The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-09

discerned, hinted at the secrets Of the
chambers they guarded; the atmos.
phere. dark and close. proclaimed the
sunlight long stranger there. At the
end OF tfo mai! the dwarf who had
walked with the assurance Of one we'll
acquainted with that musty interior
md all 1t contained. poused. shot
sharply 2 90. I'd 'nrnw open a door.
lie action Ma ,il. a.Gnal for a chorus
OF hoarse vcict3 from within, and the
littl" man stayad =, on the order OF
his going, hu. thr.sting the mounte-
bank across the threshold, leaned
nimbly back, slammed hard the door.
and locked It.
Cries Of disappointment and rage
followed, and, facing the company that
crowded the dingy little room almost
TO suffocation, the latest conner found
himself confronted BY unkempt people
who shock their fists threateningly
and execrated In no uncertain man.
ner. A few, formerly spectators of his
little play, inclined again to vent their
humor on him, but he regarded them
as II unaware Of their feeling; pushed
none too gently to tiny window. and.
depositing his burden on the stone
floor, seated himself on a stool with
his back to the wall.
AS a squal!y gust soon blows itself
out, so their temper, mercurial, did
not long endure; from a ragged coat
cne produced dice, another cards. and.
although there We're few sous to ex.
change hands. the hazard Of tossing
aud shufIling exercised it's usual
charm and held them. The minutes
wore away; rlotionless in his corner.
the mountebank now watched: then
with hiA head on his elbow, seemed
sunk In thought. Once he rose: stood
on his stool and looked out between
the heavy bars Of the narrow window.
mot much chance to get out that
way" observed a fellow prisoner.
What did yol see?"
Only a chs.sm in the sands"
The sands" said the man. Cursed
the day set foot on them!"
TO this malediction the other did
not answer; ntepped down and, again
seated In his corner, waited, while the
light that had grudgingly entered the
narrow aperture grew fainter. With
the growing darkness the atmosphere
seemed to become closer. more foul:
but although he breathed with diff.
Guilty, the n,ountebank suffered no
sign OF imIatience or concern to
escape him; only more alertly looked
and iistened--to night bird cleav.
ing the air without; to muttered
sounds. thieves patois. or snatches OF
ribald mirth within; and, ere long. to
new complairlings.
Our supper! What Of our supper?"
The foul fsnd take the auberge des
voleurs and Its landlord?"
"Vrai dieu! Here he comes!" az
the footsteps we're heard without.
And the do>r. opening, revealed, in.
deed. In the rushlight, now dimly illu.
minating the hall. the hunchback.
not laden. however, with the loneed-
ior creature comforts, but empty.
handed; 1T his back the commandant
and q numbec of soldiers.
You fellow with the dolls!" Blink.
Ing In the glare Of the torches. the
dwarf peered In. Where arc you?
Come along" as the mountebank
rose. you arc wanted"
Wanted" repeated the plavar
stepping forward. "Where?"
AT the palace" said the comman.
dant
"The palace!" stopping short. who
can want me there?"
"Who?" The dwarf made grimace.
"Who?" he repeated mockingly.
Her ladyship." said the command
ant, with a reproving glance at the
jailer.
Her ladyship!"
Haven't you ears, my man?" The
commandant frowned and made an
impatient gesture. Come, bestir your.
self! The Governors daughter has
commanded your presence"