Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-10-04
CHAPTER XIX.

With the deathly silence which cnsued
% the heavy echoing steps Of the search.
ers passed away, the men being complete.
" at fault as to why certain drops of
blood should be lying near the couch,
Humphrey descended the steps once more.
"They are gone." he whispered, but
there was no reply; and, feeling softly
about his hand came In contact with
Mary's arm, to find that she lay back In
O corner Of tho vault, with 'kerchief
pressed tightly against her breast.
He hastily bandaged the wound, firmly
binding the handkerchief which she
held there with his own and the broad
scarf he wore, and after placing her In
q more comfortable position, began to
search In the darkness for the food and
water which was there.
The water was soon found-a deep, cool
cistern In the middle Of the door.
Tho food lay close at hand, and with Il
q cup. With this he bore some Of the
cool, refreshing liquid to the wounded
woman. holding some to her lips and
bathing her brow, till she uttered sigh
and returned to consciousness.
Don't leave mew she said, feebly. ut
10 very darkw
but We are SAFE" he whispered. "rhey
are gone"
"Yes." she sighed; II heard them. How
long Is II to day?"
ut cannot be long now" he said. as he
took her hand.
She sighed 40 she felt the unwonted
tenderness and rested her head against
his shoulder.
mo" she said softly. ut cannot be
long now. It will come too toonv
There was 90 much meaning In her
voice that he felt a cold chill. a. IL the
hand OF death passed between to separate
these two 10 strangely brought together.
"Are you In painY he said.
"Pain! No. Happy-so happy" she
whispered. For You do love me?"
"LOve you" he cried.
"And she-at home?"
"rhat was not love-" he said, wildly.
''But now tell me about this placc--shall
we see the day when 1t comesy'
"You will" she said. softly. II shall
perhaps"
perhaps! No, you shallw no wills.
pered. as he pressed his arm gently
around her, forgetting every thing now Of
the past, save that this woman loved
him, and that there was future before
them Of hope and Joy.
"Hold me like that" she whispered,
with sigh of content. ut Is better so.
1t could never have been-only my wild
dream--a wOman's thirst for the love of
one In whom she could believe. A wom-
ans love!'
As the light grew stronger he saw that
his companion seemed to have lost the old
masculine look given by her attire; for
coat and vest had been cast aside, aud
the loose shirt. open ut the neck, had more
the aspect OF a robe. Her dark hair curled
closely about her temples, and rs Hum
phrey Armstrong gazed down at the face,
with its parted lips and long lashes lying
upon the creamy dark cheeks, his heart
thrObbed, for he felt that he had won
the love Of AZ handsome a woman as any
upon whom his eyes had ever lighted.
He forgot the wound, the bandanging
kerchief seeming In the semi-darkness
like some scarf; and as he sat and gazed
he bent down lower and softly touched
the moist forehead with his lips.
Mary woke up with frightened start
and gaxed at him wildly, but as conscious
ness came her look softened and she
nestled to him.
u did not mean to wake you," he said.
She started again and looked at him
wildly. a. Il she fancied she had de-
tsctsd . chilliness In bis manner; but biz