Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-04-06

stone steps outside. n KEY was placed
in the lock. and the door was opeend
an inch wide. And then a voice that
made every nerve in my frame tingie
with delight came whispering: Are
you awake3-ME. Heath, are you
awake?'
| took a step forward without speak
ing. for wonder and n triumphant joy
surging in my heart held me dumb. |
took another step. then rushed 10 the
door and tore ii open. She WAS there.
my beauty, my darling. my queen,
standing So white and ghostly. that |
could almost have thought it'a disem-
bodied spirit that had come 10 visit me.
Irene"
The next instant Mother nature had
her way. We Were locked fast in each
others arms. Oh, the sweetness OF
that embrace, The power of speech. Of
hearing. was gone from me. My senses
Were dulled with excess OF feeling. l
was in ecstasy,
Still without speaking. I softly clesei
the door OF the cell. and drew my love
10 the window. into the giinamer of the
moonlight. For a long time. L believe,
though ii seemed short enough. We
stood there in silence. still elingin- To
each other. still looking fonily into
each Others eyes: and sometimes l
would put up my hand and stroke that
silky hair. or kiss the dear, sweet a
so near my own.
At last she spoke. and her voice
sounded 10 me quite differently from
what il had ever done before, 80 low
aud full and sweet.
al xrr- N...l - $50 - 49,, ;r tha
night time. dearest, for / could not let
you 20 without n word, and-h0w can
! tell You: my father says that Siberia
for life is the best YOU can hope for.
And | believe it was fer me. that you
went into danger. If il had not been
for me you would have been safe in
England now. no shadow on your life,
no perpetual prison TO fear. But tell
me, Raymond, was it through what
you did that my father was able 10
make his escape:"
My silence assured her.
And this is his gratitude, He says
his duty 10 the Car compels him TO
denounce You. q, L am ashamed,
ashamed, 1t is not like my father. He
has often been violent and hard. but
never have | known him to do a thing
like this How could he2 O.. how
could he? Something must have
changed him greatly within the past
twelve months. / am certain he would
not have been guilty Of such ingrati-
tude a year ago. And when you had
come here. too, Of YOU own accord.
with a claim that no one"
She stopped. and leaning ON my
breast, wept bitter tears of shame.
What could | say to comfort her: Ii
was true that the Princes conduct had
been about as bad as a mans could be:
and. knowing what was before me, L
could not find it in my heart 10 forgive
him.
Il try TO forget that he Is your faith
or. my sweetest" l said, softly str0king
her hair. Let us both try to forget it.
and speak of something else. How aid
you n 10 get in hereT'
.Ohi easily though. When / came 10
the foot of the stairs, / saw just what
| had expected 10 see-poor Serge. who
had been put there as a sentry, sound
asleep on the floor. and the keys hang
ing by n thong from mis- finger. | con
trived &c draw the thong off his finger
without awakening him. He did not
even stir at the creaking of the door nj
the foot of the stairs. But. Raymond,
if | could come up without his hearing
me, why should you not go down and
escape from the castle? You can. You
canl There is nothing to prevent it,
There is certainly a chance that
| might get out of the castle, dearest
| said. thinking hard as | spoke: but
/ don't see how | could get away from
+ha nnfnhInrhnn6 ShDirl1 no fnl-
lowed and captured, To a certainty.
Still. it is surely worth trying. l
don't see how an unsuccessful at
tempt TO escape could make matters
any worse-except for Serge, poor fell
low"
Serge must take care of himself
said Irene. Il dare say his friends
could hide him somewhere till my ia
Tiers anger had died away. But sup
pose YOU do escape. how am / TO hear
from YOU again: is this 10 he our last
meeting? | could not bear that. Ray
mond. / could not live without the
hope Of seeing yon again..
My answe was 10 clasp her once
more 10 my breast. Then | stood for
a moment. thinking.
Il Will tell you what we must do" |
said. I'VE must have patience for n
year or more. till the affair is partly
forgotten aud no one imagines that |
viii eyer be heard Of in this country
again. Then l will send a friend. who
viii bring you a letter from me. and,
If you are willing, he viii be your es-
cort TO london"
"Yes. that win be the best way"
said Irene. with a sigh. But il viii
he a long time 10 wait without a word
from you"
So we planned. Ike two children. TO
whom the realities of the world-rank
and wealth and the unwritten laws
that govern society-are as naught.
shall l 20 now / whispered. my
heart beating fast with the hope that
n few minutes might set me free.
"Yes, darling. You had better co."
said Irene. But her dear arms We're
about me. and | WAS more than con-
tent 10 remain n little longer. We
were standing close together, murlnur-
ing broken words of love. when sud
Gcly we started asunder. We had
heard a noise below, Another moment
and the heavy steps of my gaoler were
heard ascending the stairs.
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