The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-27
Copyright, 1907. by Arthur w. M.rchmont

IEIT 49, 1'lSS0 tpH anu III Aotih iluu
acted In part as a guard. diminishing
the force of the blow. It had been
smashed In consequence.
She began dimly to understand also
now 1t was that Merridew had found
her. Dawleigh must have told what
ne Knew and tho prttencc of the hur-
ned departure had been arranged in
order to put her off her guard. Merri-
dew had then followed her and had
been in time to see her open the panel
into tile inner chamber. He had thus
learned her secret.
All such thoughts but accumulated
her misery and deepened her despair.
And as she lay helpless In the pitchy
OF the place she could not
Tut them away from her. They fas-
tened upon her with a horrible NOR
bid fascination. until with a supreme
effort she forced herself to seek refuge
In prayer for courage and strength in
her suffering.
She grew calmer then. n presently
her thoughts turned again to the posi-
billy of escape. Tortured with tho
pain in ner head and broken arm. sho
crawled along the floor. feeling with
her cheek to find the secret door lead
ing to the staircase. II she could find
"'' oPCi LtIlht, SIN IuiElI Hlu5 lucIc
until she had strength to get away.
Inch by inch she moved. with infinite
labor and suffering, every nerve mo-
tived by this last feeble hope. She
her cheek against each spot
of the wall that was within her reach.
Then she found that her feet We're frSe.
IT she could but stand UP. her chance
OF success would be much greater.
Winning her way to a corner, she
made the effort. Three times she hall
raised herself, only to- fall again; the
last time upon the broken arm. and
with the pain OF his she all but
tainted.
Hope saved her. however. She felt
tiiat she was getting stronger; and at
the next attempt she succeeded In get
ting upon her knees. But the lifting
OF the head set 1t %throbbing again. Dizzy
With the torture 1t cause 1t was some
minutes before she could even move.
But her courage was ,unquenchable.
Every second Of time was precious. for
would return, and terrible
though her plight was already. his
coming would mean certain death.
Why ne had not already returned she
could not understand.
Driven by these thoughts she strug-
gled to her feet. and then had to lean
against the wall. for support for a
time from the torture which each
movement provoked. But she per-
severed n at last succeeded in find
Ing what she sought.
Only to. be Knocked again. however.
Try as she would. she found Il inn
possible to move the spring by which
the door was operated. The disap-
pcintment was tho greatest blow OF
all. Here were the means Of escape
within touch, and she was powerless
to use them.
A last desperate effort which IN
made resulted in another disaster. She
fell again, striking her head violently,
and swoone1.
When she recovered consciousness,
1T was to feel some one pulling her
broken arm and dragging at the rope
which bound her. She thought 1t was
Merridew n screamed.
But it was Purvis. He had come to
himself: and in crawling over the floor
had found her lying still as death and
was trying to restore her.
"Hush," he. said. putting his hand
to her lips. Thank Heaven, you are
alive. / thought he had killed YOU"
MY arm is broken" she whispered
family. oh! his pain. this PAIN
He laid the arm down gently and
crawled to her other side. "You arc
a brave girl. Courage. Can you bear
Inc to try and loosen this other ARM"
Yes" She gritted her teeth as he
stood thick on her forehead; but not
a sigh escaped her, as he tugged and
dragged, first at the cord and then
at her arm. until lie had released IT..
And when it was freed she collapsed
once more and would have tainted had
he not rubbed the arm and tmplored
her to have courage for both their
sakes.
There is another way out. Can you
find it?" he asked.
II cannot move vet. My lamp is
somewhere OH the floor. Look for T."
she whispered in reply.
He moved away and she heard him
crawling over the floor in search OF
1t. and she waited for a time that
seemed many hours before an on
clamation from him announced his sue
cess. He came back n turned the
light onto her. face.
my poor grill my poor girl!' lie
murmured, compassionately.
But this irritated her. It was vast
ing time. Help me TO rise" she said
fretfully. Quick,
Again the torture OF movement was
intolerable. But now the
chance of escape was changing to cer-
.tainty; and she let him lit her, utter
ing no sound to indicate what she was
suffering, and leaned against the Wall
close to the way of escape.
TT We can get out there we can
walt. \ secret stairway. Give me the
light"
She managed to hold 1T up and as
she pointed out to him the spring
that must be moved, she gave a vio-
lent start and caught her breath.
Some one had entered the -adjoin-
ing room. 1t could only be Merridew
returning to complete his work,
Excitement nerved and strengthened
her. Reaching up h moved the
spring, Just as they heard some n
feeling for tho means Of opening the
other panel. N
They staggered through and. as
Olive was closing, he door behind
them. Purvis missed his footing and
went rolling down the. stairs.
The Instant she was In this cons
paratlve safety, Olives sudden access
of strength deserted her and she sank
exhausted, and lay With her head on
tho top step close to the threshold OF
the door.
She heard Merridew enter the inner
chamber they had just left and his