The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-09-19
CHAPTER xxxlu.-(continued)

CHAPTER ExxlII.-(continued.)
Here, for the time concealed was
he safe; none followed, and, leaning
against the damp blocks Of masonry,
breathing hard, as man weak from
fatigue, loss of blood, he sought to
recover his strength 1t returned only
too slowly; the passing lassitude an
noyed him; for the moment he forgot
he had but recently come from the
dungeon and the hardships that sap
tent to move on.
Several moments he yet stood.
breathing deep; then, starting away,
-, set himself to the task Of crossing
the vast stretch of beach between the
Mount and the distant lights of a ship.
The sandy plain had never seemed
so interminable; before him, his shad-
ow and that of my lady danced ever
iliusively away; behind, the great rock
gave forth a hundred shooting flames.
while, as emblematic Of the demolition
of SO much that was beautiful, higher
than saint with helpless sword on ca
thedral top, a cloud of smoke belched
ups waved sidewise like a monstrcus
funeral plume A symbol, it seemed
to fin the sky; to move and nod and
fiaunt its ominous blackness from this
majestic outpost Of the land. Walk
ing in vivid crimson glow, the Black
Seigneur gazed only ahead, where now,
on that monotonous desert, the rim
OF the sea on a sudden obtruded. As
he advanced, sparkles red as rubies-
laughing lights-leaped in the air; at
the came time a seething murmur
broke upon the stiffness.
Toward those ieaping bright points
and the source Of that deep-sounding
cadence, the young man stumbled for
ward more rapidly. less cautiously,
also, Il may be; for while he was yet
some distance from the waters rim,
his feet fell on sand that gave way
beneath them. He would have sprung
back, but felt himself sinking; strove
to get out, only to settle the deeper!
The edge of the lise, with safety be-
You'd, we'll he could see, where the
satin4ike smoothness Of the treacher-
GUS slough merged into a welcome
silk-iike shimmering of the trustwor-
thy sands. That verge, however, was
remote; out Of reach Of effort of his
to attain; his very endeavors caused
him to become the more firmly imbed-
ded. Had he cast my lady aside, pos
sibiy could he have extricated him
self; but with her. an additional
weight, weighing him down
Loudly he called out; only the sea
answered. Now were the clinging par
ticles at his waist; he lifted my lady
higher; clear Of them! Once more
raised his voice-this time not In vain!
Mon capitaine! Where are you"
"Herei"
I'VE don't see you"
you won't soon, unless"
The end of line struck the sand.
Tho night had almost passed; its
last black hour, like a pail, lay over
the sea. where, far from the Mount. a
ship swayed and tossed. In the mar
row confines of her masters cabin, the
faint glimmering of lamp revealed
a man bending over a paper, yellow
and worn; the lines 80 faint and deli
cate. they seemed almost to escape
him!
How strange after all these years. the
sight OF your handwritingl-and now, to
be writing youl Yet is 1t meet-to say
FAREWELL For that which you have heard.
mon ami. is true. I am going to die. You
say, you heard I was not WELL I answer
what really you heard; the question. mon
ami. beneath wOrdSl And
dying. II is we'll with me. I have wronged
no soul on earth-except you. my friend.
and you forgive me. had hoped
the years would efface that old memory
You say they have not. I. II Is wise
you are going away.
The reader paused; listened to the