Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-10
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON,
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ss
csprisAt iso4 b ~.
nasd nj csapMy

OutSlue Cle CITY Walls.
You go first" she whispered nerv-
ously. Pm afraid. There is a lantern
On the steps, and have some matches.
Well light it as soon as oh, what
was that?'
Don't be frightened" he said. 81
think it was rat"
Good gracious!'' she gasped. II
wouldn't 60 in there for the world"
''Do you mean to say that you intend
ID to do sol" he asked eagerly.
Certainly. Some one has to return
the key to the outer gate. Oh, sup
pose I'll have to go in. You'll keep
them of, won't your" plaintively. He
was smiling in the darkness, thinking
what dear, whimsical thing she was.
with my life," he said softly.
"They're ten times worse than lions,''
lhe announced.
"You must not forget that you re-
turn alone" he said triumphantly.
"But I'll have the lantern going full
blast" she said and then allowed him
10 lead her into the narrow passage
way. She closed the panel and then
felt about with her foot until it located
the lantern. In minute they had
light. Nov. don't be afraid" she said
encouragingly. He laughed in pure de-
light. She misunderstood his mirth and
was conscious of a new and an almost
uncomfortable pang. He was filled with
exhilaration over the prospect of es-
cape! Somehow she felt an impulse to
throw her arms about him and drag
him back into the chapel in spite of the
ghost of the game warden's daughter
what is to prevent me from taking
you with me?" he said intensely, a
mighty longing in his breast. She
laughed, but drew back uneasily.
And live unhappily ever after
wardf' said she. "Oh. dear me! Isn't
this a funny proceeding? Just think
Of me, Beverly Calhoun, being mixed
up in schemes and plots and intrigues
md all that! 1t seems like great
big dream. And that reminds me
you VIII ind rain coat at the foot Of
the steps. couldn't get other clothes
for you, so you'll have to wear the
Uniform. There's stiff hat of Mr..
4 Locry's also. You've no idea how diff
dcult it is for girl to collect clothes
for man. There doesn't seem to be
any real excuse for it, you know
Goodness, 1t looks black ahead there,
doesn't It? hate underground things.
They're SO damp and all that. How
tar is it, do you suppose, to the door
In the WALTZ" She was chattering on,
simply to keep up her courage and to
make her fairest show Of composure.
"It's little more than 300 yards, y
be replied. They were advancing
through the low, narrow stone lined
passage. She steadfastly ignored the
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 assailed the nostrils; the
air was chill and deathlike.
"How do you known" she demanded
quickly.
II have traversed the passage be.
fore. Miss Calhoun" he replied. She
stopped IKE one paralyzed, her eyes
wide and incredulous. FRANZ was my
guide from the outer gate into the
chapel. 1t is easy enough to get out.
side the walls, but extremely difficult
to return" he went on easily.
"You mean to say that you have
been in and out by way of this pas.
sage? Then, what was your object
sir7" she demanded sternly.
my desire to communicate with
friends who could not enter the city
Will it interest you If l say that the
particular object of my concern was
ayoung woman?"
She gasped and was stubbornly ST
lent for long time. Bitter resentment
dlled her soul, bitter disappointment in
this young man. "a young woman!
he had said, oh, SO insolently! There
could be but one inference, one conclu
sion. The realization Of it settled one
point in her mind forever.
1T wouldn't interest me in the least
I don't even care who she was. Per
NIT me to wish you much joy with her
Why don't you go ONT" irritably, for
getting that 1t was she who delayed
progress. His smile was invisible IL
the blackness above the lantern. Their,
were no words spoken until after the,
had reached the little door in the wall
Here the passage was wider. Their,
were casks and chests on the floor, evi
dsntly containing articles that required
instant removal from Edelweiss il
case Of an emergency.
WHO was that woman?" she asked
at last. The key to the door was In tn,
nervous little hand.
zone very near ana dear to me, Mis-
Calhoun. That's all I can say at thi
time"
well, this is the only time you will
have the chance" she cried loftily
Here we part. Hushw she whispered
involuntarlly grasping his arm. g
think I heard step. Can any one b.
following us?" They stopped and lis
tened. 1t was as still as tomb.
1T must be the same old rat" b.
answered jokingly. She was too nerv
GUS for any pleasantries and, releasing
her hold on his arm, said timidly
"Goodby!'
"Am to go In this manner? Hav
you no kind word for me? love 20
better than my soul. It is Of smal
consequence to you, know, but
crave one forgiving word. 1t may b
the last" He clasped her hand. an
she did not withdraw 1t. Fer lip
were trembling. but her eyes wer
brave and obstinate. Suddenly she 50