Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-26

I'll was cilill unu UcUtnllKe.
How do you known she demanded
quickly.
II have traverscd the passage be-
fore, Miss Calhoun" he replied. She
stopped like one paralyzcd, her eyes
wide and incredulous. "Franz was ray
guide from the outer gate into the
chapel. 1t Is easy enough to get out
side the walls, but extremely difficult
10 return" nc went on easily.
You mean 20 say that you have
been H. and out by way Of this pas
sage? Then, what was your object
s'r?' she demanded stcrnly.
My desire TO communicate with
friends who could not enter the city.
Will 1t interest you II say that the
particular object OF my concern was
q young woman
She gasped and was stubbornly ST.
lent for a long time Bitter resentment
oiled her soul, bitter disappointment in
this young man. "A young womanw
he had said. oh, so insolently! There
could be but one Inference, one conclu-
sion. The realization Of II settled one
point in her mind forever.
ut wouldn't interest me in the least.
] don't even care who she was. Per-
NIT me to wish you much Joy with her.
Why don't you go onf" irritably, for
getting that It was she who delayed
progress. His smile was invisible In
the blackness above the lantern. There
were no words spoken until after they
had reached the little door In the wall.
Here the passage was wider. There
were casks and chests on the floor. evil
IDENTITY containing articles that required
instant removal from Edelweisa in
case Of an emergency.
who was that woman?' she asked
at last. The key to the door was IN the
nervous little hand.
"One very near and dear to me, Miss
Calhoun. That's all l can cay at this
time"
well, this Is the only time you will
have the chance" she cried loftily.
Here we part. Hush" she whispered.
involuntarily grasping his arm. II
think | heard Il step. Can any one be
following u.s. They stopped and lis
tened. II was as still as 5 tomb.
ut must be the same old rat" he
answered tokngly. She was toe nerv-
Gus for any pleasantries and. releasing
her hold on his arm, said timldly,
"Goodby"
Am to go In this manner? Have
you no kind word for me? love YOU
better than my soul. 1t is of small
consequence TO you, ] know, but |
crave one forgIving word. 1t may be
the last He casped her hand, and
she did not withdraw it, Her lips
were trembling, but her eyes were
brave and obstinate. Suddenly she sat
down upon one of the chests. If he
had not told her Of the other woman!
Forgive me Instead. for all that
have brought you to-" she murmured.
at was all my fault shall never
forget you or forgive myself II am
going back to Washint ton Immediately.
| can't bear to stay here now. Good
by and God bless you. Do-do you
think we shall ever see each other
again." Unconsciously she was cling
Ing to his hand. There were tears in
the gray eyes that Looked pathetically
down there In the grewsome passage
way with the fitful rays Of the lantern
lighting her face. Only the strlctest
self control kept him from seizing her
in his arms. for something told him
that she would have surrendered.
This Is the end, fear" he said,
breath In half sob. Then she arose
resolutely, although her knees trem.
bled shamelessly.
well, then, gOodby," she said very
steadily. You are free &c go where
and to whom you like. Think Of me
once in awhile, Baldos Here's the
key. Hurry! II can't stand it much
longer" SlX was ready to break down,
and he saw1t butte made no sign.
Turning the key in the rusty lock, he
cautiously opened the door. The moon
lit world lay beyond A warm. intox,
icating breath of fresh air came In
upon them. lie suddenly stopped and
kissed her hand
Forgive me for having ANNOYED you
with my POOR love-" he said as he
stood In the door, looking into the
uISAl DtH buu.
"All-all right" she chokeI out as
she started TO close the door after him.
Halt. You are our prisoner"
The words rang out sharply in tho
silence of the night. Instinctively Bev-
erly made an attempt to close the
door, but she was too late. Two burly,
villainous looking men. sword in hand,
blocked the exit and advanced upon
them.
Back! Back Baldos shouted to
Beverly, drawing his sword.
Like a flash she picked up the Ian
tern and sprang ont of his way. Cap
ture or worse seemed certain, but her
heart did not fail her.
''Put UP your sword, You are under
arrest" came from the foremost of the
two. He had heard enough Of Baldos'
skill with the sword to hope that the
rIse might be successful and TINT he
would surrender peaceably to numbers.
'''' "'"''''''',. /,,,YMI