Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-05-05

before being slaughtered Ike her pre-
decessors. barely 20 fortnight was now
left-practicallv even less IN fact, for II
she could not succeed in escaping during
Keretseuyi's absence, 10 was hopeless 10
dream of doing 50 after his return, which
might occur al any moment.
But how was this 70 be done: Watched
and followed everywhere as she was by
her husbands retaluers, she had no
chance Of getting outside Of the castle
walls alone, and even If she could IN
trfve 70 give them the ship while riding
out in their company, what then: She
did not even know which way TO turn IN
order 70 reach the more civilized region
beyond the mountains, while her Jallers
knew the whole country by heart, and
nothing would be easier than TO track
her down, for in that wild district a lady
3ourneying by herself wassure 70 attract
universal attention.
What could she DO? Oh, if she had but
one friend outside the walls with whom
abe could communicate! But where was
such a friend 70 be found? And then
there came back to hsr, bitterly enough,
the thought Of the nan who would have
given his life 70 save her, and who, &C
cording 70 popula rumor, had killed
himself in despair at her betrayal Of
HIM. Vas she nc justly punished now?
She had sold hers-f as a slave to please
her father, and tins was her reward.
That evening, IS if the weird fascina-
ton of her approaching doom impelled
her 70 the cetseleSs contemplation Of
images of dealt and horror, she assembled
for the first tine TO the glooniest part Of
the whole castle. q projecting tower Of
massive though ruiDO1s masonry, which
Overhung the approach TO the main en-
trance, snd had doubtless been used in
former times as spoet Of vantage whence
the defenders might shower their mis-
dles upon an advancing enemy This
turret bore the grim title Of The Pit
Tower" a name fearfuIly explained by
the traces Of a large circular opening in
the pavement Of the highest platform,
which, though now covered over with
moldehng and weather worn fagstones.
was still plainly visible.
Peeping tremblIngly through the
chinks between these stones. Madeleine
looked down into a black and hideOus
gulf Of unknown depth, u Of which
rose a foul, damp, grave like odOr that
made her feel sick and faint
This then must be the dreadful pit
darkly limited at in 50 many Of her hus-
bands wild stories, into whose sunless
depths his savage ancestors were wont
to hurl their captive foes. Was this %
be her fate likewise? or wa she reserved
for the lingering death Of that wretched
traitor whose unbuned corpse now stood
in his enemy's banquet hall, lighting her
AZ her solitary meal?
Just then a soft strain Of music stole
upon the dreamy stiffness Of the even
ing air, and Madeleine, looking down,
saw neal the foot Of the wall one Of
those wandering gypsy minstrels who
are 50 numerous in every part Of Hun
gary and Transylvania. He had evil
IDENTIFY caught sight Of her as she leaned
over the battlements, for he dotted his
well worn velvet cap and bowed as If in
salute. Then touching with a practiced
hand the small three stringed guitar
which he had just unslung from his
shoulders he began % sing.
But az the very first words Of the song
Princess Keretseuyi gave a violent start,
and bent eagerly forward Y the para
pet of the wall. Il was a French song
that this Transylvanian minstrel was
singing, and, more wonderful still, it
wa a favorite song Of her own, which
hardly any one knew by heart except
herself. Nor was this all. The voice
which sang it wSS one which she had
never expected to hear again-never, at
least, on this side Of the grave.
Madeleine's heart seemed 70 stand still
as she listened Had her ears deceived
her: OF had the grave indeed given upits
dead, and heaven wrought a miracle for
her deliverance;
At that moment the last ray Of the set
ting sun, which was sinking redly behind
the dark green waves Of wooded mount
ain that surged upon every side as far as
the eye could reach fell right upon the
minstrel's upturned face. Madeleine
gave a quick gasp, and clutched the bat
tement 10 support herself. All her
doubts were ended now, for although
the singer had the shaggy black hair
and swarthy complexion Of a native
gypsy his features were those Of her lost
lover, Henri de Mortemart.