The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-10
s3s T HE I SILVER
 I A Romance { Of DrwssemDam@
nsnntis,,,sRH

NConf1nue&.4
 must have traversed nearly the RSsy feet of rope, yet my feet had aI- ways met the wall. had come to no other hole, no other slip joining the main shaft. Hand over hand went down. first feeling the rope with my feet to make certain that was not at the end of it, then feeling the wall, not to miss the opening I sought for. Hand ,over hand, then my feet dan xling below me-there was no more rope For am instant felt inclined to let go and fall to death, so ending nay troubles Then I went up hand over hand in desperate haste, and, having got the rope between my knees again, hung. swinging, and steadted myself to think Either had missed the hole or O'Ryan was mistaken; the rope was not long enough Perhaps 1t was be- cause the first solution was the most acceptable that believed it to be the correct one. I took courage and climbed upward, stretching my legs to right and left searching for the hole. I might have missed it even then had not heard a sound that made me listen 1nt@nt1y. Yes; 1t was distinct from the hisGtng of the water below me- the murn1uY of a mans voice. Was ih above me in the dungeon had escaped fron7 If so, [ had only to wait a few moments. I should feel the rope 5erked, or else it would bercut, and so Mn end Do ma I hung, waiting, and BtEa In dull monotone the voice went pn Suddenly little below me and to my left the rocky wall seemed to grow luminous. H1c1srang light that slnone for a moment, then died, then ahone mRAan-
 ''TB that good way out of 11fe9"
 The voace sounded low, yet the 4 words were distinct The light flicker ed and then slowly vent out. I low cred myself to tho level where it had bssn mmd tnens holding the rope with Dno hand, worked my way along the face of the wall with the other. I made slow progress. but presently I Ernspsd the side of the slip. Cautiously M felt for the door of fl with my foot. After some minutes I succeeded in finding 1t. but it was, if anything, at M sharper angie than the slip from my dungeon How to get a footing upon Mt was a matter for consideration AS At was, had to hold on to the side of the slip to prevent the rope swinging back with me, for instead of being directly under my dungeon, as O'Ryan had led me to suppose, this opening was good ten feet to one side of Ht- Fortunately the walls of it were rough hewn, and, clfngdng to the rope with my knees and feet, managed to drag myself inward with my hands, my nails and fingers suffering in the operation By letting the rope slide between my knees gradually as ad- vanced I brought myself to the floor some feet from the edge of the slip. TIT a.r Forward on my hands and knees. The released rope swung back and was gone. There was no return now. had dropped very cautiously, and all my energy had been centered on what H was doing. Now I was aware that above me. at the top of the steep. as- cent, there was q light. O'Ryan had mot deceived me. The trap in the dun geon was open.
 There was a pillar in the middle of Ehe dungeon, supporting the low vault ed roof, and in . ring fin the pillar q torch was fixed A breeze from the open trap caught the flame. making At flicker weirdly and cast strange shadows. On a couch at the foot of the pillar sat Daria, her hands claSped En her lap. She hardly seemed to aisten to vasca, who was standing Glose to her. talking rapidly.
 1T hays been ambitious. have de- reived you. crave your pardon. I have not done 1t for myself alone. have done it for you My love has mpurred me on. They would make me king. It has been your ambition to reign i'm Yadasara. Now your ambi- aon may be realized"
 %You are not king"
 Tonight; nos tomorrowss-- He broke Dm excitedly.. .'Say that you win be queen of Yad4sAra, my queen. and now. this instant, this dungeon door 1s open to you. In a few hours you shall have the nation at your feet craving your favcrs. Your word shall bring death OF grant life. Your will Bha11 be 1a~ in DrusBenland and he EvH1o speaks the humb1est yet the hap pfest of your slaves"
 "A pleasing prospect most easily wpcExen of
 Tt fs true. Tomorrow at this time 1T shall be king The last obstacle Is loverthrown."