The Cairo bulletin., 1904-12-03

light the shadows. When fell asleep
after much worry, it was to dream oi
my three countrymen who had fallen
to their faces there by the corn.
awoke TO find the guard in our cell
and D'ri and he whispering together,
He had come with our breakfast
"Al | want" D'ri was saying, is a
piece of iron, with sharp end hall
cs long es yer arm
He made no answer, that big sullen
bulldog man who brought our food to
MS When he had gone, D'ri lay over
and began laughing under his BREATH
His thinker S goin' LUX sawmill.
he whispered. Would Mt wonder ef
/ ii KEEP i'm awake nights. He was ask
in bout thet air few thousand dol
/ lars. Ef they II let us alone fer three
! days, we Il be out o. here. Now, you
mark my word"
4 Howe | inquired.
Jest leetle job o slidin' downhili /"
he said. There's big drain-pipe goes
nnder this colt the river. prob'ly.
/ He says 1t s bigger n barrel"
I We saved our candle that day and
walked up and down. from wall 10
wall, for exercise. Our hopes were high
when we heard footsteps. but they fell
suddenly. for as we listened we could
hear the tramp of squad of men, They
! came to our cell, and took us upstairs
hlind-folded as before. to a bathroom
where the uniforms discarded the day
OF onr capture, were waiting for us,
newly pressed Our bath over. they di.
recied us TO put them on. They gave
us new hats, for our own had been lost
the night of the wreck, covered our
eyes, and led us through many doors
and alleys into the open air Ii was
dark, | knew, for as we entered a car
riage | could dimly see the glow of
lantern hanging over the wheel Thu
carriage Went away swiftly on a level
road. We sat knee to knee, with two
men facing us. and not word was
spoken. We could hear hoofs falling,
the rattle of biz and rein. the creak
OF saddle-leather on each side of us
We must have gone a long journey
when the carriage halted. They pulled
rs ont roughly aud let us up three
steps and across deep veranda. A
bell rang, door swung open, Hood OF
light fell on us, fltering to our eyes
Entering, we could feel carpet I'M
der us, and took dozen PAGES or more
before they babe us halt We heard
In 1A.r
soft tread of our feet. There was a
dead silence when they removed our
letters and unbound our eyes, We were
standing in big and sumptuous draw
ing-room. A company of gentlemen
sat near lis in arm-chairs; there
were al least a score of them.
Round tables of old mahogany
stood near, on which were glasses
and packs of cards and wine bottles.
The young man who sat with the |
general and answered 10 your Lord
ship was approaching me, hand ex.
tended.
Glad to see you: sit down" he said |
in the same quiet, languid, forceful !
tone had heard before.
1t was all very odd. The guards |
were gone: we were apparently as
free as any of them.
Il shall try to make you comforta-
BILE, he said. A servant began filing
a row of glasses. I'VE have here wine
and wit aud all the accessories, includ-
ing women. | should introduce you,
but have not the honor of your ac-
puaintance. Let ii suffice to say these
are my friends" The turned to those
who sat about, "and gentlemen, these
are my enemies he added, turning TO
Is. Let us hope they may die happy
And with fighting chance,
added, lifting the glass without tast-
ng It.
D'ri sat, his brows lifted his hands
u his pockets. his legs crossed. He
ooled curiously from one to another.
Horton" said his lordship, as he
at down, leaning lazily ON the arm of
lis chair will You have them bring
Town the prisoners?'
The servant left the room. Some of
he men were talking together in low
ones, they were mostly cookbook
ne and well dressed.
Gentlemen" said his lordship, ris-
ng suddenly, I'm going to turn you
ut OF here for a moment--they're shy
OF Won't you go into the library?"
They all arose and went out of
DOR save one, bald man OF middle
ge. half tipsy. who begged OF his
Ludship' the privilege of remaining.
"SiF Charles" said the young man,
till lounging in his chair as he spoke.
n that cold calm tone of his. you ;
nnoy ME. Go at once!" and be went.
They covered our faces with nap
ins OF white linen. Then we heard
eavy steps, the clink of scabbards on
stairway. the feet of ladies, and the
wish OF their gowns With a quick
loyement our faces were uncovered
rose to my feet. for there before me
TODD Louison and the Baroness de
ERE. between TWO guards. and. be-
ehind them, Louise. her eyes
oyered. her beautiful head bent
wv. could see that she was
rying The truth came to me
! a flash of thought They had been
AIKEN after we left; they were prison.