The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-10-12


WardF' said she. "Oh dear me, Isn't
oiS funny proceeding? Just think
oi me- beverly Calhoun, being mixed
up IN schemes and plots and intrigues
ana all that! 1t seems like Il great
Dig dream. And that reminds me-
you VIII lind rain coat at the foot of
the steps. l couldn't get other clothes
Tor you. so you'll have to wear the
uniform. There's a stiff hat of Mr..
Lorry.s also. You've no idea how dif.
ncult 1t Is for girl to collect clothes
Tor man. There doesn't seem TO be
any real excuse for it, YOU know.
Goodness. 1t looks black ahead therc
doesn't 1t? l hate underground things,
They're so damp and all that. How
Iar Is 1T, do you suppose, to the door
IN the wall?' She was chatterinp on
SIMPLY TO keep up her courage and to
nuke her fairest show of composure.
It's n little more than 800 yards"
he replied. They were advancing
through the low. narrow stone lined
passage. She steadfastly ignored tho
hand he held back for support. IT was
not pleasant place, this underground
way to the outside world. The walls
were damp and moldy; the odor of the
rank earth assailcd the nOStrils: the
air was chill and deathlikc.
How do you know" she demanded
quickly.
have travcrSci the passage bc
fore. Miss Calhoun" he replied. She
stopped like one paralyZcd. her cycs
swide ans! incrcdulous. "F'ranZ was nv
guid" from the outer gate into the
chapel 1t is easy enough to get out
size the wallis, but extremely difficult
TO return" he went on easily.
aou mean to say that You have
Decn In and out by wnye OF this pas
sage! Then. what was your object.
s!r!' she demanded sternly.
My desire to communicate with
friends who could not enter the city.
VIII 1t interest you II say that the
: particular object OF my concern was
young woman?"
She gasped and was stubbornly ST.
lent for Il long time. Bitter resentment
filled her soul. bitter disappointment in
this young man. "A young womanw
lie had said, oh. SO insolently! There
could be but one inference. one conclu-
sion. The realization of it settled one
pOlnC IN ner MIND forever.
1T wouldn't interest me in che least.
I don't even care who she was. Per-
NIT me to wish you much joy with her.
Why don't you go on?' irritably, for
getting that 1t 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 OH the floor, evil
IDENTITY containing articles that required
instant removal from Edelweiss 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 say at this
time"
"Wcll. this is the only time you will
have the chance" she cried loftily
Here we part. Hush" she whispered.
invOluntarily graSping his arm. 81
think heard Il step. Can any one be
following u.s." They stopped and lis
tened. 1t was as still as tomb
1T must bc the same old rat" he
answered jokinSly. She was too nerv-
GUS for any plcasantries and. releasing
her hold on his arm, said timidly.
"GOodby,"
Am | to go in this manner? Have
YOU no kind word for me? | love you
better than my soul. 1t is C{ small
consequence TO you, ! know, but
crave one forgiving word. 1t may be
the last He claspcd 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 murmurcd.
, "It was all my fault. l shall never
forget you or forgive myself II am
going back to Washin'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 pathctically
down there in the grcwsome passage
way with the ftful rays of the Lantern
lighting her face. Only the strictcs
self control kept him from sciZing he'
In his arms. for something told hiii
that she would have surrendered.
This is the end | fear" he said
with grim persistence. She caught he
breath in half q sob. Then she arose
resolutely, although her knees trem
blcd shamelessly
well, then, goodby," she said YER!
steadily. You are free to go wher,