Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-10-21

CHAPTER XVIII.-iContinued.l

party EAO ldu 6Oue Ou
But shey had not heard the noise Of the
| struggle, the maze-like turnings of the
path had shut it out, and their voices
now came mufled and soft, as if from a
| distance.
Then Humphrey felt his hand gripped
| firmly.
This way
What! Are you going TO take me
back t. prison;" said Humphrey, mock
Ingiy.
did you wish to go straight to DEATH"
I, Il am going straight TO hberty! cried
I Humphrey.
This way, then" whispered his COM
par IN: and without a word Humphrey
allowed himself to be LED back along the
dark arcade, listening to the heavy pant
| Ing of his guide, who seemed to be breath
| ing heavily, as if in pain.
| For some time no word was spoken.
Then, as he became aware of his COM
panion's purpose, Humphrey stopped
short.
''You are leading me back to that
cursed prison" he said, fercely. Loose
my hand"
Il am leading you TO the only place
where you will be safe" was whispered
odCA. nave uOt SuAtiSd cAOuSA,
man? Do you think I wish to die with
and rend your
"Rend me-"
Eyes. They have risen. That wretch,
whom | have spared so long in my weak
folly, is at their head. Humphrey Arm
strong. believe me, | am trying to have
your lifep'
~ A
| boat! Give me boat and let me go!'
Half the men who were faithful to
me are dead, treacherously burned to
| death in their quarters. | cannot ex-
plain; but the doorway was blocked by
those iends. The landing place is guard
ed by portion of his blood-thirsty gang.
| To go to the shore is to seek your death.
| Will you not trust me nowT'
1T is to keep me here!" he cried fierce
ly.
ITO keep you here when would gladly
| say go! Trust me. Give me time to
think. | was coming to save you when
we met VIII you not believe"
Yes" cried Humphrey, hoarsely. Il
| will trust you!"
"Ham
That was all. His hand was gripped
more tightly: and, as he yielded it to his
companion, he felt himself led with un-
erring decision in and out among the
, moldering ruins of the edge of the clear
| ing to the side of the old amphitheater,
a faint metallic clink from time to time
| indicating that sword was being struck
upon the stones to make sure of the way.
You are going back there" said
Humphrey.
YES" came back. hoarsely. "Do not
speak We may be heard"
| Humphrey was conscious that his guide
had led him to the altar and sunk upon
| it with moan; but she still tightly chung
to his hand.
There they remained in silence as if
listening for pursuit; and the deep hoarse
| breathing Of both sounded painfully loud
in the utter darkness.
Humphrey essayed to speak again and
again, but he felt that he could not trust
himself to utter words.
1t was his companion who broke the
painful silence as she still chung to his
hand.
Il ought to have acted sooner she
said. bitterly. Il might have known it.
but in my cruel selfshness 1 could not let
you go. Do not blame me-do not re-
proach me. 1t was my madness; and
now the punishment has come"
II do not understand you," he said,
huskily.
You do" she said, gently. "But it is
no time to think of this. Listen. These
men viii search every spot to find and
slay me-and you; but you shall escape.
Now listen: Below this old place there
| is a rock chamber, known only to me and
Bart-who lies wounded yonder and help
less: but he will not betray the secret,
even il he thinks that you are there. You
will 20 to the end of your couch, press
heavily with your shoulder against the
corner, forcing it in this direction, and
then the great stone will move upon a
pivot. There is way down
you need not tell me-" said Hum
phrey at this point. u know"
THANK Heaven she calculated
keep in hiding there till the wretcaes
are off their guard; and then cautio, sly
make your way by night down to the
landing place, and by some means seize
a boat. There will be no guard kept
when | am gone"
"And my people-my poor feilows?'
Gone she said, quietly. They seized
boat and escaped long ago. All has
been confusion here since-sinee l have
beed mad" she added, piteously.
Escaped
"Yes; and you viii escape. And in the
future. when you are away-and happy
don't curse me-think of me as a poor
women, driven by fate-to what | am
but who saw and loved you. Humphrey
Armstrong, as woman has seldom loved
before"
ION. hushr' he said. huskily. "For
Heavens sake don't speak like thae!'
NO" she said. gently. Il will not
speak 1t is nearly over now. You viii
forgive me-"
Forgive you-yes"
She uttered a low sigh. full of thank
fulness. as she still chung to his hand.
1T Is enough" she said. Now. so.
You know the way BE cautious. be pa
tent and hide your time: and then Heav-
en- speed you safely homel He has for
given me-" she sighed to herself. and the
pressure upon his hand seemed to in
crease.
Wei" she said. after a few moments
pause. why do you stayg
Her voice startled him in its intensity.
for il seemed to echo through the place:
and his hand bad. as it had been for many
minutes past. grasped hers with crushing
force as the tide rose 10 its fullest height
and bore him on.
And yOug" he said. What viii yOu
doT'
~ she said. with faint lsush. 81
shall wait here until they come"
Wait heref" cried Humphrey. "rhey
viii kill YOU
YES" she said softly.
Then why rot share my fight. Come
with me now while there il time. l viii |
protect you and take yen where you Will |
l cannot leave you like this"
Not leave me- she said. with a sob. /
No. De You think me spch cur that !
I could leave you 20 the mercy Of these |
wretehessr
1T IS TOO late" she said. Coz
Cor
YES, while there i tone
But y0u can hide IS wen IS II he /