Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-02-23

SRSA4 a 0A& eSh
his pocketknife. AS nearly as he could
determine by the sense of touch 1t was
seven o'clock. Bessie Wallingham
would be wondering by this time why
he had broken an engagement with her
for the second time that day.
There is one thing more to do" he
said. 1T is seven o'clock; l don't know
how much longer we shall be able to
breathe easily, and l am going to write
a note which will explain matters to
the persons who findSus-if we should
not happen to be ablato tell them"
Laboriously he penciled on the back
of an old envelope the explanation OF
their presence there, making a com
plete and careful charge against Alca-
trante. He laid the message on the
floor.
On second thought, he picked 1t up
again and put 1t in his pocket, for IL
by any chance they should be rescued,
he might forget it. In that event its
discovery would possibly bring an ex-
posture of facts which the girl and her
father would not care to have dis
| closed.
A faint whisper from the girl.
What is it," he asked, bending
tenderly for her answer.
You must lie down, too"
He began to move away, as II to
obey her.
NO" she whispered-"here. want
you neal me-"
Slowly he reclined and laid his head
on the coat. Her warm breath was on
his face, He felt for her hand, and
found it held tightly to his.
His own mind was still torn with
doubts as to the best course. Should
he put himself out of the way that she
might live? The sacrifice might prove
unnecessary. Rescue might come when
it was too late for him, yet not too
late, If he did not hurry his W end.
And if she truly loved him and knew
that she loved him, such an act on his
part would leave her a terrible grief
which time would harly cure.
He tried to analyze their situation
more clearly, to throw new light on his
duty. The clerks must all have gone
by now. There would be a visit or two
from a night Waterman, perhaps, but
there was scarcely one chance in q
hundred that he would unbolt the
door.
The air was vitiating rapidly; they
could not both live through the night
Buff she loved him as he loved her
she would be happier to die with hin
than to live at the cost Of his life.
He pictured for himself again tina
: last look of her face; it's beauty, it
, strength, its sweet sympathy, HI
, seemed to see the stray wisp of hal
that had found its way down upon he
, cheek. Her perfect lips-how we'll h
, Observation-Disclosures the %unopene'
, buds of pure womanly passion.
After all, whether she loved him o
l not, there would still be much in lif
for her.
, Time would cure her sorrow. Their
r would be many claims upon her, an
t she would sooner or later resume he
normal activities.
Slowly he disengaged his hand fIon
her clinging fingers. In his other nan
he still held his pocketknife. To opel
y a vein in his wrist would take but
moment. His life would well away
there on the tiles.
She would think he al asleep; an
then she herself would drift away int
Inconsistencies which would be brt
ken only after the door was opened i
the morning.
Bah! His mind cleared in a flasl
What a fool he was! Need he dout
her for an instant? Need he questio
what she would do when she foun
that he was dead? And she woul
know it quickly. This living pulsin
girl beside him loved him!
J They we're one forever. They sti
lived, and while they lived they mus
hope. And If hope failed, there sti
would be love.
His pent-up emotions broke restrain
With unthinking swiftness, he tire
his arm over her and drew her tight
him. His lips found hers in a Ion
kiss-clung in ecstasy for another, an
another.
Her arms went about his neck. H
felt as though her soul had passed frol
hor lins to his own
"My lover!" she whispered. II thin
| have always cared"
ooh, Girl, Girl" He could utter I
more.
With a faint sigh she said: Il a
glad 1t Is to be together" She sat u
still holding his hand. eff it need
at ALL" she added, a new firmness
her voice.
IF it need be at ALI" Orme searche
his mind again for some promise of e
cape from this prison which had bee
so suddenly glorified for them. I'll
smooth, unbreakable walls; the tn
seam of the door; the thermomete
Why had he not thought of 1t befor,
The thermometer!
= With an exclamation, he leaped
his feet.
2 what is it?" she cried.
a IA chance! A small chance-b
n still a chance!"
: He found his way to the handle
. the door, which his first attempt
G had taught him was not ca