The morning call., 1893-09-04

dramatic scene in Tong Church, we must
go back three days. Philip Dantin had
striven to keep his rage against his
brother within due bounds, but had failed.
On this third evening before the day
that was to make him happy fellow,
Jack Dantin found his way into his
brothers den to have a chat wi; h him. For
time Philip bore with his high spirits un-
complainiugly. though Jacks praises Of
Eva were like so many thorns In his side.
Eventually. however. his patience gave
way. He uttered an exclamation which
made his brother start in surprise.
why, old fellow, what is the matter !?
You surely don't" He stopped. There
was that in Philips face which told him
much.
"Yes; you have guessed it," said Philip
with shrug of the shoulder 1T is rather
hard; but the less said about it the better
Twenty years hence is will not matter a
straw"
Then it was that. like a lightning flash.
the dreadful suggestion rushed int o
Philips mind. "Oh, by the way" he said
casually, Il wish you would oblige me by
giving hand to this skinned thing. l
want il ont of my road for time"
Certainly, Phil. Where shall we cart
it?" was the reply as Jack surveyed the
grewsome body of flayed alligator, upon
which the elder Dantin had been operat-
ing
Inc old subterranean passage IS just
the place forit. I'll find the key ?"
The key was found. the heavy stone door
leading underground was swung open.
they carried their burden into the corridor,
and then Philip. who was nearest the
room, slipped back, banged the door and
locked IL, and had sped upstairs and into
the park in a remarkably short space of
time.
Jack, when he realized what had be-
fallen him, gave himself up for lost.
AS the hours sped by ne saw clearly that
he was destined to die and that Philip
meant to profit by his death. Like most
habitual smokers. he carried matches
with him. For time be was lavish with
them; then he huSban ded them. The
hours passed. His watch told him that
it was night. He wound it up. sic t. re-
awakened and struck more matches.
in the meantime he had thought of
many things. But in one thing only did
he take any interest. The passion of
self-preseryation was strong in him, for
his own sake and for Eva's. He resolved
to try the passages 10 see if happy he
might prove the truth of the old legend
which made them a sort of arterial con-
nectOn between the church and the Great
House. The first day was spent in these
grim groupings. which seemed like TO be
only too futile. Their only result was to
make him lose himself in the sitting
maze.
This second night was sorrowfu one,
indeed. There were times when the poor
fellow felt he should lose his senses. At
last, however. he slept, and when he
awoke be struck one more match, and
then, as providence wllled it, espled on the
ground morsel of colored glass. as if 1t
had fallen at some time from a window.
The sight instantly made him forget his
maddening hunger ana despair, and he set
to work upon the carrier that was before
him.
All day he worked The wall dimin-
lshed in thickness. A sudden breath OF air
IN his face told him he had made a clean
breach sCmew here, though he could not
feel WHARF,. He worked on through the
night. His wedding day dawned above.
and he was still boring in this noiseless
hole Tor dear life and his bride.
Gradually the current of air increased in
volume, and at length he had made a pass
age through WHICH ne could worm his way.
Though ready to faint from fatigue and
exhaustion. he went on in this new pass
age, groplng like mole. 1t seemed to
him that he bad lived all his days in dark
ness. Ten o'clocki half-past 10i a quarter
to IL AT quarter to IL he was suddenly
dazzled by faint streak of blessed day
light. 1t was far in front of him, or
seemed so. He ran toward it on hands
and knees. touched a wooden door with his
fingers, uttered cry of Joy, pushed the
door, which yielded, and saw before him
a thick red curtain, which be recognized
in moment as belonging to the vestry OF
Tong Church.
y
Three minutes 10 IL and still no bride
groom! A second later, however, Jack
Dantin staggered from the vestrv door into
the church, and saw and was seen by the
wedding party-a sorry spectacle of mud
and mire, bruised and bleeding and with
his clothes torn in all directions.
II am not too late after ALL" he cried.
and then down he fell by the altar ran
ings.
Some one also fell almost at the same
instant. Philip Dantin went pale as a
corpse when he saw bis brother. He made
a step toward Eva, whispered Forgive" In
a hoaTse voice and reeled upon the pave
ment.
Philip Dantin's mind was unhinged by
his crime and its consequences. He lived
for several weeks and then died
Eva Darling was bride ip good earnest
three days after her bridegroom's startling
into the church. = Chambers