The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-06

cheeks Devereux crossed the cave to
| her. He moved slowly. ana with difficulty.
"Why don't you escape2' he said eager
ly. Come, you have saved my life, let
me save yours, for indeed It is no life,
| which you live here. 1t is death; living
death-nay worse than death"
Joan caught her breath, staring back at
| him with startled. distended eyes.
Il will help you he urged.
Il was a strange scene. The rude cave,
| blackened with smoke wreaths, the two
| figures standing motionless there in the
| strong light DeVeTeuX's handsome face,
! pale with agitation. his shirt soaking wet,
! torn and besmrched with blood stains,
| pleading with Joan as he might have
| pleaded with a sister. The girls curious
charm and fasCina ton. which had so dom
! mated even the la wless heart of Steve
| Bathurst. asserted itself again making
| Devereux as a reed in this new pas
sion, which was as fierce as it was unac-
countable.
Men have tumbled into love as rapidly
they have tumbled into hate-and in
deed the girl was very beautiful.
But what should l do in your world?'
, she said sadly. NO it is impossible. /
must remain here, marry. and bring up
| children 10 this same hateful life
Never" he exclaimed. II will save
you I'm spite of yourself"
But your own life is not even assur-
ed yet" she said. with a wistful smile.
1T hangs on a thread. Discovery mere
would mean certain death to you. We
must move warly-'
Does anybody know of this cave be-
sides yOursef2" he asked.
"One other; the man | have promised to
marry"
Devereux frowned, and was silent
Il dare not keep you here very long"
she went on rapidly Before morning
you must have left. II the storm abates
I will procure boat and row you up the
coast as far as Bardet There you would
be safe and could make your way across
country to the nearest town. Have you
any money!"
Devereux examined his pockets
No" he said, half comically Your
friends have taken means to prevent my
becoming a spendthrift." Joan blushed
scarlet with shame Devereux took her
hands suddenly in his own.
Listen to me-" he exclaimed. Il will
not leave this place without you, of that 1
am determined. If escape is possible,
then let us escape together"
There was a pause. Suddenly Joan
started away from him. Placing her fin
ger on her lips, she crept stealthily to the
entrance of the cave. Her practised ears,
ever on the alert, had caught the sound
of footsteps loud, dominant footsteps,
which chased every atom of color from
her cheeks. Then came rustling of the
bushes.
quick" whispered Joan in an agony of
apprehension, motioning Devereux to the
darkest corner of the cave. 1T is Bath
urst"
Devereux couched low He was no cow
ard, but his heart beat unpleasantly fast.
Whatever the strength of a mans cour~
age the consciousness that he is absolute
ly unarmed and at his enemy's mercy
he a abpF cfO
and if Devereux was done to death here
there would be no witness against his
murderer save one frail woman, whose
life hung also in the balance.
Are you there, JOAN" called a strong
voice with a note of command in its
tones.
Yes" answered Joan; what do you
want, Steve?"
You" he laughed, and pushing aside
the bushes, strobe In. Il missed you, and
so I started in search. Truly a wild
night TO hide yourself here, joan"
Il came for something l had left yes
terday," she said TRANQUILITY. What have
you there, Steve?"
Bathurst laughed again. He was dang
ling a long gold chain before her eyes,
Devereux in his corner could see it gilt
ter, as the chain swung slowly too and
fro.
Something for your pretty neck. nv
claimed it in my share. VIII Tressady
fought me for it. but my thews and sin
ews are stronger than his. Come, let me
fasten it round you"
Joan shrank away from him.
"Ah, don't-don't ask me to take it.
Steve" she walled, forgetting in her hor-
ror even her own safety and Devereux s.
1T is the price of blood. | should see the
stains always"
Bathurst flung it down with an oath,
shaking her roughly by the shoulders De-
vereuX caught his breath, for one moment
passion had almost overmastered him.
You dare to speak to me like that?'
foamed the man, half choked with rage.
This is all l get for my love and devotion
| to you. Scorn, gibes abuse. DO you think
l am made of flesh and blood, or stone ?
| BY heavens, but I'll teach you better than
that. I'll be played with no longerr
His powerful frame was quiveriug with
anger. the veins on his forehead stood out
| like whipcord. Joan, TALL ALERT, strong
though she was. seemed but a child in his
| grip.
| Il believe you care even more for the
| body of that dead man, whom | found you
/ hanging over on the beach, scarce two
| hours ago, than you do for me" he went
on, stamping the chain under his foot.
But ! warn you, l warn you, that I'll
| bring you TO your knees yet"
Bathurst banged out of the cave. Joan,
| with her face buried I'm her hands was
sobbing piteously.
| "Ah what have / doue% she walled be-
| meath her breath. Fool that 1 am; when
| should have conciliated him, luled his
! suspicious l have made things doubly diff
| tcult. We are undone"
| DevereuX did his best 20 console her.
| Hope is an important factor in the human
breast II could not be that. after all
| these hairbreadth escapes luck would for
| sake him now.
Joan dashed her tears aside She was
| silent, and seemed to he thinking deeply
"Wait here" she said at last. Il must
go out, and search. There is no time to
lose now"
But he urged filed with chivalrous
fear for her you may be running into
danger. Perhaps they have even guessed
at my escape. At least let me come with
you and take the risk also
That would serve no good purpose, ~
said Joan. putting him back with reso-
Lutte hand. Il must 80 alone Ii Is pos.
sible Bathurst may he outside and II 80
he might do not know"
| 'GtrlF exclaimed DevercuN. speaking
nv fOree Of bef aNau,uia In iot,s frtt,..4.l