The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-11-12

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When his toe caught Ia, q coil of rope on
the platform.
surveying it all without finching. The
younger boy turned to his burly COM
panion: Somehow, we've never been
very good friends. l don't think the
fault was all on my side, because you
wouldn't let me be your friend. And
we have had a good many quarrels
Won't you shake hands with me now
and wish me good luck? If-if''-and
there was just the suspicion of tremor
in the winning voice-''I should never
see you again, should like to feel that
we were friends at the last You're
very good to come up here with me.''
To his dying day Nicholas never for
got the slight, almost girlish figure,
standing there. with the wistful little
smile and the pleading tenderness shin
ing in the blue eyes. He touched the
slender outstretched hand with his own,
but dropped it suddenly, as if he had
received an electric shock. He tried to
say, GOOD luck. - but his tongue seem.
ed glued to the roof of his mouth.
"Look you, Franz" he murmured
hoarsely, "when you are safe outside,
I'll hand out the flag. Til wait till you
reach the opposite side of the spire and
call out Ais well, and then I'll 20
down and leave you to make your way
back. And glad shall be to leave this
miserable trap in midair. -
Franz's face was deathly pale, but his
eyes shone like two stars He climbed
up nimbly through the opening, let
himself carefully down to the stone
ledge outside and reached up for the
flag A few moments passed, which
seemed like ages to the waiting Mich
olas. Then acheery "All rs well!" rang
out without a CULVER i'll the steady voice.
The older boys face grew black with
rage. What nerve the pale, sickly lit
tie thing hasl'' he muttered between
his set teeth. II believe he'll do it after
ALL And SO this baby gets not only the
prizes at the goldsmith's, but the mon.
ey and the glory of this thing. to say
nothing Of his taking my place in the
cathedral -
He raised his hand to the window
and stood in front of it for q moment.
Then he began the descent as if some
demon were after him. The frail lad
ders vibrated and swayed with the dam
gerous strain, but down he went, with
reckless haste. until he reached the
second platform, when he raised his
hands with an agoniZed gesture to his
ears as if he was trying to shut out the
voice OF conscience that kept calling
to him: Pack, back. before it is too
latel Stain not thy young soul with
such crimel''
Still he hurried down with flying
step to the landing near the great bell,
where be paused and stood leaning
breathless against one of the crossbeams
Of the tower. Into the fierce, turbulent
passions of the front led face stole a
softened expression, lighting up the
swarthy lineaments like CLEAN of sun
shine. II will go back and undo the
horrid deedl'' he cried, as if in answer
to the good angel pleading within his
breast . am coming. Franzl God for
give mei''
He had turned to make the ascent,
and his hand was stretched out to grasp
the side of the ladder when his toe
caught in a coil of rope on the plat
form, and, missing his hold, he plung-
cd doI.En into the space beneath.
ln the meantime Frs1iz had made -
way safely around the lie and stood
quietly, with the eri Of he flagstaff on
the ledge beneath, waiting for the sig.
nal. 1t came in few moments-the
thunder Of the great gun on the platz,
and bracing his feet firmly he unfurl-
ed the flag and slowly waved it back
and forth. From the answering roar If
artillery and the cheer upon cheer that
doated up through the air he knew that
his salute had been seen.
With light heart he began to retrace
hiss steps, edging himself cautiously.
inch by inch, to the window. To hi
surprise the sliding panel was closed
With one hand he grasped the iron ring
fastened to the wall beneath the win
dow and with the other pushed, first
firmly and then with all his might, butt
the panel remained fast. He tried toi
batter it with the flagstaff, but soon
found that in his cramped position it
only increased his danger. Again and
again he endeavored to force it oper.
breaking his nails and bruising his fin
ger tips in his frenzy, but to no pur-,
pose. Suddenly the conviction dawned
upon him that the window was bolted
fran tie inside. With despa1rlng sob
he tottered backward, bat his grasp on
fine ring held, ard with o supreme effort
he pulled himself up close to the wall
and tried to collect his scattered wits.
..It is 10 use Is e,1tiut ,, he said q lo.,6