The Washington times., 1904-11-20
CHAPTER XIII.
A Struggle on the Brink of Eternity

CHAPTER XIII.
A Struggle on the Brink of Eternity.
a very strange thing had happened TO
Dorothy Stanslaus. Unconscious OF the
peril she was in from the dervishes.
who Were trying to kin her with their
rifles. she was struggling 10 gain the
summit of the cliff, when suddenly out
of what appeared to be a rectangular
hole in the solid rock. up whose side she
was climbing. there was thrust a hand
a human hand. old and withered.
The girl felt herself dragged into a
cave, where she sank down before a
score OF graybeard monks. each in his
dark cowl, their eyes cleaning with
wonder
It was long time before Prince Bar
don could summon up the courage to
drag himself 10 the verge OF the preci-
pice and peer into the depths TO ascer-
tain the fate OF his beloved comrade.
When he saw the abrupt eI ding of the
wire he came 10 the conclusion that
Dorothy had fallen and been dashed to
pieces, or else that she had been seized
by the enemy and borne away. And yet
the latter Idea seemed quite impossible.
The dahabeahs could never have paused
in their mad race and picked up their
prize, Whittier, then. had poor Dorothy
disappeared?
Suddenly. 10 his astonishment. there
came a tug at the wire. and. looking
down. Bardoff was amazed 10 see a tiny
1uttering bit Of muslin tied 10 the end.
The prince breathlessly drew the strange
message up, and. seizing it. read:
Monks cave midway down. Come.
quick,"
For n few moments this strange and
unexpected rescue seemed beyond be-
lief. Then, letting down a coil OF wire
which he had cut from the telegraph
poles along the high bank. the brave
man made the perilous descent until he
found himself dangling before series
OF windows cut in the solid crag-port-
holes to the cave temples OF the hermit
monks OF the Nile.
Come in here. quick" A white hand
shot out 10 his rescue.
What a Godseno-what a miraclei"
was all the prince could gasp as he crept
into the great temple and confronted
there a store OF white-haired fathers.
sta1ding in spectral silence. perfectly
motiOnless and dumbfounded.
For a moment the newcomer could
not speak. Then seeing a face which
/ looked as II II might be that OF one
OF HIS own cOuntrymen, he spoke in
clear. slow Russian: Holy father
Gods blessing upon youi"
With the sound Of their native Ian
guage, half the monks rushed forward
| The patriarchal father advanced and
offered his hand, which the prince
1 kneeling reverently kissed.
My son" were the first words OF the
grave friar. thou art welcome. But"
/ He turned toward Dorothy-"thou know
/ est the rules OF our order. II is unlaw-
| ful that any woman shall set foot In
/ this sacred temple. Thou must take
/ her away. instantly"
/ For the moment the prince was be-
wildered. Dorothy did not understand
a word. but she OWNED her position.
Holy father" saiG BardOff. know
/ that / am "a prince Of the blood, by
right Of birth a dignitary Of the holy
Russian Church. which has sent thee
here Ia fulfil the vows OF chastity and
/ lifelong penance. Know also, though
/ this tHir being is a woman in heart
and soul. strength and courage. she
eXcels any man ] ever knew. and is
worthy Of thy hospitality. l was en-
abled by the grace Of God to rescue her
| from tn Moslcm hsrdes through STRAIT
dgem ar We have fought our way
| through Ecc and flood. through starva-
tiOn and peril. until suddenly in our
/ least extremity We happen upon thy
[ good grace ana hospitality. If the God
Z who bids thee 10 the desert hath also
I led His helpless ones to seek shelter
| beneath Thy wing holy father deny us
/ not: but in His name perform thy duty
| as becomes a patriarch Of the churcn.
ana heaven shall reward thee nightly.
/ Duty and pity struggled in the old
J monks heart. After "a moments medi-
! tation, he drew his brothers aside, and
J 50 solemn converse IN whispers decided
/ the fate If the visitors.
/ Prince" said the graybeard. return
/ ing. thou and she whom thou hast
/ rescued from the accused Moslem shall
| remain here: but under the conditions
! that thy companion remain silent
! that she speak no WoTl 10 any brother
here. that sac be called Brother Paul
and in all things treated as man and
! "a brother. Have 1 thy promise. prince
Before heaven" answered the stran,
/ ger again kneeling and clasping the
/ holy fathers hand thankfully. The.
/ he turned to poor Dorothy. and told he.
/ in whispers the enalty Of silence i'm
posed upon her
| Fear nothing she said. pressing her
! lips 10 the princes ear; fear nothing.
/ for shall be faithful"
! Such food as the monks were per
mitted 20 eat IN days of especial feast
ing was brough'-dates, dried figs. a
kind OF shew bread and jug OF most
! exquisite Russian liquor The two visi-
tors sat down and ate and drank In
q silence.
Dorothy was delighted with the spir-
itual repose OF the holy sanctuary.
After she had partaken OF the food she