Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-08-28
CHAPTER XXI.

@AN -
Tell him all? l stood thinking, my
hand on the key. The voices OF the
rearrnost OF the conspirators sounded
more and more family as they passed
up the shaft, until their last accents
died IN the room above, and silence fol-
lowed-a silence in strange contrast
with the bright glare of the torches
which burned round me and lit UP the
empty cellar as for a feast. / was
wondering what he would say when |
told him all. when / said: II am your
son! /, whom Providence has used TO
thWart your plans, whose life you
sought. whom, without a thought OF
pity, you left to perish. i am your
SOM"
Infinitely / dreaded the moment when
I should tell him this and hear his an
swer, and / fingered with my hand on
the key until an abrupt knocking on
the other side Of the door brought the
blood TO my face. Before / could turn
the key the hasty summons was repeat
ed and grew to a frantic, hurried drum
ming on the boards-a sound which
plainly told of terror suddenly con-
ceived and In an instant full grown.
A hoarse cry followed, coming
duly to my ears through the thick
ness OF the door, and the next mo-
ment the stout planks shook as a
heavy weight fell against them.
| turned the key and the door was
flung open from within. My father
stumbled out.
The strong light for an instant
blinded him, and he blinked as an owl
does brought to the sunshine. Even In
him the long hours passed in solitude
and the blackness Of despair had
worked changes. His hair was grayer,
In patches 1t was almost white. and
then again dark. He had knawed his
lo,,1. lin a,A thara mara hlDnd atpi,e
on 1t. His mustache, too, was ragged
and torn. as IL he had gnawed hat
also. His eyes were ~bloodshot, his lean
face was white and haggard and fierce.
Hal" he cried. trembling as he
peered round, Il thought they had left
me to starve! There were rats In
therel / thought
He stopped. He saw me standing
holding the edge OF the door. He saw
tina otherwise the room was empty,
the farther loo leading to the shaft
open. An open door! To him
doubtless 1t seemed of all sights the
most wonderful. the most heavenly.
His knees began 70 shake under Inn.
What Is it?" he muttered. "What
were they shouting bout? | heard
them shouting"
The queen Is dying" answered
simply, "or dead, and you can do US
no more harm, You are free"
"Free?' he repeated the word.
leaning against the wall, his eyes. wild
and glaring. his lips parted.
YES. free" | answered In q lower
voice-"frae to go out into the air
of heaven a living mani" l paused. For
a moment | could not continue. Then
] added solemnly, "sir. Providence has
saved you from death and ME from a
crime"
He leaned still against the wall,
dazed, thunderstruck, almost incred-
ulOus, and looked from me 10 the open
door and back again as IL without
this constant testimony OF his eyes
he could not believe in his escape.
ut was not Anne?" he murmured.
"She did not--"
"She tried to save your life,' I
answered, but they would not listen
TO her"
Did she come here?'
As he spoke he Strengthened him
sen with an effort and stood up. He
was growing more like himself.
NO." | answered. she sent for me
| and told me md told me her terms.
But Kingston and the others would
not listen TO them. You would have
been dead now. though / did all /
could 10 ave you IL ~Penruddocke had
not brought this news OF the queen"
"She is dead"
she is dying. The Spanish ambassa-
dor" / added to clinch the matter, for
| saw he doubted. rode through here
this afternoon to pay his court TO the
Princess Elizabeth at Hatfield.
He looked down at the ground.
thinking deeply. Most men would nave
been unable to think at all. unable TO
concentrate their thoughts on any
thing save their escape from death.
But q life of daily risk and hazard
had SD hardened this man that / was
certain, as | watched him, that he
WAS not praying nor giving thanks.
He was already bordering how he
might make the most out OF the
change; how he might to the best adj
vantage sell his knowledge OF the gov
eminent whose hours were numbered
to the government which would soon
be. The life OF intrigue had become
second nature to him.
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