The Calumet news., 1911-04-15

v1-=.ky but quickening our pace al
most Immediately. felt her arms
tighten round me little. that was all.
We so held each other that practical
ly we fell extended to full length. |
do not remember whether | was con-
scious OF striking the top of the rocEy
incline or not. but 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, l sup
pose. had sense enough to raise a
little. The way was rough and un-
even. 1 have thought since that this
shaft was originally n stratum of soft
er material In the heart of the rock
and that those who had originally
made this death way had followed II,
since the working was easy. 1t is the
only explanation 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 first, / believe. Some moments l
feel sure | was conscious, at others l
was not l seem to remember that
our speed increased, that loose dust
got into my fast closed eyes. seemed
to cling closer to Daria as If 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 a swift plunge to
death.
Then came blank. have no recol-
lection whatever of what happened
from the moment we plunged into the
water until | awoke suddenly out of
a faint, ii may have been, to feel
cold wind upon my face and to draw
into my lungs half dozen long
breaths of II. They were drawn in
rapid succession. and then felt the
water close over my head again.
put out my arms to struggle. and a
weight began to slip from me- | 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-
erable difficulty shifted Daria's posi-
ton until she lay upon my chest. With
one hand I steadied her and with the
other and my legs l struck out for
shore close beside the rock.
Fortunately for us the waters on this
side, though running rapidly. had no
swirling current in them. / had but
to keep afloat and steer myself with
m I
close to the bank, and there, straining
at the painter. was boat. the water
tapping noisily from fits bows.
had to use force to unclasp Daria's |
arms from my neck. Perhaps | hurt |
her little, for she sighed again. !
Standing in the water. lifted her into !
the boat, then, working my hands
In myself. 1t was n comparatively |
easy matter to wrench the rope from
its fastening on the bank. and the next |
we were drifting sharply 4
down the stream. Not yet had time |
to attend to Daria. / seized the oars |
and worked hard to get across, making |
slow headway, but drifting a great
deal.
OF immediate pursuit had no fear.
Probably they would not go to my
dungeon until the morning. II was
Count Vasca they sought and those
who attempted to follow after him,
even IL they knew the way he was to
take, would have to fight their way II
out of the city. O'Ryan had told me
that friends were watching over the
counts safety that night That some
one had betrayed Vasca would prob
ably only precipitate the revolution II
by few hours. Strange that the sue
cess with which the count had arrang-
ed his plans should be the means of
our safety.
i lifted Daria from the boat and laid
her on the bank. Then / let the boat III
go downstream. 1t had served me
well. 1t 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-" I whispered, 1--WE are
safe"
should never have reached the
woods had l had TO carry her all the
way. She reused up presently, which
s hardly TO be wondered at, what with
he cold and the jolting.
! set her on her feet. She must have
been less bruised than I. for she walk
d more easily than did. III
"Clintonw
"Dariap'
We went on I'm silence. our hands
'lasped. The rest OF the journey to
he woodcutter's hut she helped me far
more than helped her. should have
allen from sheer exhaustion and slept
lad she not been with me.
"Clinton. there is some one In the
woods close to u.s." Daria whispered
I was alert in n moment Approach
ne danger aroused me as nothing else
ould.
There was a shout
"vascar'
For one moment I hesitated. Their
nswered, "O'Ryanw
- 1ao hro n. /