The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-12-08


tighten round me a little. that was all
We so held each other that practical
" we fell extended to full length
do not remember whether | was con-
scious of striking the top of the rocky
incline or not, but believe | was. We
must have struck 1t at an angle which
saved our limbs. | was conscious or
being still whole In body. My arm pro
tected Daria's head. My own. sup
pose. l had sense enough TO raise
little. The way was rough and I'M
even. l 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and that those who had originally
made this death way had followed it.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 is 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 first. l believe. Some moments
feel sure was conscious. at others
was not. | 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 it roared like continuous
thunder, and then a swift plunge to
death.
Then came a blank. | have no recol-
lection whatever of what happened
from the moment we plunged into the
water until | awoke suddenly out OF
q faint, it may have been. to feel
cold wind upon my face and to draw
into my lungs half a dozen long
breatbs of it They were drawn in
rapid succession. and then | felt the
water close over my head again.
put out my arms to struggle, and
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-
cradle difficulty shifted Daria's posi-
ton until she lay upen my chest With
one hand / 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 afoat and steer myself with
my free arm and feet. | approached
close TO the bank. and there. straining
at the painter. was boat. the water
tapping noisily from its bows
| had to use force to unclasp Daria's
arms from my neck. Perhaps ! hurt
her a little. for she sighed again.
Standing in the water. lifted her into
the boat. then. working my hands
along the gunwale to the stern. l got
n myself 1t was a comparatively
easy matter to wrench the rope from
its fastening on the bank. and the next
moment we were drifting sharply
down the stream. Not yet had ! time
to attend to Daria / seized the oars
and worked hard TO get across. making
slow Roadway. but drifting great
deal
OF immediate pursuit | had no fear
Probably they would not go to my
dungeon until the morning 1t was
Count vasca they sought and those
who attempted to follow after him,
even If they knew the way he was to
take. would have TO fight their way
out of the city. Organ 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
by a few hours. Strange that the sue
cess with which the count had arrang-
ed his plans should be the means of
our safety.
| lifted Daria from the boat and laid
her on the bank. Then ! let the boat
20 downstream 1t had served me
well. Ii would be i'll If its presence
should tell tales of me at dawn tomor-
row.
Then l looked to Daria. and even as
/ bent over her she opened her eyes.
My love-" whispered. 1--WE are
safe"
should never have reached the
woods had had to carry her all the
way. She reused up presently. which
is hardly to be wondered at. what with
the cold and the jolting.
set her on her feet She must have
been less bruised than |. for she walk
ed more easily than / did.
Clinton
"DariaF'
We went on in silence. our hands
clasped The rest OF the journey TO
the woodcutter's 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
suddenly.
l was alert in a moment Approach
ing danger aroused me as nothing else
could
There was shout