escaped.
A pair of steep, narrow steps, led
down into dark damp room.
1--WE must go down, boys, for he is
certainly hiding somewhere near here"
They were soon searching the floor and
walls of the lower room.
No one is here, you see, and it seems
almost impossible to find secret
door"
"But there is one somewhere, and it
must be found"
After another long and close search
one of the party found small, round,
yellow stone, different from the rest.
He pressed it once, twice, three times
then door opened in front of him as
gently as leaf falling in the air.
"Ah! What means all this, boys
Are we entering ali enchanted region,
or is it all one horrible dream?'
Il don't know anything about en-
chanted regions, but this does seem very
strange. Let US go in and see what We
can find"
AS the door swung open bright
light flashed in their eyes and sweet
scented, warm air famed their cheeks
After crossing a short corridor that
separated the two rooms they entered
one of grandeur and beauty, fit for a
king in the glory of his reign. The
room was not large, but roomy, and
brilliantly lighted by candles placed
in gold candlesticks that were set with
diamonds.
The walls had the appearance OF
solid gold, while the floor was covered
with rose-colored plush. The orna-
ments of the room were made of gold,
and from many flashed the bright light
of the pure diamond A few choice
oil paintings hung on the wall, while
in the center of this room was table
on which were placed many strange and
beautiful curiosities that had been gath
cred from all parts of the globe.
One side of this room was beautiful,
dehcately eolored plush, hung on rods
of gold.
The curtains were trimmed, and
slightly looped from the center, with
gold fringe
1t seemed to the lockers on that
there was room back of this, or
rather, that this curtain was a partition
Young Jones and the Sheriff were
still working with the rescued prison
erS-
By the time the discoveries had some
what recovered from their surprise, the
the other two had found their way
down the trap door and into this beau
tiful room.
Hello! what has happened and wha
does all this mean?
Have YOU fellows led us on here tC
some unknown, enchanted world?"
"No, Sheriff Williams, there is neither
a sorcercr here nor are you here by
means OF magic, but by means of force
and you are certainly aware that youl
presence is not at all agreeable"
The whole party gazed in utter
amazement at what they now saw, and
could scarcely believe their own eyes
As Jones and the Sheriff entered the
room the curtains were parted in the
center, and man, arrayed in robe iii
for king, with crown of gold and
diamonds on his head, stood before
them.
rs it necessary for me to repeat VIVA,
| said to you, Mr.. Williams" uttered
this unknown, strange man.
No, 1t is not necessary, you thief
YOU villain. l, the Sheriff, come to ar.
rest You IL the name of the law
This grand splendor and brilliancv
did not petrify young Jones, for The
man in front Of him he recognized to be
the second party he had seen in the
room above.
at will be of no use to YOU. Master
Jones, TO become angry with me and
wish for my arrest, because YOU have mo
chance or right to do so.
This house is now in nv possession.
and these rooms were prepared for the
girl you have known as Lima Rice
simply wish justice, sir"
You have your reward, JOHNNY
Jones; you have driven her away,
whom you would have laid down your
to save"
You lie! [ have driven no one
away, but to-day have sent three of
your worthless villains to eternal pun
ishment, and, if the Sheriff does not
arrest You immediately, / will shoot
YOU dead"
Very well then, let him come: but.
| warn You, he cannot touch me!n
As Williams advanced toward this
strange. unknown man. he suddenly