The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-08-20

he had read in his youth. He would
write it in his own blood.
Gielow did not finch as he thrust tho
knife blade into his wrist. Compared
to the agony Of his whole being, the
slight pricking sensation was nothing.
Then, when the blood had flowed out
and stood in big drop on his left wrist,
he began to write his message with tho
knife blade. 1t was difficult work even
for skillful artist, for his hand shook
as If with ague, and his strength was all
most gone. Here Is what he wrote,
economizing in words, for his space was
limited:
"Innocent. Confined by 9. Bantinni I
Then G Rolling the cuff tightiy and
tying it with the thread, he hurriedly
pushed it into the crack. He was
afraid the couple would rise and walk
on. According to his calculations the
roll lodged just beyond the reach of his
plete his operation.
He tore his handkerchief into shreds
and tying the ends together he made
long string. Then holding pieces of
straw to his hand he tightly wrapped
them with the strings till he had con-
structed rod Of straw about four feet
in length. With this, after many fall
ures, he finally pushed the cuff through
the crevice. He saw it fall from the
rock, strike something and leap into the
sunlit space. For IN instant 1t was
lost to sight, and then he saw it roll
into the roadway about 20 feet from tho
pair on the bench. They happened to
be gazing into each others eyes and did
not see it. Then carriage, the driver
of which wore high hat and blue
coat with brass buttons, whirled past.
The hoofs of the horses knocked the
blood-stained messenger out of Gielow's
sight.
His heart sank within him. Trem-
blingly he took Off his remaining cuff,
but the blood drop had become smeared
and dry on his wrist, and his right
hand shook pitifully.
"1t's no use," he said, with groan.
Again he peered through the crevice.
The sun seemed to be going down. The
lovers had risen, and, arm in arm, were
strolling away. For few moments
Gielow lay motionless on the straw,
then he tried to replace the wedge Of
stone to hide the opening from BAN
tinni, but he was SO weak that it fell
from his neryeless fingers.
All at once it grew dark about him.
he fcltas if he were being tossed on the
bosom of an angry sea.
Twenty-four hours later there was a
hurried step outside. The door opened
and Count Bantinni came in, holding a
lantern over his head. He brought pen,
ink, pad of paper and an envelope.
The darkness outside and the shine of
his lantern prevented his seeing the
crack in the rock.
Putting the lantern down by the ar
fist, lie shook him violently.
"Wake up" he said, gru1fly. IT want
you to write. Write! Write, 1 sayl"
But Gelow did not stir.
The count swore sullenly and lifted
the lantern so that it's rays fell across
the prisoners face. He thrust his fin
6eis Iuto the poSolH Oi IlclOWS SnlrCs
"Brea thing, but that is ALI" he NUT
tered. "Ah!" as his eyes noted the PEN
knife and the bloody wrist, she wanted
to puncturo a vein and getit over, but
was too cowardly. Well, you are going
fast enough, my boy. can do without
your penmanship."
He unlocked the manacles from the
prisoners wrists and ankles, kicked
them aside and left the cell.