The Washington times., 1902-09-21

doubt II he ever knew that hand gave
him water. His eyes were meaningless
Iand he was so gaunt that his body
scarcely made a ridge on the bed.
Some beans and mouldy bread were
put in for my rations. The turnkey
asked me how intended to wash my
self without basin or ever or towels
and inquired further If he could be Of
service in disposing OF my shirt OF
breeches.
What ails this MANI"
He shrugged, and said the prisoner
had been wasting with fever.
you get fever in St. Pelagie," he
added, especially when you eat the
prison food. This man ought to be sent
to the inflrmary, but the infirmary is
overflowing now"
"Who is he?'
"a journalist, or poet, or some miser.
able canaille of that sort. He will soou
be out of your way" Our guard craned
over to look at him. "Oui-da! He is q
dying man! A priest must be sent to
him soon remember he demanded one
several days ago"
But that day and another dragged
through before the priest appeared.
sent out my waistcoat and got wretch-
ed meal. and few spoonfuls of wine
that / used to moisten the dying mans
lips. His life may or may not have been
prolonged; but out of collapse he open
ed his mouth repeatedly and took the
drops. He was more my blessing tina.
was his.
For I had an experience which has
ever since given me to know the souls
OF prisoners.
The first day. in spite of the cells
,foulness, laughed secretly at iailers
and felt at peace, holding the world at
bay. l did not then know that st Pc
lagie was the tomb of the accused,
where more than one prisoner
dragged out years withou learn
ing why he was put there. was not
brought to any trial or examination.
But gradually an uneasiness which
cannot be imagined by one who has not
felt it. grew upon me. l wanted light.
The absence of 1t was torture, Light
to vivify the sitting air. which died as
this man was dying-as should die-in
binding mirk!
Moisture broke out all over my body,
and cold dew stood on my forehead
How could human lungs breathe the
midnight of blackening walls? The
place was hot with the hell OF connne-
ment. / said over and over-"O God,
Thou are Light!-in Thee Is no dark
ness at ALI"
This anguish seemed a repetition Of
something l had endured once before.
The body and spirit remembered, though
the mind had no register. l clawed
at the walls. II slept, 1t was to wake
gasping. fighting upward with both
hands.
The most singular phase was that
reproached myself for not soaking up
more sun in the past. Oh, how much
light was going to waste over wide
fields and sparkling seas! The green
woods, the green grass-they had their
fill of sun, while we two perished!
l remembered creeping out of glare
under the shadow Of rocks, and wondered
how l could have done It! II I ever
came to the sun again I would stretch
myself and roll from side to side, to
let 1t burn me well! How blessed was
the tan we got in summer from sleeping
in light!
Looking at my cell-mate I could have
rent the walls.
I'VE are robbed" told his deaf ears.
1.-THE light, poured freely all over the
city, the light that belongs to you and
me as much as to anybody, would save
you! l wish l could pick you up and
carry you out where the sun would shine
through your bones! But let us be
glad, you and l, that there Is a woman
who is not buried like a whitening
sprout under this weight of stone, She
is free, to walk around and take the
light in her gray eyes and the wind in
her brown hair. swear to God II I
ever come out OF this l will never pass
so much as a little plant PROSTATE in
darkness. without helping it to the
light"
1t was night by the loophole when our
turnkey threw the door open. ! heard
the priest and his sAcristan joking In
the corridor before they entered carry
ing their sacred parcels. The priest
was doddering old fellow. almost deaf.
for the turnkey shouted at his ear, and
dim of sight. for he stopped close to look
at the dying man, who was beyond con-
fession.
Bring us something for temporary
altar" he commanded the turnkey.
who stood candle in hand.
The turnkey gave his light to the sa
cristan. and taking care to lock us in,
hurried to obey.
| measured the lank, ill-strung as
sistant. more an overgrown boy than a
man of Drawn. but expanded around
his upper part by the fullness of a