Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-09-13


ceived him. He turned, for caught
the narrowing of his shape. and imme-
c.ately the window was free again,
and now he had surely advanced down
the passage.
1 slipped alongside the captain, and
he looked at me, the wonderment on
his face coming out in the faint light.
We were now close to the top of the
flight. but as yet could not command
the passage, the continued wall cut
ting US off. Of sudden heard soft.
long step, and. the window above dark
ening. looked up and saw Mr. lynn.
"Alfs WELL" he said. in sharp whis-
per full of relief. "The coast is clear
This was such brave news that for
| an instant it fairly brought the cap
tain and me to standstill. Yet only
while one might catch his breath We
made a straddling bound of it to the
top. Mac Ivrach close behind.
I'VE must improve the opportunity,
| went on Mr.. lynn, as soon as we were
fairly beside him. Wonder is the
door; Master Ardick. do you hail the
senorita. and then proceed as speed
y II.
The business wanted no more dis
cussion. and quickly we were all be-
fore the door. A very faint bit of light
came from the open keyhole. but all
within was quiet. To make quite GER
tain that the door was locked. / first
gently tried it, but found. as I ex-
Fected, the bolt shot. STOPPING then
to the keyhole, l spoke the senorita's
name. raising my voice as high as ]
dared
There was little stir. and present
~ the lady's voice. low and shaken. an
swered:
who is there?''
Friends lady. Capt. Sel!inger and
others that you wot of We have come
TO deliver you"
1 heard her give little cry. and she
seemed to have come up close to the
door.
1--WE are about to break i'm I con-
tinued. Yet, stay are you dressed ?''
Yes. senior. All, the saints have
heard my prayers"
''She understands the matter."T said
back to my companions. Hand me
the pry, Mac Ivrach."
The Scotchman had fetched along
this Implement short bar of iron.
with one end tiattened into a splay-
and now passed it over. 1 damned it
In midway up, near the lock. and gave
a heave. The door was of wood, but
heavy and strongly set, and this first
effort only made it strain and crack.
Growing impatient and anxious, /
punched again, and this time threw
my weight against the bar The bolt
Instantly snapped and the door swung
quivering open. The light within
single candle-hardly brought out
the place with distinctness, yet one
glance resolved nearly all. Just with
in the entrance stood the senorita,
pale, and with her yellow hair falling
down her shoulders. At her back
were the details of the room, mainly
little cumbrous furniture and the
scant drapery of the barred windows
AS soon as the poor creature got
the light fairly upon us, and espe-
cially as soon as she made out the cap
tain, she ran forward and fell on her
knees at his feet.
"Oh, senior, may Christ reward you!
had all but given up hope!"
why, 1t is all right, senorita,' Is
said the captain. awkwardly. He for
got that the lady did not understand
his English. He gave her his hand
and she -ose. looking sweetly and
gratefully at the rest of us.
fnr
We Immediately withdrew little and
took counsel together. There seems
to be no new phase to the matter
said Mr.. lynn. 'The senorita's disguise
will still serve
Say the captain and l go first" said
Mr.. lynn. The lady and you, Ardick,
| would do well to come next. and Mae
lvrach can bring up the rear. We
must all take care to stroll along care
lessly."
We fell into TIE understood order
accordingly, and in silence passed out
into the passage. Mac Ivrach fingered
a little. and took the precaution to
| close the door. and we were thus. for
the time, in comparative darkness, the
| stars fetching the place out only in
faint glimmer.
l touched my elbow to the senorita' s
to encourage her, and in this fashion
we slipped softly along, and without
hearing an alarming sound reached the
head of the stairs. Here Mr.. Tym
| halted, but after glance began to
descend. and we, catching the noises
now palmer from below, but still moth
ing menacing, quietly followed. AS
| before, we found this rearward hall
safe and deserted. Mr.. lynn gave a
glance back at MS, as though to see
that all were ready, and with a bold
step passed on and turned in at the
door. Capt. Sellinger fell careless
pace or two behind and followed. i
did not hesitate, but as felt the lady
tremble whispered to her to take
heart. for there was but small danger.
and so saying pressed her arm hard
with mine, and with that we passed in
All was as we had left it. The buc-
cancers were still sitting OF lying
about. save he who nursed his arm mi
walked up and down, and the haze
OF the tobacco smoke continued. We
marched down the hall, 1, as must
CONFESS, IN some perturbation. and
MADE toward the vaulted passage. 1t
seemed an interminable distance but
TO my tremendous relief, no attemnt
was made to stop US. and at last we
passed safely inside. The first part