The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-11
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 I SILVER U A Romance 7 Of DrWssemlaaa@
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CHAPTER xxv.

L \ uttered no sound as we went lz=%zTSA downward. slowly at first, g&. but quickening our pace al- most imnediately. I felt her arms tighten round me little. that was all.
 We so held each other that practical ly we fell extended to full length. do not remember whether I was con scious of striking the top of the rocky incline or ne1s te6t sbelieKs1 was. We must have struck 1t at an angle which saved our limbs was conscious of being still whole in body. My arm pro- tected Daria's head. My own. sup pose, I had sense enough to raise a little. The way was rough and un- even. have thought since that this shaft was originally a stratum of soft CT material in the heart of the rock and that those who had originally made this death way had followed it.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 It is the only explanation can find for the fact that after falling almost sheer for the first few feet it should suddenly change.
 Down-down faster and faster! Still feet first. I believe Some moments I feel sure I was conscious. al. others I was, not I seem to remember that
 
 got into my fast closed eyes. I seemed to cling closer to Daria as if in some way she were protecting me. I seem to remember hearing the sound of the swir1ing water coming nearer and nearer until 1t roared like continuous thunder. and then swift plunge to death. $ s1i %
 Then came blank. have no recoI- lection whatever of what happened from the moment we plunged into the water until 1 awoke suddenly out of a faint. it may have been to feel a cold wind upon my face and to draw into my lungs half a dozen long breaths of it. They were drawn in rapid succession. and then [ felt the water close over my head again. I put out my arms to struggle, and weight began to slip from me I was fully conscious in 8 moment and closed one arm again only just in time to pre- vent Dar1a slipping from my grasp. I turned upon my back and with consid- erable difficulty shifted Daria's posi- tion until she lay upon my chest With one hand steadied her and with the other and my legs I 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. I had but to keep af1oat and steer myself with my free arm and feet. I approached close to the bank. and there. strafning at the painter, was a boat, the water tapping noisily from it's bows.
 had to use force to uncIasp Daria's arms from my neck. Perhaps hurt her a little. for she sighed again. Sx%or,s7sw.~r @4,< xza%o- Is4+.r7 I,1,. Sy,E, the boat. then, working my hands along the gunwaIe to the stern, I got fin myself It 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 I time to attend to DaTa- seized the oars and worked hard to get across. making slow headEax- but drifting great deal. W
 Of immediate pursuit had no fear. Probably they would not go to my dungeon until the morning. It was Count Vasca they sought. and those who attempted to follow after him, even if they knew tine way he was to take. would have to fight their way out of the city, ,O,Ryan. 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 tsuc- cess with which the count had arrang- ed his plans should be the means of our safety.
 I lifted Daria from the boat and laid her on the bank Then let the boat go downstream It had served me well It would be i'll if it's presence should tell tales of me at dawn tonor- row
 Then looked to Daria. and even as bent over her she opened her eyes.
 My love-" I whispered. i've are wafe1
 I should never have reached the woods had had to carry her all the way She reused up presently. which ls hardly to be wondered at, what with the cold and the jolting.
 I set her on her feet She must have been less bruised than I, for she walk cd more easily than did.
 'sClintOnv'
 sDarfar'
 We went on in silence, our hands elaspeds The rest of the journey to the zoodcutters hut she helped me far
 
 fallen from sheer exhaustion and slept had she not been with me
 t'C1fnton. there is some one in the woods close to us," Daria whispered suddenly
 was alert in a moment Approach ing danger aroused me as nothing else could
 There was a shout
 ssvascar'
 For one moment I hesitated. Then answered, "O'Ryang'
 There was a cracking of the branch es, and the Ir1shman stood in the path before us-
 You have been long,"
 We are here" I answered.
 .sWhy- man. that is not like your voice. What has happened?'' And he caught hold of me. Wet too. The hf5af xwas there ''