Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-08-29
cspyrish, ,po,. Stree, .na smith. Ns~ York.


| tcfcht himself.
| A companion In misery was along
side, Up to the present Charlie did
not know whether he were youn. or
old-all he saw was that man had
been showed In ahead of him.
So he leaned his head toward that
OF his fellow,pasHcnscr and exclaimed
In French:
Monsieur. Il seems that We are
companions In misery, Might ! ask
your namc?" giving his own at the
same time.
The other did not appear downcast
indeed. he answered. quite cheerful
y:
u am Henri. the Marquis OF Mont
OF Spain"
Further conversation was prevented
by grun demand from one OF the
guards for silence.
Al length they drew up to tho pris-
on.
Without ceremony the two prison.
ers were hustled into the jail.
Charlie silently walked into the
dark cell which yawncd before him.
To have refused would have bscn fol
ly, since by force he would doubtless
have been thrown over the thrcsh'
old.
All! he might be worse on.
His eIgAr case Htiil held few
choice weeds. such AS appeal most
strongly to the heart OF the confirmed
smoker.
SO he fastened TO secure a cigar.
Next came match.
As he struck this latter and n light
spran. into existence he heard an OK
elamatiun. and remembered he had a
comrade in misery.
lie saw n young chap with rcso-
lutte face. There Was more OF an
American look about him than Euro
pcan. and yet Charlie remembered
having heard him give the naiac OF
Giuseppe BriEnoli. as though he were
nm Italian.
Pardon. comradc." Charlie said In
French. "Allow me TO light my weed.
since matches arc scarce and then !
shall offer you cigar" with which
he proceeded to put his words into
execution.
Thanks awfuily. but don't smoke"
said the other laconically In the best
OF English.
The match expired before Charlie
could get another look at his comradc.
Hut he knew his first suspicion was
true-,hc young fellow came OF An.
slo Saxon stock. and had assumed an
Italian name In order 10 keep his own
from disgrace or from some other rca.
son.
They might exchange condolences
while trying to pass away the long
hours, or at least engage In social dis.
course.
Pardon me again. sir. but can you
spare couple OF matehcs3" asked
the othcl.
''Half'adozcn. at your SERVED"
Thanks. They may serve my end
well and yours In the bargain"
Charles curiosity flashed M.
What did the other mean to do-
Was he desperate enough to think OF
setting the prison on fircT Nonsense!
There was NO, one chance In million
OF accomplishing such thing to men
shut up here In this srimy dungeon
Nevertheless. he knew that nothing
was ever accomplished without effort.
and that often a capricious fortune
aids those who help themselves.
A cursory examination OF their dun.
geon revealed a startling. yet cheer
ing. fact.
Under the boards the youngsters
discovered a tunnel
when the Hat stone was lifted up.
behold, an opening yawned below.
The youth gave thanka In his pc
culiar way. and without much more
ado jumped into the breach.
Il shall return. eomrade." he sale.
And Charlie believed him.
He sat there smoking his cigar and
feeding the flames with bits OF the
splintcred plankinE.
Minutes passed,
Evidently his companion was max
Ing quite tour under the prison
flooring.
At last there was a movement. and
head appeared above the stone faE-
giug
Give me hand. please"
Charlie knew from the look OF tri-
umph upon his face that the other
was decidedly pleased with what he
had discovered.
an luck. ch2" he hazarded
The best in the world. Some good
chap IN the past has made tunnel
all but breaking through. / did that
part while was gone In fact. to
tell you the truth. I've been under the
starlight"
Outside the prison walls?" incred-
| ulously.
Yes. When tapped the end Of
the tunnel found II came up in an
| old wagon yard some ten feet or more
beyond the outer walls. But suppose
We might as well 50"
Then good.by. my dear fellow"
"But-you will share my escape. We
don't separate yet. you know
I'm not going"
Not going! You prefer to remain in
this accursed hole. when freedom Of
forsG Come. you arc Joking. sir
"oh. no. You see II crawled out of
here would by implication. admit my
connection with those whom Baron
Peterhor has hauled in. Being limo
cent, shall sit here until he comes
to beg my pardon and personally con.
duct me to freedom"
The younsster looked at him with
kindling eyes.