The Elbert County tribune., 1907-03-07
CHAPTER xx-continued.

fre. Then we sat In the welcome
light to rest our weary limbs, while
we made a number of torches from
the brush heap-and all the time my
heart was joyful was saved-I
would, IL God spared me, look again
Into those great brown eyes.
What do you think caused the ex-
plosion?" asked Gideon.
II cannot TELL" replied valdermere,
unless It was the firing OF pistols.
or perhaps torch was dropped In our
excitement into some chasm below
where there was gas, or possibly the
recent blasting has opened some pas
sage charged with the fluid"
The pangs of hunger had begun to
tell upon us, and we arose with diff
ficul:y to resume our journey, but en-
couraged by the lights which the
torches afforded us we pushed des-
perately forward
At different points we found evi-
dcnces of great shock from the ex-
plosion, but, as the path rose with
each step. these soon disappeared.
Two days had elapsed and we had
travelled many miles. only resting
when forced to do so. At last we
reached large spring Of cool water.
from which ran a stream. Following
this. we were soon under the bright
MONDAY sun of the world without.
A cry of joy broke from my lips,
and silently thanked God for our
deliverance.
1t was impossible to tell how far
we had come, for the paths of the cav
erns rose from one point to another.
and wound in circuitous manner,
but when we walked out into the rays
of the sun l looked upon the beauti-
full valley stretching below us and COW
cred with the ripe verdure OF Spring
and my heart filled with gratitude,
while silent prayer arose from my
soul.
Seating ourselves upon a rock near
by, we drank in the fragrance of the
sweet-scented pines
Where shall we go now" said the
Giant. there are but three of us;
must we linger here and starve?"
Valdermere remained silent, as II
debating. Then he said:
you must go at once to New Or
leans, and inform Miss De Tavenier
of the terrible casualty. Be gentle"
he added, looking significantly toward
me. "and say to her that I will join
you there. All, break the news ten
derly to her. Castleman."
A said, far-off look came into his
eyes as he spoke, and the once bright
radiance that characterized his coun-
tenance was gone.
This prince of conspirators, this
wondrous being. whose cabalistic
knowledge, occult powers, and mysti-
cal control of the human faculties
rendered him SO infinitely above man.
kind, and SO formidable an agent of
THE Invisible Hand" and placed him
among the powerful members OF
cabal whose object was the revolution
of the world had been thwarted by
the hand of Nature, the only God he
would stoop to adore. His associates
were dead, horribly dead, and who
could now promote the schools that
1t was his ambition to establish. felt
sickening sensation of horror as
looked into his face, aged and tragic
read in his eyes, that all was over
with him, but he complained not-he
even smiled as he read my mind,
smile of unutterable sadness.
"Why," said the Giant, "can you
not accompany us to New Orleans
Who but yourself can tell of to-day?"
II will join you later; | must now
be alone. But, stay, have you the
means to reach your destination"
"Oh. yes," laughed Gideon, "and
that reminds me that I also have the
great diamond and other gems which
gathered from the floor of the
Chamber of Silence" and he handed
them to valdermere.
Keep them. Gideon, for you have
been faithful. brave, and never want
ing when duty called you. Keep
them, say, and they will make you
a rich man. You shall hear from me
soon.'
"Shall hear from your" stammered
the Giant, looking with wondering
eyes upon his friend. What do you
mean-do you think shall leave YOU
-never!"
1T is better that you should ac-
company my friend Rodin to New Or
leans, for no time must be lost in ac-
quainting Miss De Tavenier with what
has happened-I know and appreciate
your feelings. Gideon. but it is better
you should CO."
Then, do you go?" urged the
Giant.
Mo- replied valdemere sadly; 81
have other work to do, shall re-
main"
Then better or worse shall remain
also,' said the Giant with greater feel
ing. DO you think shall leave you
have you forgotten the goth of De-
cember, have you forgotten that field
OF ice and blood-our blood, Valdez
mere. and the blood of our enemies
say, never!"