The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-15

Continued from yesterday
When night came they were high
I'm the mountains back of the monas-
terry. many hours ahead of any pur-
suit. They became stupidity careless,
and the two grooms made dash for
freedom. One of them was killed, but
one had escaped.
Some time during the slow. tortur-
Ing ride through the forest she swoon-
ed. When she came to her senses she
was in dimly lighted room. surround
ed by men. The gag had been re-
moved from her mouth. She would
have shrieked out in her terror had
not her gaze rested upon the figure OF
a man who sat opposite. his elbows
on the back Of the chair which be
straddIed, his chin on his arms. lie
was staring at her steadily. his black
eyes catching her gaze aud holding 1t
as a snake holds the bird 1t has
charmed.
She recognized the hard. hawklike
face. There could be no mistake. She
was looking Into the face that made
the portrait Of the Iron Count so alb
horrent to her-the leathery head of
cadaver with eyes that lived. She
broke down and cried herself into the
sleep of exhaustion.
All the next day she sat limp and
helpless In the chair they had brought
to her. She could neither eat nor
drink Late in the afternoon Marlanx
came again. She knew not from
whence he came: lie stood before her
suddenly as II produced by the magic
of some tabled genie. smiling blandly.
his hands clasped behind his back. his
attitude one Of designing calculation.
HE laughed when / demanded that
he should restore me 10 my friends.
He chided me when pleaded and beg
ged for mercy. Ny questions were
never answered, Where am Mr..
King: Oh, this dreadful place! Why
are we here-you and IL"
Kings heart throbbed fiercely once
more. A vast hunger possessed his
soul. III that moment he could have
laid down his life for her with smile
Of rejoicing.
Then he told her why she was there.
why he was there and Of the o6th-the
dreadful 10th,
God In heaven" she repeated over
and over again In a plteous whisper.
The light was going out.
Quick he cried The candle!
Light fresh one. My hands are
bound
She Crept to the candles and Joined
the wicks. A new light grew as the
old one died Then she stood erect,
looking down upon him
"You are bound. | forgot
She started forward. dropping to her
knees beside him. an eager rsieam in
her eyes. If can unite the rope
will that help? There must be one
little chance for you-for us. Let me
try
by Jovc," he whispered admirinaIy,
his spirits leapns to meet hers. you've
got pluck. You put new life in me.
i was almost IA gutter"
At last, after many despairing tugs,
the knot relaxed There she cried.
sinking back exhausted "Oh. how it
must have hurt you! Your wrists are
raw!'
His arms were stiff and sore and
hung like lead at his sides. She watch
ed him with narrowed eyes while he
stood off and tried TO work blood and
strength back into his muscles.
'Do you think you can-can do any
thing now, Mr.. King: she asked after
a long interval I'VE must escape"
she said as II 1t were all settled.
1T cannot be tonight" be gently In
formed her. a sickness attacking his
heart. Don't you think you'd better
try to get some Sleep
He prevailed upon her to lie down,
with his coat for pillow. In two
minutes she was asleep.
For an hour or more he sat there
looking sorrowfully at the tired, sweet
face. the utmost despair in his soul
At last he stretched himself out on the
floor near the door. and as he went TO
sleep lie prayed that Providence might
open way for him to prove that she
was not depending on him in vain.