The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-11-27

around TO cover 0er DTeHSJ WIFI uOu-
BILE fold. and with a length Of line l
had in my pocket | made 1t fast. We
sat close together and talked In low
whispers, and | thrilled at the contact
of her sweet presence in spite of our
peril
How long we talked or how long
we waited have no means Of telling
1t grew dark in the cave very early,
and when | ventured into the outside
room after what seemed an intermin-
able wait, found night had fallen.
felt pretty sure that we need appre-
hend no attack that night, and yet it
was necessary to keep watch. so |
proposed that one of us should sleep
while the other listened. Naturally
she was the first to take rest 1t was
too damp and cold to lie down on the
sand. so | wedged myself against one
Of tie least rotted of the chests, whose
shape had been kept intact by the
pile of gold and silver bars, and some.
what hesitatingly offered her the shell
ter of my arms.
Madam" | said, with all the for
mality | could muster. you must have
sleep. You cannot lie upon this damp
sand. and it is bad enough to sit upon
it. but upon my shoulder and within
the support of my arms you shall have
rest ! swear to YOU
Swear not" she replied, coming
closer to me. II trust you, and if
am to sleep know that | will be safe
within your arms"
-. AAI
mother, were she here. will l support
you" said l. =.
Before she closed her eyes she made
her evening prayer for herself and for
me, and then she made me promise
that | would awaken her when
judged it to be midnight, and, upon my
promise. without more to do she
nestled down and went to sleep. her
head upon my shoulder
Surely. never had man a greater com
pliment paid him than | by that maid
that night.
sat there motionless. my barred
sword at my side, listening. l could
hear nothing no sound except her soft
breathing and once in awhile the
sough Of the night wind through the
trees outside. which penetrated family
into the cave. and at infrequent inter
walls the cry of some night bird came
to me. but there was no sound of hu
manity.
How long we sat there know not
1t was my purpose to keep awake the
night through. and think / must have
kept awake the greater part thereof.
but toward morning my head dropped
back on the pile of ingots, and | fell
asleep. Yet did not relax my clasp
upon the sleeping figure lying upon my
breast It was she who awakened
when the dim light began to sift
through the narrow opening into the
little cave where we sat.
Master Hampton" she said. bend
: ing over me, having arisen without
disturbing me, lit is morning"
sprang to my feet instantly. as
she shook me gently and grasped my
sword as did so, whereat she
laughed.
why did you not awaken me?" she
asked reprovingly.
81 don't know l must have l
: began in great confusion.
"You must have gone to sleep your
self" she laughed.
81 am ashamed" ! replied, that |
should have failed in my duty to keep
, good watch didn't awake you when
| might because you needed sleep your
, self. and then. like a big animal, !
y went to sleep myself
81 am glad" she said, smiling at me,
and | could just see her lovely face
family in the dark twilight Of the cave,
, that you did and nothing happened. -
Z 1T is just as well then" said smil-
ing in turn. I'VE nave both slept
{ feel greatly refreshed"
, And l."
a Thank Godr' | said fervently.
D What lis to he done now" she
q asked
: First. breakfast"
: broke open cocoanut with my ak
D | had become expert al it. and we had
/ food and drink in plenty and for va
e riety some of the hard bread which
: still remained which | had brought
4 with us and other fruit ! lighted the
: lantern for moment and went toward
the sound of the falling water The
!. cocoanut shell made an excellent cup
D and | h& cht her enough clear, cool
= sweet 'pr to lave her face and
hands. Save for the stiffness of tn,
: constrained position and some sligh
pain caused by the damp we were boil
: tit for any adventure.
u Well, we should have need of ou
: strength. When we finished our mea
and our refreshing abutions, she look
ed at me inquiringly.
u well, what neXt?''
! The next thing" said |, SIS to sex
what is toward"
You won't leave the cave" she said
: catching me by the shoulder.
: II should find it difficult were l s.
minded" answered. smiling ant
3 thrilling to her touch again. as always
Indeed, | have never got used to
even after all these years. AS l lool