The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-20
II .

For q few moments, Gagged in my double
prison of box and sack, | hardly realized
what had happened, but when l did SO l
set about the task OF collaboration desper-
ately.
l freed myself from the sack in less than
q minute, and then, peeriDg through the
cracks and knotholes of the box. I could
see that the audience had dispersed in safety :;
but only Just in time for the hall was
already filled with smoke. Everyone had
evidently forgotTed me, 30 l FASTENED to
complete my release.
To do this 1t was necessary to slide out
small pie of wood which concealed nut.
By unscre wing this l could loosen one Of
the boards in the side, and thus make an
aperture large enough to crawl through.
With trembling fingers l slid aside the
slip of wood and felt in my waistcoat pocket
for the wrench always carried with which
to turn this nut.
1t wasn't therel
hammered at the sides with might and
main, but 1t was strongly built, and the
wood was old and well seasoned. might
as we'll have hammered the solid rocks with
my fists.
pressed my knees against one side, and
tried to force the other with my back, but
the box was bound outside with strong bat
tens. and my struggles only served to
weaken me.
l could hear with sickeuing distinctness
the shouts of the crowd, the whistles Of the
engines and the splash Of the water.
What had become Of old Rivers and
Cioelyl
All, yes! Cicsly.
l should be burnt, and when she heard of
my awful end she would be sorry she had
been so unkind to me that morning.
Slowly but surely the smoke increased in
volume and density. My eyes we're smart
ing and was almost choked.
Drops of sweat rolled from my brow, and
in voice that would have made my fort
u2e as an actor, could | command it at will,
! cried, 80, God send some angel of deliv-
erance that | may escape from this tor
ture"
sam Sam, dear boyw
All! that voice, knew too well whose it
was.
"Cicely," said, "go away darling. Save
yourself"
Look here, Sam. I've a screwdriver here.
will loosen one OF the boards, and we shall
both be saved yet"
''Cicely, my darling, think what you are
rlsking. Your escape may be cut Off any
second, and 1t is work Of a minutes to loosen
a board"
She vouchsAfed no reply, but heard her
fit the screwdriver to the first head.
The screw was stubborn. Time after
time cid the driver fly from the head with
out stirring it. but at last her patience was
rewarded. The screw yielded.
Chats number one," she said. keep
up your Spirits Sam"
Just as she spoke the floor Of the BODY or
the hall gave way with a crash, and q
denser cloud of smoke than before filed the
whole place.
1t crept 10 through the cracks Of the box
but slowly, but it smothered poor Cicely az
once. heard her choke and fall back on
the stage. "Cicely, darllngi Speakp I
cried.
for met never dreamt that you To-
that you To-"
tried TO 90 on, but the smoke overcame
me. / sank down insensible at the bottom
of the box.
When l recovered consciousness was in
a comfortable bed, and at first could remem-
Der nothing OF what had happened.
Then all of a sudden the recollection Of
my fearful adventure flashed into my mind.
There was kind-looking nurse by my bed
side. i turned 10 her eagerly.
Nurse. what about Miss RiversYn
"Hush," she replied; you mustn't excite
yourself. Lie quiet and don't worry.n
Weak as ] was l sat straight up in bed.
''Nursem cried. 81 insist on knowing II
she is dead. shall go mad"
'Have no fear. She lives and Ia doing
we'll"
1t was great shock TO US, but we both
recovered, thanks to the brave fremen who
rescued us and to the kind nursing in the
hospital, but she was never quite the same,
poor grill
We were married and have lived here
hAnDilY ever since.