Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24


Madeleine turned to the boy. Quick,
Rosario! go back to one of those houses and get
a candle and a clothes-line-you needn't be
afraid; the people have all run away
The boy obediently departed. Madeleine
hung in the door afraid to let Bentley discover
who were his rescuers, lest he pronounce them
inadequate and insist upon sending for the
soldiers. This, she knew, would take some
time and she dared not take the chances His
labored breathing reached her painfully. The
suspense had become intolerable, when Rosario
reappeared with candle and some strong ropes.
By the Pickering light they peered into the
black hole that yawned beneath them. The
false floor of narrow bamboo sticks had, as in
tended, given way at the first pressure; and
pinned to of the numberleSS sharpened
stakes that protruded out of the ground, lay
the young officer.
Rosario doubled the ropes and made their
ends into nooses. With the first he caught the
lieutenant around the shoulders. Bentley
under his arms. Another loop caught him
securely around the legs Then the two grasped
the rope ends, and began to pull, carefully
at first that they might dislodge him as gently
as possible. When sharp groan followed,
showing that he was free they put their whole
strength to it and strained at the great weight
till the blood in their faces congested from the
exertion. Still he hung uncertainty in midair;
and they knew that only by some desperate
and almost superhuman effort could he be
Madeleine, with a prayer in her teeth, threw
her whole soul into this final racking trial
She was barely aware of it when human
form doomed suddenly out of the darkness and
dropped heavily beside her.
The girl collapsed in nerveless heap, and
1t was not till a groan from Bentley aroused
her that she recovered sufficiently to crawl
over to him. Blood was flowing from an ugly
cash in his back. He was in great pain, and
She bestirred herself to relieve it. With
he GOT To he Str
tunately near at hand, and carefully washed
the wound and bound it with strips from her
garments. Rosario was then despatched for
the soldiers and stretcher.
Her charge reused himself finally and looked
about him She could see the amazement in his
face override every other emotion What
your" he faltered increduously, attempting
to struggle to his elbow
Madeleine pressed him gently back Don't
exert yourself, Dick She entreated 1T
might start the bleeding again.
He did not demur, and Madeleine moved
over to her former position. For several
minutes they regarded each other with silent
earnestness. The moonlight, as IS its way in
the tropics shed about them a startling imi-
tation of daylight 1t revealed the girl, crouch
ing in the grass, her loose cleaning hair, and
torn garments, and the drawn, intent face of
her companion.
However did it happen Dick?" Madeleine
broke the silence gently.
Simply enough" he answered. In run
ming down the stragglers, l got separated
from the men. was determined to catch one
fellow whom l had recognized as a leader.
1t was dark, and his adroitness led me to be-
lieve that he had sought refuge in that hut.
The result of my entrance was as you see.
Do you know" he broke off haltingly, while
l was lying in there had prenonition that
you would come, just as l have dreamed
through long, fevered, and weary nights that
you would come at last, It's SO seldom that
life is really knd-like this. Or maybe it
isn't, after ALL ;" he glanced up at her in awaken
ed alarm" perhaps you've just come to go
again you used to do in the dreams
No, Dick dear" she drew gently over to
him, " am not dream at all, only ragged
and disheveled girl; but have come to stay"