The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-29

face; bef~-e the countess could reach
my side "a s8in I heard his voice In my
ear. -Be at your window at dawn"
then he hurried away and I fed up 70
my room. A second later I heard the
key turn IN the lock. whilst a low,
malicious laugh sounded outside. Be-
hind me that locked door and q re-
venseful woman, before me window
that opened upon a pTecipice. Truly
was between ne devil and thu deep
sea.
covered down n the darkness,
waiting with beating heart for the
first streaks OF dawn. Then 1 dressed
and went 70 the window. Far below
in the valley the mist stiu rolled Ike
gray masses Of wool. but the mountain
tops showed cold and clear against
the gradually Tightening sky. 1 opened
my window and Deered out, and as the
light grew stronger I saw a light which
made me hold my breath with a new
fear.
Creeping, creeping along the tiny
parapet below me which overhung the
sheer rock came the secretary. some.
thing slung over his arm. his hands
gripping at whatever hold was AFFORD
mediately underneath nv window he
lifted his eyas 20 me. Take this" he
said, and Faised his arm Then I saw
that. slung on HIS arm. he carried q
rope ladder with graphing irons.
Fasten che irons 70 your Sill" hs
went on, and climb down"
I can't cried. Climb wheref''
The length OF the ladder he an
swered. do as I tell you-au win be
well"
Something compelling. in HIS glance
made me DO as he babe me. I seSzed
the ladder. fixed the irons. and swung
myself out on the frai swaying thing.
and let myself goi
Go down the cliff side TO the END NJ
the ladder" my rescuer said; there
you viii find a track shelf IN the clifr
Wait for ME there" and saving THIS
he slowly made his way bach sIonT
the ne Toy parapet. whilst I. cliuRtnr
Desperately to the swaying rope. de-
scended the face OF the clif.
II was ike an awful Nightmare
Each moment I expected 70 be precIr-
itated into the gulf below, where the
gray raist drifted and tossed Ike lost
spirits.
But at last-at Isst-after what
seemed Ike centuries. nv feet touche5
terra hr1na- I found myself on
Ledge upon which a goat could barely
have foothold, and, stin clinging fran
ttcally to the rope, leant back against
the rock and waited.
Again centuries seemed TO 20 nv
then voice came TO me through the
darkness and faintness that were
elouding my soul.
1 opened my eyes TO ses the secre-
tary's face. and his hands outheId.
Come he said. and I suffered him
TO lead me along that path OF peril
down into a valley hundreds Of Feet
below.
When we were out OF danger he told
me from what far greater peril 7
had escaped II appeared that the
count was subject to periodical at
tacks OF madness, and this was wen
known to his fellow-countryne and
women For family reasons his mar
rage was imperative. and the coun-
tess conceived the truly diabolical plan
or entrapping an ignorant girl from
a distant country into marrying her
son during one Of his periods of san
lily "A girl from England had been
selected, because, coming from so far
away she would be unlikely to know
anything Of the count and his pecu-
harities- The steward had approved OF
the scion and haa chosen me"
I tried to warn you" he said. s'bui
in vain. and I knew that II the coun-
tess suspected me OF influencing You
unduly, worse might befaU you.
could not bear 70 think Of the ghastlv
injury to an innocent and ignorant
girl, and I thought out plan after
plan. until at last in one Of my walks
l discovered this boat track"
Kind man. Finding how little money
possessed, ne helped me back q
civilization and England. ard so ended
the story of my strange experience.
which tell here as a warming to All
young people gainst attractive-sound-
ing foreign posts of which they know
nothing!
~ NJ