The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-02-09

shutting him In with his fate, and
the one embrasure in the wall, which,
while 1t admitted light and air, and
gave a limited view of the wooded
hills beyond. was too narrow to admit
OF more than an arm between its
sides. The floor was likewise of
stone-huge blocks, which must have
been swung into place by the aid OF
machinery. The ceiling was high
above his reach, and arched as though
to support a floor above. The only
furniture was a miserable pallet of
straw in one corner behind the door.
Bare walls and grim death!
He walked to the window and
looked out.
His eyes caught the flutter OF a
dress in the edge OF the wood. AS
he watched, 1t came cautiously out
into the opening.
1t was Senorita Carlotta!
His heart gave bound at sight OF
her. She had not forgotten him and
must have learned his doom. else why
was she on this side OF tho castle?
But how could she help Ma.
She waved her hand to him en-
couragingly, and then disappeared.
He waited. A half-hour passed,
and his falling hope was again
aroused at sight of her in the edge of
the wood.
She held up in her hand a small
piece of paper and indicated, by signs,
that 1t was intended as a communica-
ton for him.
He removed his boot, took of the
sock and held 1t out through the
opening in the wall. The movement
met with a nod of assent and a smile
Of appreciation.
- But little time was required to un-
ravel the necessary length. Then, at
taching a bit of mortar to one end Of
the line, he lowered 1t carefully
through the embrasure.
The senorita glided swiftly to the
foot OF the wall, and a moment later
he felt slight jerk at the lower end
OF the line.
He pulled 1t in slowly, and soon
held in his hand the tiny note, and
likewise a queer-looking instrument,
shaped not unlike an ordinary table
knife, but much thinner, and having
a square end, curiously notched like
wards Of a key.
Unfolding the accompanying note
he read:
Insert the blade to half 1t length,
with its back toward the embrasure.
In the seam in the floor directly be-
meath the hinge of the door. Move
1t backward until 1t meets with an OBJ
struction. and then press strongly
downward. Do this at midnight.
CARLOTTA."
He looked out through the window,
and beheld her standing within the
shadow of the forest; he kissed his
hand to her, receiving an answering
wave Of her hand. Then she disap-
peared.
He could scarcely restrain his I'm
patience. He listened at the embra-
sure and counted the strokes as each
hour was measured OF into the eter-
nifty of the past by the solemn-voiced
bell in the old church tower in the
town below.
Midnight found him watchful and
anxious. AS the notes of the bell
smote upon the air be stepped back
to the iron door, and felt for the seam
in the floor beneath it's hinge.
Inserting the blade of the knife
and moving it along, as directed,
until 1t would go no further, he
pressed 1t downward He felt q
slight yielding under the pressure,
and then the block Of stone on which
he knelt sank slowly beneath his
weight. He sprang from 1t to the
centre of the apartment, alarmed lest
he should be precipitated into an un-
known depth below.
All was dark within the cell Ap-
preaching the spot cautiously he
found the floor again unbroken in its
surface. The movable stone had re-
turned to its place.
He repeated the operation with the
knife blade. this time determined to
remain on the stone. 1t went stead
lily downward how far he had no
means of judging correcting, but he
thought at least fifty feet; which dis
lance would carry him twenty feet
below the base of the tower.
Then II stopped. and he felt out
ward with his hands On three sides
was damp. Shiny rock. On the fourth
was an opening large enough to admit
him in stopping position. He
stepped into It. and the stone com
menced to ascend.
Nothing remained now but to feel
his way forward No fate could be
worse than the one from which he
was fleeing. IL was slow and tedious
that journey through the under
ground passago-and Il was fifteen
minutes from the time OF entering
the passage ere he emerged from the
further end.
To HIS surprise, he found himself
on the bank Of the Rio Grande, and,
moored at his feet, was a small boat.
with oars.
a light football caused him TO
draw back quickly; but a second
glance told him 1t was Senorita Car
lotta herself
with one hand she pointed to the
boat. while the forehnger Of the other
was pressed upon her lips. The star
light told him this much.
He took the outstretched hand IN
both OF hts and pressed It to his lips.
II owe you my life he whispered
II will not forget IT,"
He released her hand, and without
a word she was gone
He entered the boat and pushed of
Into the water, keeping within the
shadow Of the trees along the shore
until a half mile above the town.