The Elbert County tribune., 1902-07-17

1leve he had passed through some m
pleasant experience with lovely wo-
man-been deceived. perhaps lifted
Although always gallant toward
the fair sex. he seemed 70 be ever on
his guard. as though quite determined
no mortal who wore petticoats should
have a second opportunity to play
battledore and shuttlecock with his
heart.
But this was something entirely out
OF the common run; and as he stood
there listening. TO make sure there
could be no mistake. he felt an cleo
tric thrill pervade HIS whole being.
such as he never before experienced.
Charlie determined to go forward.
He was surprised at himself for the
peculiar resolution that urged him
on. II seemed as though he were
being dragged forward by some mex
orable fate. whether he would or not.
And the sound OF sobbing still con-
tinued. stealing along the gaunt pas
sageways. The darkness beyond was
apparently as fearfully dense as that
which descended upon poor. plague
stricken Egypt at the time Pharaoh
declined to let the children of Israel
go.
As Charlie advanced he noted that
the sound, which had erstwhile reach
ed their hearing but family. grew
more distinct Thus he was present
ly able to place the sobbing. and. still
advancing, he began to discern the
dim outlines OF figure upon he
ground.
As he drew closer he saw that this
was a girl In long cloak. and that
she had hidden her face in her hands.
as though to shut out the ghostly fig
ures conjured up by the gloom.
One thing was very sure-when Ar
temus. in the earlier stages of their
exploration. declared he heard faint
shout. 1t had not been the gurgle OF
the greedy Sheldt gliding under
meath the crypts and corridors. as
he (Charlie) had so confidently de-
clared. but In all probability. this lost
explorer calling for help
Well, thank God they had found
her, and were in a position to rem
der her the assistance she crayed.
After all, 1t had not been such Wild
goose chase as he had believed when
yielding to the opportunities OF his
adventurous comrade.
They advanced closer still.
AS yet the distressed one was not
aware of their presence. or the blessed
answer to her prayers.
Her attitude of abandon was most
effective. and Charlie could not but
think what charming picture she
made there. overwhelmed, not by
grief. but the terror of her situation.
1t was not Intentional on Artemus'
part, but some sudden chill draught
caused him to give vociferous
sneeze.
This was instantly followed by
little shrek as the girls hands fell
from her face. and she turned a pair
of very large and very startled eyes
upon the two comrades.
1t was, of course, Cnarlie's bounden
duty to Immediately speak and reas-
sure the alarmed fraulien that they
were flesh and blood like herself and
not spirits of the olden martyrs who
had met deaths of torture in these
dungeons; but for the life Of him, and
perhaps for the first time in the
course of his whole experience, he
could not say word.
For the soft light OF his waxen
taper fell full upon the face that had
until now been hidden behind the girls
hands--a face that. tear-marked as
1t was, and more or less begrimed
from contact with foul walls during
her cropping in the dark, electrified
him with its peculiar charm OF
beauty. and started his traitor heart
to beating as 1t had not done these
many moons. since he had quilted the
presence of another fair woman. with
bitterness against the whole sex rag
ing in his bosom.
TO be continned.)