Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-05-07

rather than saw two figures meet In
the darkness.
rs that you, Nally?" demanded the
voice of the first. which Malcolm &C.
ognized as that of the governor.
Yes, SIR replied a husky. smoke
smothered voice.
Take this key, then. and release the
condemned prisoner. slip these hand
cuffs upon her and hurry her forward
TO the west wing strong room. Don't
let her escape in this confusion. /
must go and look after the poor
wretches above" said the governor in
an agitated voice. as he hurried away
to the other end of the lobby.
Malcolm CROPPED along, keeping as
near as he could to the figure thct he
still felt rather than saw moving be-
fore him. Screams OF "Fire!' and
"Helpp' still came from the condemned
cell, which now, like the lobby, was as
dark rs pitch. Malcolm came up with
the other just at the cell door. He
held his breath with suspense, but the
invisible figure beside him breather
quickly and iercely as they stood there
together.
A panic of establishment transixed
Malcolm as he felt that hot breath
upon his cheek. An instant and the
cell door was unlocked and thrown
opened, and Mrs. Barton, distracted
with fright, rushed out past them TO
make good her escape from the burn
ing building. Another instant and the
mysterious figure, who had plunged
into the darkness OF the cell, issued
forth, and dropped a light, soft burden
upon Malcolm's breast whispering
fiercely:
"She is saved! Fly for your life and
hers; look not behind you'll"
Oh, heaven! it was Annella's voice!
And she had kept her word!
But he felt that there was not an in
slant TO lose. Pressing the light form
Of the girl close In his arm, he ran
along through the darkness and the
~suffocating smoke, through the lobby,
and down stairs, and out into the free
air.
The smoke, the darkness, the crowd,
and the panic be friended him. He
passed the bounds of the prison unob-
served, and hurried on toward the
thicket where his horse was tied. AS
he pressed through the dark crowd
without he heard many remarks.
"The fire broke out in the prison
wardrobe room, where they keep the
clothing" said one.
"No n knows how ii broke out
said another.
'They have saved all the prisoners,
poor wretchesr' exclaimed a woman.
They'll o bring the fire under,
too" observed a man.
No one noticed Malcolm hurrying
along with his beloved burden enyel-
oped in a dark shawl. All eyes were
fixed on the ignited building, upon the
walls of which the fire engines, which
had now arrived, were playing freely.
Malcolm reached the thicket in
safety. He sat down for a moment 10
rest Eudora and uncovered her face
To give her air. He thought that II
had swooned, but this was not So. She
was pale and weak and timber, but
breathing and conscious. She was he
first to speak. Raising her eyes to his,
she asked:
what is all this? What has occur
red?"
You are saved, dearest Eudoram
"How?"
81 scarcely know myself. Ask no
questions yet, dear one, but rally all
your strength to fly with me-"
He placed her gently on a bank,
where she could rest against the trunk
of a tree. He led his horse to the
spot, stopped and raised her to the
seat before him, and rode slowly and
carefully until he was out Of the wood.
Then putting spurs to his horse he
galloped swiftly toward the seacoast.
AS his horse rushed inward Malcolm
turned to look at the fire, n was
gratiied to see that the flames were
certainly in process OF extinction.
With a lighter heart he galloped along
the beach until at length he reached
the cove, where his hired vessel lay at
anchor.
Day was now dawning, and by it's
faint light they discerned the little
boat upon the sands, and the vessel
standing off a short distance from the
shore.
Malcolm, leaving the horse to his
fate, placed Eudora in the boat, push
ed it off, took up a pair Of oars and
rowed rapidly to the vessel.
The captain was on deck, ready to
receive his passengers, whom he had
been led TO believe were only a pair Of
'"true lovers running away to be mar
ried.
poor young lady, but she's dread
fully faint" he said as he received Eu-
dora from Malcolm's arms and bore
her into the cabin, where he laid her
gently upon the berths.
"She is; but rest and safety will re-
store her. When cal you sail?"
This instant. The tide has turned"
"Up anchori' shouted the captain,
hurrying upon deck.
The anchor was raised, the canvas
was unfurled to the breeze and the lit
tie vessel sailed away upon the blue
sea.
CHAPTER XXI.