Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-12-19

mother within, slamming the door in
the face of the mob. He instantly se-
cured the door by pushing the heavy
iron bars into the sockets.
Our hero next explored the room
which had afforded such timely shelter
from q horrible death. 1t was dark
and gloomy, and as Du Mont CROPPED his
way around in the darkness his mother
gladly chung to his arm, fervently
thanking God that she was once more
permitted to be with her brave and
loyal son.
All the while the frantic mob without
was venting their vengeance by assail-
ing the door, which creaked and ratified
from the blows that would in short
time cause it to topple from the hinges.
leaving the fugitives in the power Of
relentless foe.
Finally our hero discovered q small
trap-door near the center of the build
ing, which he Enclosed by accidentally
pressing upon secret spring. He
peered down into the opening. but
everything was in utter darkness. The
door that the mob was battering down
began to show signs of giving way.
Du Mont hurridly descended into the
opening, which had ON entrance lead
ing downward by the means of stone.
steps. He first assisted his mother to
descend, and then, by noiselessly clos
ing the trap-door he shut himself and
his mother in a living tomb.
The fagitives went carefully down,
down the narrow damp steps of their
dungeon, until, having descended sew
eral flights they reached an iron door,
which abruptly terminated the passage.
way.
Du Mont moved his hand over the
door in hopes that he might fined some
way by which it could be opened, but
his search was without avail. He then
crouched to the bottom of the dreary
tomb to ascertain of what the pavement
was composed of. His touch on every
side met with cold fag-stones. They
were walled in from the outside world,
deep into the bowels of the earth.
He cast his eyes around him in
mute dispair, when he perceived a
dim ray Of light from beneath
the door he had so fruitlessly tried to
unclose! Our hero's soul was stirred
with mingled thrill of Joy and hope,
for he believed whoever those walls en-
closed to be q friend to the aherent of
the King.
Pressing close to the aperture from
whence the light appeared he said:
"For the love of heaven and the
King, give admittance to the son and
his aged mother, who are fugitives from
q murderous mob!"
Du Mont awaited breathlessly for q
response, as he was aware that the mob
might at any moment discover the re-
treat by which they had so miraculously
escaped. At length, after the lapse Of
what seemed an age to him, he heard
in low responsive tone: @Who calls"
Madam Du Mont and her son!" our
hero replied.
Instantly he detected a grating
sound, as of the removing Of
bolts and bars, when the door
was quickly opened, revealing a human
form, who hastily babe the fugitives
enter. The door was then secured,
and the kind benefactor who had given
the fugitives place of refuge, clasped
the hand of each and nobly said !:
Madame Du Mont and son, thrice well
come to my dungeon home!"
By this time the fugitives had be-
come sufficiently accustomed to the mo-
mentary blindness, caused from the
eyes being exposed to the suddenness
of the light, to recognize in their loyal
host, the Marquis D'Vernon, who was a
very warm friend. After happy greet
ings had been exchanged by the re-
united friends. the Marquis drew back
the heavy curtains which devided the
low but not uncomfortable prison-like
home, and in tender voice said:
"Clarissa, my daughter, welcome our
friends who have been guided to our
retreat by the kind hand of Provi-
dence."
The young lady came joyfully for
ward, warmly embracing Madame
Du Mont, whom she had loved with, an
affection akin to mother, ever since she
had known her, as her mother had
died when she was but child. As
she bowed to our hero a rosy smile
fitted across her countenance.
Clarissa DeVernon was beautiful
young maiden, perfect form, white deep
blue eyes and golden hair, which
clustered in graceful little ringlets over
q brow of sncwy-whiteness.
| Meanwhile the mob had succeeded in
battering down the door of the room
which the fugitives had so hastily
quilted. Dashing furiously into the
chamber, they carefully searched it.
but, not finding the fugitives, the super
stitious mob abandoned the pursuit, be-
leiving that they had escaped by the
i aid of supernatural power. !.
After several hours suspense Du Mont
ioyfully realized that they were in no
further danger from the batfled and IN
furiated mob.
AS time wore on, Du Mont learned
to passionately love the beau
tiful Clarissa, who shyly en-
couraged but evaded his declar.
atoms of love, until his whole soul went
ont to her in pure, fervent devotion;
Our hero thanked his stars that he had
reached such haven Of refuge.
One day Victor Du Mont was alone
with Clarissa, in an apartment Of their
prison home. He had come from the
presence of the old Marquis, OF whom
he had cheerfully gained consent to