The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-11-02

CHAPTER Nlu.--CoNTINUED
Some seconds of brief silence fol-
lowed. could hear them slowly drip
ping out Of eternity in the tick Of a
watch near me. l felt the stare OF
many eyes invisible to me. A bread
beam Of bright light shot through the
gloom. resting full upon my face.
started back upon the strong hands
behind me. Then l felt my muscles
tighten as began 10 measure the fall
and to wonder il l could clear the
bayonets. l had no doubt l was to
die shortly. and it mattered not to
me how bound as l was, so that II
came soon. For a breath of silence my
soul went up TO the feet OF God for
help and hope. Then bent my knees
and leaped. | saw much as my body
went rushing through the air an
empty grave, its heap of earth be-
side it. an island Of light. walled
with candles, in a sea Of gloom,
faces showing dimly in the edge
Of the darkness. Thank God.
shall clear the bayonets,"
thought, and struck heavily on a soft
mat. covered over with green turf,
little beyond that bristiing bed /
staggered backward, falling upon it.
To my surprise, 1t bent beneath me.
They were no bayonets. but only shells
Of painted paper I got to my feet
meme the worse for jumping, and as
dumfounde6 as ever a man could be.
| stood on a lot OF broken turf with
which a wide floor had been overlaid.
Boards and timbers were cut away, and
the grave dug beneath them. | saw
enc face among others in the gloom
beyond the candle rows-that of his
lordship. He was coming up a little
flight of stairs to where | stood. He
moved the candles, making a small
passage, and came up to me.
You're a brave man." said he, In
that low. careless tone OF his.
And you a coward" was my an
swer. for the sight of him had made
Oae burn with anger.
Don't commit yourself on a point
like that" said he, quickly, for, you
know, We are not well acquainted.
like your pluck. and | offer you what
Is given to few hsre-san explanation"
He paused, lighting a cigarette. l
stood looking at him. The cold po-
likeness of manner with which he had
taken my taunt, his perfect self-mas-
terry. filled me with wonder. He was
no callow youth, that man, whoever
he might be He was boring at the
floor with the end OF a timber cane
as he continued to address me.
Nov, look here" he went on, with
a little gesture of his left hand, be-
tween the fingers of which a cigarette
was burning. you are now IN the
temple of patriotic society sctinE with
no letters patent, but in the good cause
OF his Most Excellent Majesty King
George ILL.,, to whom be health and
happiness"
AS he spoke the name he raised his
hat, and a cheer came from all sides
of us.
ut is gathered this night" he con-
tinued, ito syenge the death of Lord
Ronley. a friend Of his Majesty. and of
many here present. and an honored
member Of this order. For his death
you, and you alQae. are responsible,
and, We suspect, under circumstances
Of no credit to your sword Many Of
our people have been cut off from
their comrades and slain by cowardly
stealth, have been led into ambush and
cruelty cut 70 pieces by overwhelming
humber, have been shut in prison and
zone to death by starvation or by
stsAs Of a knife there in your country.
Not sGVtens with the weayoav Of Q