The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-28

TRIED To PICK THE LOCK.
verst. They were still in the wood
and could see no end to it. Shelin wa
worn out. They saw little spring nea,
the road. They stopped there anC
Kostelin got down
He had just knelt to drink wher
there was noise of hoofs again from
behind. They fastened back into thu
bushes Tartar voices could be heard
and the men stopped at the place where
the fugitives had turned from the road
The Tartars set the dogs in pursuit
Shelin heard a dog coming toward.
them. A strange dog appeared bark
ing. Tartars came up. They were
strangers. They seized the fugitives
put them on their horses and carried
them off. They had ridden about three
TerSts when they were met by Abdul
and two Tartars. The men exchanged
words, the prisoners We're put on Alb.
duls horses and carried back to the
,Aoul.
Abdul smiled no more and did not
speak TO them. They got back at day
break and left the prisoners in the
street. The children ran up beating
them with whips and throwing stones
at them. The Tartars gathered around
| in circle and talked together. Shelin
understood they were consulting what
| should be done. Some advised TO send
the prisoners further back into the
mountains, others said: XIII theml'
Abdul said:
II have paid money for them and I
must have my ransom
They separated. The master ap-
preached Shelin and said:
''f l don't get the money for you in
two weeks, shall beat you, and if you
try to run away again, shall kill You
like a dog. Write another letter and
write it well"
; They brought paper and the prisoners
/ wrote the letters. The stocks were
fastened on them again and they were
led behind the mosque. There was a
pit there some ten or twelve feet deep
into which they were lowered
Their life now was very bad. The
stocks were never taken off. and they
were not allowed to come out in the air,
Baked dough for food was thrown them
as to dogs, and water was lowered to
them IN jugs. The stencil of the close
air and the dampness of the pit were
terrible. Kostelin became Ill. He was
swollen and his whole body was full Of
pains. When he was not asleep he was
groaning. Sheiin was sitting down ore
day in the pit dreaming of free life
and feeling very hopeless, when sud-
denly there fell on his knees a cake,
then another, and some ripe nuts came
rolling after. He looked up; there was
Dina She looked at him, laughed. and
ran away. Shelin thought: Perhaps
Dina will help"
He cleaned a little place In the pit,
and dug out some clay and began 10
make little images. He made some
people, dogs and horses. "When Dina
comes l viii throw them to her" he
said. But the next day there was no
Dina. Shelin heard the stamping of
horses. Some one had arrived and the
Tartars had gathered about the mosque.
They were disputinP in loud tones and
talking about the Russians. He did
not fully understand. but he guessed
that the Russians were near, and that
the Tartars feared they might enter
the AOul, and were hesitating what 20
do with tho prisoners. After talking
awhile they went off. Suddenly q noise /
from above. He saw Dina bending 4
over, her little necklace hanging over
the pit, her eyes shining like stars She /
took from her sleeve two cheeses which |
she threw TO him. Shelin caught them |
and said:
Why have vou no. been here for 50 I
ong? / have made you some toys; here
hey are"
He began TO throw them up one By
me. Dina shook her head. and said: /
Don't do it" After little silence:
Ivan, they mean 10 kin YOU" aad
irew her hand across her throat Ike a
lnife.
who wants 70 kill me?-
Father They say he must. and am
.orry for you."
Shelin said: If ron are so-rv for
ne, you VIII bring ne very long
ole"
II cannot, she said, ''they are ali =.
ONE Then she went away. Tha.
light Shelin was sitting thinking:
What wiz hsppen?- and looking Up
i the tine.
Suddenly lump Of clay fell on his
cad He looked up and a long pole
ras sticking in the other side Ct the !
i. Shelin rejoiced- lie czught hold
the pole and pulled j. down. l. was
strong one He rad seen i before On
be roof Of the masters house he
pol.ed Up and the stars were shining
right IN the slzr. ard over the pr
,za's EYES were shining Ike those %
a.. S.le lowered her face 20 the edge
: the III and Whispered
Ivan. Ivan. they have al gone, only
20 a-s a. home Be vsry stIl- ?
Well. Kosteii1.- sad Sheiin. 'Tet /.
: t-y for the last time III hep c
o. up /
BIT Kcstel.a wozI5 -. hear Of L. .