Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-06-29


the end OF II, then feeling the wall. not
to miss the opening I sought TOR.
Hand over hand. then my feet dan
Cling below me-there was no more
rome. For an instant l felt inclined to
let 20 and fall to death. SO ending my
troubles. Then I went up hand over
hand in desperate haste. and. having
got the rope between my knees again.
I hung, swinging, and steadied myself
to think Either had missed the hole
or Organ was mistaken: the rope was
not long enough. Perhaps 1t was be-
cause the first solution was the most
acceptable that believed 1t to be the
correct one. took courage and
climbed upward. stretching my legs to
right and left searching for the hole.
might have missed 1t even then had
listen intently. Yes: it was distinct
from the kissing of the water below
me. the murmur of a mans voice.
Was it above me in the dungeon I had
escaped from? If so. had only to wait
a few moments should feel the rope
terked. or else 1t would be cut. and so
an end to me- hung. waiting. and
still in dull monotone the voice went
on. Suddenly a little below me and to
my left the rocky wall seemed to grow
luminous. pickering light that shone
for a moment. then died. then shone
again.
lis that good way out of life?"
The voice sounded low. vet the
words were distinct. The light flicker
ed and then slowly went out low
cred myself to the level where 1: had
been and then. holding the rope With
one nand, worked my way along tnt
face of the wall with the other /
made slow progress. but presently i
grasped the side Of the slip. Cautiously
After some minutes succeeded III
finding 1t. but ii was. If anything. III
a sharper angle than the slip from my
dungeon. How to get footing upon
1t was matter for consideration. Az
1t was. had to hold ON to the side of
the slip to prevent the rope swinging
back with me. for instead Of being
had led me to suppose. this opening
was good ten feet to one side OF
1t. Fortunately the walls of 1t were
rough hewn. and. clinging to the rope
| with my knees and feet. | managed to
drag myself inward with my hands.
my nails and fingers suffering in the
| operation. By letting the rope slide
between my knees gradually as I ad-
vanced brought myself to the fiooi
some feet from the edge Of the slip
chose the spot and then dropped
forward on my hands and knees. The
released rope swung back and was
gone. There was no return now. l
had dropped very cautiously, and all
my energy had been conferred on whist
was doing. Now l was aware that
above me, at the top Of the steep as
cent. there was light Organ had
not deceived me. The trap in the dun
geon was open.
There was a pillar in the middle Of
the dungeon, supporting the low vault
ed roof. and In ring in the pillar a
torch was fixed. A breeze from the
open trap caught the fame. making
1t flicker weirdly and cast strange
shadows. On a couch at the foot of
the pillar sat Daria, her hands clasped
in her lap. She hardly seemed to
listen to Vasca. who was standing
close to her. talking rapidly.
II have been ambitious. l have de-
ceived you. l crave your pardon. |
have not done it for myself alone.
have done 1t for you. My love has
spurred me on. They would make me
king. 1t has been your ambition to
reign in Yadasara. Now your ambi-
ton may be realized"
you are not king"
Tonight: no. tomorrow He broke
OF excitedly. Say that you will be
queen of Yadasara. my queen. and
now. this instant, this dungeon door
is open to you. In few hours you
shall have the nation at your feet
craving your favors. Your word shall
bring death or grant life. Your will
shall be law in Drussenland and he
who speaks the humblest yet the hap.
piest Of your slaves"
"A pleasing prospect most easily
spoken Of" fEH
1T is true Tomorrow at this time
l shall be king. The last obstacle is
oyerthrown." a