Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-07-06

| count. 1t Is your last chance" ] hiss
ed. 1.-The road you were to take to-
night take. The death way Is for
you"
| He did not answer. His eyes were
| fixed on mine. his sword flashed with
mine II was to be a duel to the
death. We both knew that. He tried
to force me back toward the hole.
tried to make him change ground with
me- We neither of US succeeded. yet
he had the advantage. for the flicker
| ing torch was before me and spoiled
my sight somewhat Twice, thrice. he
made a sudden effort to finish the
matter, once almost breaking through
my guard. The point Of his weapon
touched my arm and the blood showed.
The count smiled. The next moment
had touched him, and there ensued
fierce encounter for few moments. !
succeeded in getting round him. Now
his back was toward the trap. the
torchlight In his eyes. The advantage
was with me. Whether 1t was the
light that troubled him or that his
courage failed him l do not know, but
he fought less freely Time after time
he only just managed to keep my point
from his breast, and unconsciously he
drew nearer to the hole. Once or twice
his eyes left mine for an instant-a
bad sign-but it did not make me care
less. Not for moment did / forget
the man with whom had to deal.
Suddenly he attacked me more fierce
1vv %ho, T han ~
utter between his teeth. Well could
! understand him. His schemes were
| ripe. Tomorrow Yadasara would be
his If only he could slay me. His
| workmanship was not equal to his
| ferocity, or perhaps he moderated my
| skill. / watched him. and ! grew
| calmer l waited until his heel was
at the edge of the trap. Now l pre-
pared to strike and end it. but once
| more he escaped me. He forced me
back across the dungeon until my foot
Touched the wall. and he laughed. 1t
was strange laugh, such as few men
laugh. for it ended in gurgling sigh,
almost like the sound pipe gives as
the last of the water runs out, for the
end had come My blade had passed
right through him. He threw up his
arms and staggered back. falling be
side the hole. | went to him.
HE Is dead"
| "Clintonw
| Daria was beside me.
MY love-" l said. kissing her, "for-
get that name for awhile. We will
60 ! know the road. The danger Is
over"
But you-you"-
81 am the count for tonight"
| / took the cloak from the dead man
and threw II around me. l took his
sword and put it on instead OF my
own, and l drew his hat well over my
eyes.
Here is the key" | said. drawing
1t from the cloak Stay. In case
they should enter the dungeon wheli
we are gone and should find that--n
would betray us
l took the dead man by his limp
arms and drew him 10 the edge of the
trap. Then | let him 90. and he sli,,
noiselessly out of sight.
Nov Gomez
Her arm was In mine and wa-
fitting the key In the losk when there
was roar of voices in the corridoi
without.
"vasca. The traitor. The traito,
Nasca!"
THE king" whispered Daria.
laundering knock came at the
door.
open in the kings name,
I'VE are lost" said Daria calmly.
| drew my sword aud threw off tba
cloak. AT least | might die lighting
Clinton. kiss me.
"Open, open." they shouted without
kiss me-"
| kissed her. one long kiss.
Now kill me-" she said
Perhaps the request pun the thought
into my head.
you do not fear death?"
No"
] pointed TO the trap.
"Only dead men take 1t. they say, and
lie still In the river bed. Yet one dead
man rose to the surface We might
rise alive. 1t is a poor chance, but If
death comes it will find us in each
others arms. 1t Is better than wait
ing for tomorrow"
She shuddered a little. Then she
took my hands.
II am ready she said
Quickly"
| sat down on the edge of the trap.
even on The spot where few moments
before the dead count had rested
'Sit beside me-" | said to Daria
Now put your arms round me so.
now your feet between mine. so. Do
not struggle. To fall straight is our
only chance. My darling. love you.
| love YOU"
Our lips met.
1T is time. In another moment the
door viii be in