The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-12-26

-Oni I suppose wen rave 10 axe
Care of Him!"
bank, who had been cycling his pro-
spective host not without visible
signs of misgiving, reluctantly entered.
But as he did so, he looked back;
toward the soldier who had displayed
half-friendly interest in the play.
"1f you care to know more about the
piece" he began, when the maledic-
lions and abuse of the misshapen
keeper put stop to further CONVEX
sation and sent the mountebank post
haste into the darkness Of the cavern
like hall interesting the ground floor
On either side closed doors, vaguely
discerned, limited at the secrets of the
chambers they guarded; the atmos-
phere dark and close, proclaimed the
sunlight long a stranger there. At the
end of the hall the dwarf, who had
walked with the assurance of one well
acquainted with that musty interior
and all 1t contained, paused; shot
sharply bolt and threw open a door.
hS lOllOll w as O4lt llcil III Il (LOl uS
of hoarse voices from within, and the
little man stayed not on the order Of
his going, but, thrusting the mounte-
bank across the threshold, leaped
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 shook their fists threateningly
and eXecrated in no uncertain man
per. A few, formerly spectators of his
little play, inclined again to vent their
humor on him, but he regarded them
as if 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 q squally gust soon blows itself
out, so their temper, mercurial, did
not long endure from a ragged coat
one produced dice, another cards, and,
although there We're few sous to eX-
change hands, the hazard of tossing
aud shutting exercised its usual
charm and held them. The minutes
wore away; motionloss in his corner,
the mOuntebank now watched: then
with his head on his elbow, seemed
sunk in thought Once he rose; stood
on his stool and looked out between
tho hno1ry- hor Of 4
Not much chance to get out that
way" observed a fellow prisoner.
What did you see?"
Only chasm in the sands"
THE sands!" said the man Cursed
the day | set foot on them!"
To this maledction the other did
not answer; stepped 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 mountebank suffered no
sign of Impotence or concern to
escape him; only more alertly looked
and listened-to a night bird cleav-
ing the air without; to muttered
sounds, thieves patois, or snatches of
ribald mirth within and. ere long, to
new complainings
Our supper! What of our supper"
"The foul fiend take the auberge des
voleurs and it's landlord?"
"Vrai dieu! Here he comes!" as
the footsteps were heard without.
and the door, opening, revealed, in.
deed, in the rushlight, now dimly illu-
minating the hall, the hunchback,
not laden, however, with the longed-
for creature comforts, but empty
handed; at his back the commandant
and number of soldiers.
You fellow with the dolls," Blink
ing in the glare of the torches, the
dwarf peered in. Where are you?
Come alongl" as the mountebank
rose, you are wanted"
'Wanted?" repeated the player,
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 MANI" The
commandaut frowned and made an
impatient gesture. Come, bestir your
self! The Governors daughter has
commanded your presence"
(To be continued)
Our Christmas goods will be some
thing new. Don't buy until you have
| span them T. q HyIa - A dvartica.