Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-06-14
<@ =
D'ri and I
By IRVING bAChELLER
Author Of "Eben Holden, "Dayral Of
the Blessed Isles" Etc.
CHAPTER XII.-voSr1SuED.
upysasAs, 1901, by Lethrop Publishing Compan,

eAAS N'<'N VI q SOlulet. My lHtueI mac
always told me there was no greater
glory for anybody than that OF a brave
death. Somehow the feeling got to be
part OF me. While had little fear OF
death, dreaded to tie shot like Z
ielon. But | should be dying for my
country, and that feeling seemed to
light the shadows. When fell asleep
after much worry. it was to dream OF
my three rountrymen who had fallen
TO their faces there by the corn.
awoke to find the guard in our cell
and Dri and he whispering together.
he had come with our breakfast.
An I want D'ri was saying, lis a
piece OF iron. with a sharp end, halt
es long eS yer arm"
lie made no answer that big. sullen
bulldog man who brought our food to
us 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
1t Keep i'm awake nights. He was ask
IN bout tibet air tew thousand dol
lars Fl they II let us alone fer three
days. We II be out O. here. Now, YOU
mark my word
How" l inquired.
Jest a leetle job O. slidin' downhill,"
ne said. There's a Dig drain-pipe goes
under this cell-t' the river, prob'ly.
He says il 5 bigger n BARREL
We saved our candle that day, and
walked up and down. from wall to
wall. for exercise. Our hopes were high
when we heard footsteps. but they fell
suddenly, for. as we listened, we could
near the tramp of a squad Of men. They
came to our cell, and took us upstairs,
t!inu-folded as before. to bathroom,
where the uniforms, discarded the day
OF our capture, were waiting for us,
newly pressed. Our bath over. they d..
rec1ed 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. It was
dark, knew. for as we entered car
rlage | could dimly see the glow of a
lantern hanging over the Wheel The
carriage went away swiftly on level
road: We sat knee to knee, with two
men facing us, and not a word was
spoken. We could hear hoofs falling,
tho rattle of bit and rein, the creak
OF sadule-leather on each side of us.
We must nave gone long journey
when the carriage halted They pulled
us out roughly and let us up three
steps and across a deep yeranda. A
bell rang, door swung open, food Of
light fell on us, filtering to our eyes,
Entering, we could feel a carpet I'M
der us, aud took dozen PAGES or more
before they bade us halt. We heard
only tue low-spoken order and the
soft tread Of our feet There was 4
dead silence when they removed our
letters and unbound our eyes. We were
standing in big and sumptuous draw.
1ng-room. A company of gentlemen
sat near us in arm-chairs; there
were at 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 to your Lord
ship was approaching me, hand ex-
tended.
Glad to see you; sit down." he said
in the same quiet, languid, forceful
tone I 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-
ble,'' he said. A servant began filing
row of glasses. I'VE have here wine
and wit and all the accessories, includ-
but / have not the honor of your ac-
quaintance. Let it suffice to say these
are my friends" lhe turned to those
who sat about, "and gentlemen, these
are my enemies" he added, turning to
US. Let us hope they may die happy"
And with a fighting chance" I
added, lifting the glass without tast-
ing it.
Dri sat, his brows lifted, his hands
IN his pockets, his legs crossed. He
looked curiously from one to another.
Horton said his lordship, as he
sat down, leaning lazily on the arm Of
his chair, will you have them bring
down the prisoners?'
The servant left the room. Some of
the men were talking together in low
tones; they were mostly cookbook
ing and we'll dressed.
"Gentlemen," said his lordship, ris-
ing suddenly, I'm going to turn you
out of here for moment-they're shy
lot Won't you go into the library:"
They all arose and went out of q
door save one. bald man of middle
age, half tipsy, who begged of his
''Ludship' the privilege OF remaining.
Sir Charles" said the young man,
still lounging in his chair as he spoke
in that cold calm tone of his, "you
annoy me- Go at once!" and he went
They covered our faces with nap.
kins of white linen. Then we heard
heavy steps, the clink Of scabbards on
stairway, the feet OF ladies, and the
swish Of their gowns. With quick
movement our faces were uncovered
rose to my feet, for there before me
stood Louison and the Baroness d.
Ferre, between two guards, and, be.
behind them, Louise, her eyes
covered, her beautiful head bent
low. could see that she was
crying. The truth came to me
in a flash Of thought. They had been
taken after we left; they were prison.
ers brought here to identify us. A
like Quickne<s of perception had ap.
parently come all. We four stood
looking at one another with no sign