The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-09
By ROBERT CARLTON BROWN
=AUTHOR OF--=
"T1E BURDEN OF PROOF

first he missed with surprising regular
ity; then suddenly. on one throw, the
loop descended over the goal
Phil drew in the string happily the
knot frightened, and ne pulled his nm
ger in as though it had been a horse
hc was laSsOing.
The chfdishness of this amusement
never cnce occurred to him. He must
have entertainment and he had found
II. Although ii was very primitive ii
served a purpose and kept him busy for
hours.
At length he grew tired and stretched
himself out on the hard floor. There
was absolutely nothing provided for
comfort.
Phil took off his coat. punched that
uP and used II for a pillow Then he
Law down on mis- side and tried to sleep.
His hip bone began to pain him sud
denly, and Daring realized that II would
be impossible TO rest IN that position.
So he rolled over IN his back, That
posture was far more comfortable.
Then the young fellow realized that
his eyes were OpSu, He shut them at
once. In a seccnd. they had popped
open. with his eyes closed in that
dark chamber sudden fear had taken
possession Of him.
He could not define it, but knew that
the sensation was frightful. Again lie
tried to close his eyes They few open
once more.
II seemed incredible to him that he
could not keep them shut. The dark
absolutely nothing with them open, but
the vague fears that possessed him
when they were closed were frlghttut-
So he Law for some time, staring
hlankly into the blackness- II was tor
ture. racking torture. He wanted TO
sleep, and vet was afraid to close his
eyes.
At length. he dozed of. But the
sleep was short and fitful, and n less
than two hours he awoke suddenly AM
found himself shivering from head 20
foot It was impossible to sleep long
or well on the cold floor
Not a sound penetrated the room
Nothing stirred. Il was maddening-
Phil Jumped 10 his feet suddenly and
cried out.
Then ne lost control of himself, spun
around and fell in heap on the floor.
When he recovered Daring pulled TIE
shOe-strOng from his pocket and start
ed the game agaiI. II was his only
salvation. He could keep his mind oe-
cupied in that way.
Phil turned and drank 1t in greedily.
The light disappeared as he did so and
all that was left to the prisoner was
the dull sense If enjoyment, which soon
cooled.
At the same time Daring had heard
a noise as though something had been
placed on the floor. Then Il came 20
him suddenly that he was thirsty and
hungry
That explained the light. Food and
water had been placed in his cell, and
the door had been abruptly closed after
the delivery
Phil crawIed on hands and knees to
the wall and then began a slow circuit
of #. looking for his meal
II was a great surprise 20 him when
he came upon It, There was big
pitcher, full of cold water. Phil seized
Il eagerly and drank deeply.
After that Daring groped around anG
found half a loaf Of bread. He tore
into that ravenously, and soon finished.
After another gulp OF water he looked
around for something more. But that
was all there was.
He remembered. with sickening sud
nenness. that prisoners in solitary con-
hnement were put on the bread and
water diet
Somewhat refreshed, he returned 10
his game. and was busy lassoing the
finger for an hour or more.
Again came that shaft CT light OAR
ing did not turn. 1t was unpleasant to
have the light removed so fIddenly. IN
stead he closed his eyes and sat still
There was the sound Of footsteps at the
door.
When Phil opened his ewes again all
was darkness. He hoped that this time
they had come with fooo more sub
stantial than bread and water.
Daring was just about 10 make an
other slow circuit Of the wall when he
stopped abruptly and crouched. in a lis
tening attitude.
lie heard deep brea thing and felt
vague presentiment that he was not
alone in the cell.
It seemed TO him that some huge an
imal had been thrown in with him He
could not understand and he remained
chilled a vague fear ciutcD ug him
Then the feeling slowly disappeared
and Phil was rapidly TeCC reTing from
his fright when another chill shot
through him.
Scratch
mr.. .o.,,,4 nae ,-.,aate3 II saa7,ad
as though a heavy shoe was scraping