The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-01-24

4 Hncn. nut WoniG fncy re nOtIccu Dy Q
casual observer? Then a thought came
70 Sim, which may have been suggested
ID an incident ia some romantic novel
he had read in hts youth. lie would
write it in his ovn blood
Gielow did not finch as he thrust the
knife blade into his wrist Compared
TO the agony of his whole being. the
slight pricking sensation was nothing.
Then, when the blood had flowed out
and stood in big drop on his left wrist,
be began to write his message with the
knife blade. It was difficult work even
for a sSillful artist, for his hard shook
as if with ague, and his strength was al
most gone Here is what he wrote.
economizing in words, for his space was
limited:
Innocent Confined by c. Bantinni
know not where Send help Starving
Take 20 police. ARTHUR GTELOW."
Then, rolling the cuff tightly and
tying it with the thread, he hurriedly
pushed it into the crack. He was
afraid the couple would rise and walk
on. According to his calculations the
roll lodged just beyond the reach OF his
fingers and then he set about 10 com
plete his operation.
He tore his handkerchief into shreds
and tying the ends together he made
a loug string. Then holding pieces of
struw 20 his hand he tightly wrapped
them with tho strings tim he had con
structed a rod of straw about four feet
IN length With this, after many fail
ures, he finally pushed the cuff through
the crevice. He saw it fall from the
rock, strike something and leap into the
sunlit space. For an instant 10 was
lost 70 sight, and then he saw it roll
into the roadway about 20 feet from the
pair on the bench. They happened to
be gazing into each others eyes and did
not see it. Then carriage, the driver
Of which wore high hat and a blue
coat with brass buttons, whirled past.
The hoofs Of the horses knocked the
blood-stained messenger out of Gielow's
Ight.
His heart sank within him. Trem-
blingly he took Off his remaining cuff,
but the blood drop had become smeared
and dry on his wrist, and his right
b"hN ohpoh pltlAullgs
ITS no use" he said with n groau.
Again he peered through the creyice.
The sun seemed to be going down. The
lovers had risen, and, arm in arn, were
strolliug away. For a few moments
Gielow lay motioniess on The straw,
then he tried to replace the wedge OF
stone to hide the opening from Ban.
tinni but he was so weak that 1t fell
from his nelveless fingers.
All at once it grew dark about him
he felt as IL he were being tossed on the
bosom Of an angry sea.
Twenty-four hours later there was
hurried step outside. The door opened
and Count Bantinni came IN. holding
lantern over his head. TIc brought pen,
ink, a pad of paper and an envelope.
The darkness OUTSIDE and the shine OF
his lantern prevented his seeing the
crack in The rock.
Putting the lantern down by the ar
list, he shook Sim violently.
Wake up" he said, grufly. 81 want
you to write. Write! Write. / say!"
But Gielow did not stir
The count swore sullenly and lifted
the lantern so that its rays fell across
the prisoners face. lie thrust his fin.
gers into the bosom OF Gielow's shirt
Breathing, but that is am" he NUT.
tered. "Ah." as his eyes noted the pen.
knife and the bloody wrist. 'he wanted
10 puncture a vein and get +, over. but
was too cowardlS. Wei, you are going
fast enough, my boy. can Go without
your peninanship."
lie unlocked the manacles from tie
prisoners wrists and ankles. kicked
them aside and left the cell
ITO be continued.)