The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-03-06
BY
GEORGE BARR
MGTCHf0N,
Au.hor of f"Graassark'
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ed. Hush! 1t dOeSn maIIeI where !
got the key. See! See how easy it is!'
/ He felt her tense little fingers in the
] darkness searching for his. Their hands
were icy cold when the clasp came. To-
/ gether they stood in a niche Of the wall
near the chancel rail. It was dark, and
a cold draft Of air blew across their
faces. He could not see, but there was
] proof enough that she had opened the
secret panel in the wall and that She
/ damp, chill air came from the under
ground passage which led to a point
outside the city walls.
'sYou go arst" she whispered nerv-
ously. 'sI'm afraid. There is 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. 81
wouldn't go in there for the world"
'.Do you mean to say that you intend
ed to do so?'' he asked eagerly.
Certainly. Some one mas to return
the key to the outer gate. Oh, I sup
pose I'll have to go in. You'll keep
Them off, won't you?" 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 Iions,"
she announced.
'eYou must not forget that you re-
turn alcne,'' he said triumphantly.
But I'll have the lantern going full
oiast," she said and then allowed him
t9 lead her in'o the narrow passage
way. She closed the panel and then
! felt about with her foot until it located
tie ;antern. In minute they had q
rgAG Now, don't be afraid" she said
encoura singly. He laughed in pure de-
| light. She misunderstood his mirth and
| vas conscious Of new and an almost
sanenap-able pang. He was filed with
/ s:xhiiaration over the prospect Of es-
cape: Somehow she felt an impulse to
throw her arms about him and drag
lin back into the chapel in spite Of the
ghost Of the game warden's daughter
What is to prevent NE from taking
you with ne?' he saic intensely, q
mighty longing IL his breast. She
sa2ghed, but drew back uneas,ly.
and live unnappily ever after
ward ~ sa5d she. "oh, dear me: Isn't
Enis funny proceeding? Just think
eF Tas. Beverly Calhoun, being mixed
sp in schemes and plots and intrigues
! and al that! It seems like a great
j oig dream. And that reminds me
: you VII find a rain coat at the foot of
! lie Steps. I couldn't get other clothes
For you, 80 you'll have to wear the
uniform. There's a stiff hat Of Mr.
LorTys also. You've no idea how diff
+! fc1it it is for girl to collect clothes
for man. There doesn't seem to be
any real excuse for it, you know.
| Goodness, it 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 chattering on,
simply to keep up her courage and to
make her fairest show Of composure.
"It's q, little more than 300 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 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. It 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.
sir?' she demanded sternly.
'My desire to communicate with
| friends who could not enter the city.
VIII 1t interest you if say that the
| particular object Of my concern was
young wonan?"
She gasped and was stubbornly si-
lent for long time. Bitter resentment
! flied 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.
"It 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
+! progress. His smile was invisible in
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-