The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-07-06
-O
. THE
| SILVER
| A Romance
| OF DuWssemDam@
O
CHAPTER XIV.

uttered no sound as we went
downward, slowly at FIRST,
but quickening our pace al
most Immediately. felt her arms
tighten round me little. that was all
We 30 held each other that practical
~ we fell extended TO full length. I
do not remember whether I was con-
scious of striking the top of the rocky
incline or not, but I believe was. We
must have struck It at an angle which
saved our limbs. l was conscious Of
being still whole in body. My arm pro-
tected Daria's head. My own. sup
pose, had sense enough to raise a
little. The way was rough and I'M
even. ! have thought since that this
shaft was originally stratum Of soft.
er material In the heart Of the rock
and that those who had originally
made this death way had followed It.
since the working was easy. 1t il the
only explanation I can find for the
fact that after falling almost sheer for
the first few feet It should suddenly
change.
Downtown faster and faster! Still
feet 6rst. I believe. Some moments l
feel sure was conscious. at others
was not I seem to remember that
our speed increased. that loose dust
got into my fast closed eyes. l seemed
to cling closer TO Daria as II In some
way she were protecting me. seem
to remember hearing the sound Of the
swirling water coming nearer and
nearer until IL roared like continuous
thunder. and then swift plunge to
death.
Then came a blank I have no recol
lection whatever Of what happened
from the moment we plunged into the
water until I awoke suddenly out Of
a faint. 1t may have been. to feel a
cold wind upon my face and TO draw
into my lungs half dozen long
breaths of IT, They were drawn IN
rapid succession. and then / felt the
water close over my head again. I
put out my arms to struggle. and q
weight began TO slip from me. l was
fully conscious In moment and closed
one arm again only just In time to pre-
vent Daria slipping from my grasp. |
turned upon my back and with consid
cradle difficulty shifted Daria's posi-
ton until she lay upon my chest With
one hand steadied her and With the
other and my legs ! struck out for
shore CLOSE beside the rock
Fortunately for us the waters on this
side. though running rapidly. had no
swirllng current in them. | had bur
to keep ailoat and steer myself with
my free arm and feet approached
close 10 the hank. and there. strainine
Mt the painter. was boat. the water
tapping noisiy from it's bows
had 10 use force TO unclasp Daria's
arms from my neck. Perhaps hurt
her little. for she sighed again
Standing in the wafer. lifted her into
the boat. then. working my hands
along the gunwale TO the stern. got
In myself Ii was n comparatively
easy matter TO wrench the rope from
its fastening on the hank. and the next
moment W. were drifting sharply
down the stream. Not yet bad time
and worked hard 10 get across. making
slow Roadway. but drifting a great
deal
or immediate pursuit | had no fear
Probably they would not 60 to my
dungeon until the morning. 1t was
Count vasra they sought. and those
who attempted to follow after him,
even n they knew the way he was to
take. would have TO tigbt their way
out 81 the city O'Ryan had told me
that friends were watching over the
COUNTS safety that night That some
one had betrayed Nasca would prob
ably only precipitate the revolution
by few hours. Strange that the sue
cess with which the count had arrang-
our safety.
lifted Daria from the boat and laid
her on the bank. Then | let the boat
go downstream II had served me
well. II would be III If its presence
should tell tales of me at dawn tomor.
row.
Then looked TO Daria, and even as
bent over her she opened her eyes
my love" whispered, I'VE are
safe"
/ should never have reached the
woods had | had 10 carry her all the
way. She reused up presently which
Is hardly to be wondered at what with
the cold and the iolting.
set her on her feet. 6 must have
been less bruised than |, for she walk
ed more easily than did.
"ClintonW
"Dariar
We went on In silence, our hands
clasped. The rest Of the Journey to
the woodcutters hut she helped me far
more than helped her. should have
fallen from sheer exhaustion and slept
had she not been with me.
Clinton. there is some one In the
woods close to u.s." Daria WHISPERED