Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-04-09


light She misunderstood his mirth ant
was conscious Of new and an almos
uncomfortable pang. He was filled witt
exhilaration over the prospect of es
cape! Somehow she felt an impulse t
throw her arms about him and dral
him back into the chapel in spite of tht
ghost OF the game warden's daughter.
"What Is to prevent me from taking
you with meg' he said intensely, q
mighty longing In his breast. She
laughed, but drew back uneasily.
"And live unhappily ever after
wardY' said she. "Oh, dear me! Isn't
this a funny proceeding? Just think
Of me, Beverly Calhoun, being mixed
up I'm schemes and plots and intrigues
and all that! 1t seems like great
big dream. And that reminds me
you will find a rain coat at the foot of
the steps. l couldn't get other clothes
for you, so you'll have to wear the
uniform. There's a stiff hat of Mr.
Lorrys also. You've no idea how diff
hcult it is for girl to collect clothes
] lOE Il llldu. NOCSu " DO
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
far is 1t, do you suppose, to the door
In the wall?' She was chatterlng on,
simply to keep up her courage and to
make her fairest show of composure.
IT'S a little more than 800 yards"
he replied. They were advancing
through the low, narrow stone lined
passage. She steadfastly ignored the
hand he held back for support. 1t was
not a 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 knOw? she demanded
quickly.
81 have traversed the passage be-
fore, Miss Calhoun" he replied She
stopped like 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,
sirY' she demanded sternly.
"My desire to communicate with
fvsfandC hn kho ask
Will it interest you if say that the
particular object of my concern was
a young woman"
She gasped and was stubbornly ST.
lent for long time. Bitter resentment
filed 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-
sien. The realization of it settled one
point in her mind forever.
ut wouldn't interest me in the least
l 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 it was she who delayed
pAOSlOoS' Ills oAillIc was lHflSlDle III
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, evi-
IDENTIFY 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 can say at this
time"
"Well, this is the only time you will
have the chance" she cried loftily.
Here we part Hush!" she whispered
lnvoluntarily grasping his arm. 81
think heard a step. Can any one be
following us?" They stopped and lis
tened. 1t was as still as tomb.
ut must be the same old rat" he
answered joklngly. She was too nerv-
Gus for any pleasantries and, releasing
her hold on his arm, said tlmidly
"GoOdbyw
"Am to go in this manner? Have
you no kind word for me? | love you
better than my soul 1t is Of small
to you, | know, but /
crave one forglving word 1t may be
the last" He clasped 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
1T was all my fault | shall never
forget you or forgive myself. II am
going back to WaShin'ton Immediately
l 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 pathetlcally
down there In the grewsOme passage
way with the fltful rays of the lantern
lighting her face. Only the strictest
self control kept him from selzing her
IN his arms, for something told him
that she would have surrendered.
"Thls Is the end, l fear" he said,
with grim persistence She caught1her
breath in half sob. Then she arose
resolutely, although her knees trem-
hled shamelessly.
'Well, then, goOdby," she said very
steadily. "YOu are free to go where
and to whom you like. Think of NE
once in awhile, Baldos Here's the
key. Hurry! IL can't stand it much
longer" She was ready to break down,