Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-03-04

forward we must, bars or no bars We
could not regain our old prison it we
would.
1t was equally clear that we could
| not go forward if the inmates should
object. On that marrow perch even
Marie was helpless. The bars of the
! window were close together. a woman,
a child, could disengage our hands, and
them turned sick again. 1 thought
of the cruel stones. glued my face to
the bars, and pushing aside a corner of
the curtain, looked in.
There was only one person in the
roOn-a woman, who was moving
about, fully dressed, late as it was. The
room was a mere attic, the counterpart
of that we had left. A box bed with a
canopy roughly nailed over it stood in
one corner. A couple of chairs were by
the hearth, and all seemed to speak of
poverty and baroness. Yet the woman
whom we saw was richly dressed,
though her silks and velvets were dis
ordered. 1 saw a jewel CLEAN in her
hair, and others on her hands. When
she turned her face towards us-a wild,
beautiful face, perpleXed and tear
stained-I knew her instantly for gen
to the door, and laid her hand upon it,
and seemed to listen-when she shook
the lateh and dropped her hands in de-
spair and went back to the hearth, I
made another discovery. L knew at
once, seeing her there. thatwe were like
1y but to change one prison for another.
Was every house in Paris then a dun
geon? And did each roof cover its trag-
edy?
''Madalne!" said, speaking softly, to
attract her attention. "Madame!"
She started violently, not knowing
whence the sound came, and looked
round, at the door first. Then she moved
towards the window, and with an af-
frighted gesture, drew the curtain rap
idly aside.
Our eyes met. What if she screamed
and aroused the house? What, ideed {?
Madame" 1 said again, speaking hur-
riedly, and striving to reassure her by
the softness of my voice, ''we implore
your help! Uuless you assist US we are
lost"
You! Who are you?" she.cried, glar-
ing at us wildly, her hand to her head.
And then she murmured to herself:
'tAfon Dieu! what will become of me?"
eve have been imprisoned in the
house opposite" fastened to explain,
disjointedly, I am afraid 'And we have
escaped. We cannot get back if we
would. Unless you let us enter your
room and give US shelter
eve shall be dashed to pieces on the
pavement" supplied Marie, with per-
feet calmness-nay, with apparent en-
joyment.
Let you in HEREOF she answered,
starting back in a new terror; cit is
IMPOSSIBLE
She reminded me of our cousin, be-
ing, like her, pale and dark-haired. She
wore her hair in coronet, disordered
now. But though she was still beauti-
full, she was older than Kit, and lacked
her plant grace. I saw all this, and
judging her nature, 1 spoke out of my
despair. Madame" I said, piteously,
''we are boys. Croisettei Come up!"
Squeezing myself still more tightly in
to my corner of the ledge, made room
for him between US. "See. madame I
cried, craftily, twill you not have pity
on three boys?'
ST. CroiN's boyish face and fair hair
arrested her attention, as I had eX-
pected. Her expression grew softer,
and she murmured: Poor boy!''
I caught at the opportunity. eve do
but seek passage through your room,"
I said, fervently. Good heavens, what
had we not at stake: What if she
should remain obdurate? I'VE are in
trouble-in despair 1 painted. $50,
1 believe, are you. We will help you
if you will first save US. We are boys,
but we can fight for you
'Whom am 1 to trust?" she ex-
claimed. with a shudder. but heaven
forbid" she continued, her eyes on
CrOisette's face, that, wanting help,
I should refuse to give it. Come in, if
you will
1 poured out my thanks, and had
forced my head between the bars-at
imminent risk of its remaining there
before the words were well out of her
mouth. But to enter was no easy task
after all Croisette did, indeed, squeeze
through at last. and then by force
pulled first one and then the other of
US after him. But only necessity and
that chasm behind could have nerved
us, L think. to go through process so
painful. When 1 stood, at length, on
the floor, L seemed to be one great
abrasion from head to foot. And be-
fore lady, tool