Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-06-22
CHAPTER XVI.
The Struggle in the Passage.

dpiooI Will lCIlol
He nearly lost his hold on the rocks,
| down which he was about to climb
| cautiously. His hair stood on end for
moment, while chill of horror
shook his powerful frame.
ooh, heaven!" thought Clarence
Darrell, also dismayed for an instant,
alarmed by my long absence, Helen
has ventured to seek for me, and the
shouting of this wretch has terrified
her. All may be lost now. If sue
coed in killing this ruffian, the Osreds
will know it, and doubtless seek for
us and find us"
These thoughts flashed through the
mind Of Clarence the moment he heard
voice of Helen, who had succeeded in
traversing the winnings of the passage
till she was not many feet distant
from her lover--her slow and cautious
movements, and his attention toward
Bashfort, having prevented Clarence
from hearing her approach until twas
too late to warn her of their peril.
'Sflames! the voice of the lady!'
gasped Bashfort, shaking off his mo-
mentary terror, as Helen again cried
out, from the darkness Of the passage:
Clarence! Clarence! come to me,
Clarence, for can crawl no further!"
With great difficulty from the mar
rowness Of the passage, Clarence turn
ed about where he was and fastened
On his hands and knees to where Helen
lay PROSTATE, overcome with terror
Silence" he whispered, as he
neared her. ~ am well. silence!
Danger is near us! Bashfort is at the
mouth of this passage. Retreat. All
may yet De we'll If he does not tell the
Osreds. Can you turn?"
yes" whispered Helen, in faint
voice. "So--now obey you. God help
u.s."
"And now I must see if the ruf1ian
speaks of his discovery to those above
He has not yet, or should have heard
him." thought Clarence, turning again
with difficulty and crawling back to-
ward the mouth of the cave
Bashfort had not shouted to the Os.
reds that he had heard anything-in-
deed his sudden and great fright
though very brief, had for Tina de.
priyed him of the power to shout.
He had just collected his wits
enough to enter into the cave a little
and listen, when Clarence, returning
from warning Helen, reached a place
from which the startled ruffian could
be seen crouching near the center of
the small cave.
Bashfirt, however, though he faced
Clarence. could not see the young man,
SO narrow was the passage and :. SO
black the gloom around Helen's lover.
"Ha!" muttered Bashfort, after lis
tening moment, II imagine how 1t is,
though cannot imagine how it came
| about. Delirious people are in fact,
for the time, crazy people-lunatics-
and lunatics are often very cunning,
and sometimes do the most Incredible
things. She wanted to deceive us
to make us believe that she had fall
en- over the cliff Then she contriyed
II cannot see how--to descend, and
found hiding place here. How? Who
can tell? Yet she is here, somewhere
within this passa ge, which now can
see in the rear of the cave, dellrious-
crazy-yet, and hunting for her lover,
| whom she dotes upon. III seek for
her. She cannot be far away-ot
course not. Her voice sounded not
/ is very still now"
He listened; then he spoke his
thoughts aloud again-as was his%fre-
quent habit, when he believed no ear
was near-in a low growl, which was
clearly heard by Clarence.
.sShe heard me shouting, and 1t rous-
| ed her from a nap in there, perhaps,
and now she is alarmed and cunning
and keeps as still as a scared mouse.
I must catch her myselfA-neither my
lord nor the captain can get down
| here to help me. But need no help
lTIl catch her and tie her, and then let
my lord know Of it. Good! It will be
a grand surprise for him and the cap
tain Ss
Helen--Miss Helen!" he said. in q
llouder voice, and in a coaxing tone.
L9Whist! / am Clarence! your own
dear, sweet, Clarence Daredevil
That's not the name Clarence Farrell!
.TIa! i thought that would make her
stirsa little,' he added to himself, as a
slight sound came to him from the
passage. She's there mot far OFF! Z
He nov began to creep on his hands
and knees tesHan. the {. et g 3
Usage, whispering in q loud and vince
ding tone:
Helen, my own are you there, my
love? am your own true Clarence!
Don't you remember how you held
lyour sweet arms out to me last night.
and called ME your own dear Clarence
took wine and nice things to you on
4 tray 81! II hear you, my precious.
i Now don't keep retreating IN this
1 dAmnab bic naean in this miserable
i black hnle! must follow you, you