The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-17

Just what l was about &c
say" | replied. You dare moi
remain In Oblivion with him a.
large. And IL we are obliged, to
take to the water, you can safely
trust to US We all can swim
and We will take care OF you. II
you will rely on u.s."
I'VE will do exactly as direct.
ed" she returned: land I win &c
down first"
mo! Mo-" said I.
But she was already half across
the wide window ledge.
Come back. Lady Edith"
cried.
There is no one yisibIe!" she
smiled. And it's much better fol-
me to test the ladder than fol
YOU"
lay on the sill and watched
her.
Two hundred feet is a perilous
distance at best-but she went
lightly as a dryad, swiftly, fear,
lessly, with never a pause nor 9
look down.
AS she reached the ground safe
ly and flung up her hand TOWARD
the window, l said:
Now, Rosalind, If you are
ready, we will CO."
Rosalind crawled slowly out or
the sill-grasped the ropes secure.
ly in her hands-and found the
first round in the descent.
Good" said l. Now come
with the next foot-a little low.
er-so. - Now with the mex,
not so fast. dear, not SO fast
" "That's better! Take
1t easy-you're doing bully
you've got the distance"
We were nearing the ground
A moment later my foot touched
the grass.
reached up and swung Rosa,
lind down beside me.
Great. l said.
She gave me a look-a looi
that made my heart fairly bound
and frightened me far more thar
the descent of the pyramid-ant
fell into Lady Edith's arms.
Lady Elizabeth came next; with
Justine just after.
The former was as swift ant
fearless as Lady Edith; and JUS
tine, guided by her and somewhat
by her own rare good sense ant
nerve, made the journey in admir-.
able time.
Then De Verdenois' feet came
through the windows; he, swung
out, and ran lightly downIthe lad.
der. HI
Suddenly, when he wal almost
down, the Marquis head appeared
at the window. He let out a yell
and slashed at the ropes.
One side of the ladder parted
the other side held just lone
enough for De Verdenois warn,
ed by the give of the rope and my
cry-to slip his knee around i
and slide to the ground.
The next instant the ladder fel
and the pyramid, aroused b!
the Marquis cries, was in a tn
multi. We could hear the shouts
of the guards, the order OF theil
officers-and then a stein voice
which rose above the noise, de
handing: ~
What is the matter?"
1T is the Duke" said Lad,
Edith-as We dashed toward tn,
harbor. Hurry, hurry"
did you find out abou
Hatch?" / asked.
oh! They are in that build
ing yonder-with the guard be
fore the door,"
Leave Hatch to mel" said D,
Verdenois. You go on with The
women"
He turned and made straigh
at the guard-who had seen us
yet did not know just what to do
Before he had decided, De Yer
denois was upon him.
l saw the formers sword flasl
and then | went by, confident
that IL Hatch and his men coult
be released, De Verdenois would
release them.
We could hear the guards com
ing down the steps at top speed
which was some speed with them
the deep voice of the Duke, from
above; the shriller one of the
Marquis, cheering them on, ant
the Marquis leading them.
had Rosalind by the arm
Lady Edith and Lady Elizabeth
free-limbed and free-moving, UNI
corseted and lithely vigorous, hat
Justine between them, fairly lift
ing her along.
We cut from the walk, where II
turned southwark around the by
ramid, and sped across the grass
and under the huge palms ant
celbas straight for the harbor.
Suddenly there came the pattel
of swiftly pursuing feet, which
gained on us at every jump
gained so rapidly that they would
Overtake us even before VIZ
reached the beach.
Rosalind looked up at me ap
pealingly.
l encouraged her with q smile
and dragged her on. Our pur
suers we're nearly upon us. !
could detain them q moment
maybe something would happen in
that moment to help Rosalind.
Keep on, dear!" l exclaimed
then loosed her arm and swung
around--desperate-just as Dc
Verdenois. Hatch and his mer
dashed up.
Miss Brinsmade-take her!
/ cried, joyfully.
Rosalind was staggering-7about
to go down. 1t was no time fol-
ceremony. Hatch and Conner
caught her up and sped on. De
verdenois and Burke snatched ur
Justine and followed them. Lady
Elizabeth and Lady Edith, being