Morris tribune., 1895-03-06
Miss L.-Are you a prisoner?

Miss L.-Are you happy?
| Lieutenant-No. How could be?
Miss L.-What can be done?
MISUNDERSTANDING but wait.
Miss L.--Suppose come down.
| Lieutenant-Can you?
Miss L.-Yes. think shall prefer
| it. Mrs. Hendricks is coming.
| Lieutenant-Has anything happened
since on the grounds?
| Miss L.-No. Everything is quiet
But it is lonesome and Mrs. Hendricks
is going away.
Licutcnant-Do you know where she
is going?
| Miss L.-No.
Lieutenant-Why do you not seize
the opportunity and go with her?
Miss LII must stay here a little
longer. cannot tell you why.
Two days after this conversation
Miss Laport and Mrs. hendricks were
down in the Laran, and with Miss En-
dicott and the negro servant this made
four women now in the underground
community.
The hurly-burly of preparation and
excitement of camp life extended at
this time from tho rotunda for at least
two miles and filled all the echoing
spaces far beyond the lake. little
community was living in comparative
peace in the Portal arena. The fragile
cottages that encircled the space looked
like Dore picture under the central
light, and dried branches that profuSe-
ly ornamented column in the center
space fretted the ground with sharply
outlined shadows. 1t was eternal
night here, but man had robbed it of
most of it's noxious terrors and woman
had left the traces of her presence
round the doorways of some of the
habitations. In front of one cottage
there was q stand of strange plants,
curious crytogenous growths that had
been gathered in the recesses of the
place; and arranged in symmetrical
order were crystals of carbonate of
lime, symmetrical and translucent
stalactites and fossils dug from the
walls of the distant passages.
It was Stockings amusement to
gather these curiosities in his moody
rambles, and it was Miss Laport's mel
ancholy delight to arrange them where
the electric light played fantastic
tricks with them at all hours. Under
the awning which on one side of the
little house offered protection from
the light, sat Miss Laport and Lieut..
Stocking. At short distance on the
same side were two other and similar
abodes, one Of which was given over to
the lieutenant and Calicot; the other,
connecting with Miss Laport's by
latticed alleyway, was in possession of
the doctor, Miss Endicott having a
room in Miss Laport's establishment
''Now that you have told me about
your father, Miss Franklin said Lieut..
Stocking, land there is nothing to pre-
vent you both from leaving this place,
why do you not urge him togo at once?
Mr.. Calicot asked ms to speak to you
seriously about it and impress you with
the urgency of it,"
''Why should he be anxious about it?''
asked the girl.
HE has made up his mind about the
result of the conflict and he fears if
you delay much longer you will not be
able to get away at all"
''And you?" said the girl with real
solicitude.
''I'm in Calicot's hands. I suppose
we shall be liberated at some time. He
seems to think So"
you appear to admire and trust him
very much"
Eyes. wish could get you to trust
him. He says you ought to go away at
once. Shall / tell you what he said |
to me?"
Eyes. Do" we
at was this: Stocking he said, you
can get Hendricks permission to take
that old man and his daughter out, if |
you will give your word of honor not
to betray his retreat and to return.
You could then put them in boat and
help them to cross the Mississippi
Why asked, arc J Uu so anxious
to get them out?
"I want to save Them he said.
=" But you do not care to save me- /
objected.
eyes he said, If you follow my
plan it will save you
. Then am not to return?'
"'Yes.you are. You must come back.
But it will take you two days
"' To come back here is not to be
saved I said. You will have to ex-
plain yourself"
EYES," said the girl, with interest.
Did he explain?"
''No. He merely said: 4 wish you
would take my advice
"'You are frank with me- I ex-
claimed
IF you will do as bid you,' he re-
Piled, everything will explain itself
Ind we shall all be released %
'"Then why not do it?" asked Miss
Laport.
Because have to pledge myself to
give up liberty and you, and come
back to this tomb to be buried alive.
Do you think that an easy matter?"
And yet you say you trust your
friend. Now would obey him inn
olicitly and trust him if knew him as
we'll as you do" 4a
"Yes," said the lieutenant. sit is
of a woman. But l am
/ mana helpless one.'