The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-25

And two shall walk some narrow
way Of life
So closely side by side. that should
one turn
Ever so little space to left or right,
They needs must stand acknowledged
face to face"
A tall young man was walking rap
idly down one of the business streets
of Pensacola, it was evident that he
was on his way to some social func-
ton, for he was dressed in evening
clothes and in the height of style.
A young lady tripped along a few
steps in the rear clothed IN neat
fitting street suit, blue in color, with
hat and gloves to match.
She was watching the young man
as ne FASTENED along, and was say
ing to herself: THAT young fellow
is going to wedding and am surely
correct in saying that he is to be best
man and is afraid he will be late.
Well! of all things! He has disap-
pearedi Where did he go?"
And just at that moment she too
disappeared from view.
She had guessed correctly, the man
chum, he was to be best man and he
was afraid Of being late and was
walking rapidly when all at once he
plunged downward into black dark
ness
Great Scott! This is Egyptian
darkness thick enough to be felt" He
had landc1 on all tours on some hard
| substance and before he could get on
his feet something fell upon him and
mashed him flat ''Great Scott" he
! exclaimed. again. Gle was a good
young man and Great Scott was his
strongest expletive.)
"Oh my!' This in a feminine voice.
Il surely beg your pardon" and she
scrambled off the young mans back.
where am II" he asked with man.
ly egotism.
I'm the same place 1 am" she re
| piled sweetly.
BY this time John Eve call him
John as that is a common name and
does not belong to the young MANI by
this time John was standing erect,
and taking out a pocket flashlight he
| threw its rays in all corners of the
/ place of their detention.
The sight was not reassuring, BIZ
luminous coal lay in heaps on the
! ground. Flashing the light overhead
he saw the cause of their fall, man.
hole had been left open by the care
less workmen.
Pride goeth before fall" the Good
! Book sayetA. H'yWNW
When these words, spoken in a de-
mure voice, low pitched, gentle, well
bred voice, reached Johns ear he
seemed to realize, for the first time
since his arrival that he was not
alone.
He flashed the light in the direction
from whence came the voice and be-
held a young lady with sooty stripes
dots and blotches smearing her face
the remains of hat set rakishly or
one side of her head. the front of a
one-time white silk waist was plum
ruint," with coal SCOT.
John looked at his companion in
calamity long and earnestly, and Their
exclaimed Great Scott"
rs the Scott dear friend of yours
or perhaps patron saint?" she asked
quizzically.
John ignored the question and still
holding the light so it would shine in
her face he asked, have you the
slightest idea where we are?'
I'VE are most certainly under Pal
afox street and probably we are in the
coal cellar of Blank and Blanks Dry
Goods Emporium"
Leave it to a woman to find such
a location as dry goods storei" John
spoke sarcastically.
Il hardly think this is bargain day.
this with voice ouivering with mer-
riment
mo laughing matter, let me tell
you'll" replied John grimly, however
there is no use in standing here" and
he clambered down the slippery, slid
ing mass Of coal and starting dowr
the long, narrow coal cellar flashing
his light at the sides and in front, his
companion following after.
John was rewarded by a glimmer Of
light In the distance towards which
he fastened his steps only to find
when he reached it, a door with Z
small window in it, and through thu
much begrimed glass a dim ligh
. shone. John tried to raise the win.
dow, failure. Then he tried the dool
. latch-he shook the door, he jerkeC
the door, he put his broad shoulder,
against tall to no purpose.
We'll. I'll be-"
Great Scotted,A the demure vote,
: finished his sentence for him.
He turned and looked at her almos
: angrily.
He stood in a ray of light TIA
> brought out, in bold relief ever,
smear made by the coal SCOT broa'
: mark crossed his face DIAGONAL.
from the right temple to the left jaw
bone, black smudge on the end Of hi
) nose One eye was in mourning an
looked as though he might hav
!: some out second best in a fisticuff en-
counter. His stiff, white shirt bosom
was crumpled and blackened and hi
Panama was broken, and with greas
SCOT marks spelling its beauty and il
: the middle of the crown was imbed
ded pointed black diamond.
She looked at him with sober fac
but twinkling eyes. finally the sigh
was too much for gravity a fain