Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1916-12-23

! recovered consciousness under thu
mlnistrations of Ravengar, to realize
that death by starvation was immi
nent. He had groped his way about
the cellar again and again, seeking in
vain for the smallest chance of egreSs
At last he seemed to abandon hope,
He kneeled beside Leontine and they
waited together for what seemed the
inevitable end.
Perhaps it was twelve hours later
when the rumbling was renewed. The
structure was settling down again.
Stones began falling about them; and
suddenly there came CLEAN Of day
light, striking with binding force upon
their unaccustomed eyes.
They started up, to see a narrow
chink in the roof, and, through that,
UNNECESSARILY far away, the white
Wisp Of cloud floating against the
blue
In an instant Ravengar had mo-
toned Leontine away, and was scram-
bling up the debris and pulling at the
stones. AT first he could accomplish
nothing; after long while however,
he succeeded In disodging small
stone which held back another. The
mass fell crashing into the cellar.
Leontine seized by Ravengars arms
and thrust upward, caught at the open
ing He pushed her through, and she
found herself under the blue sky, be-
meath her the rocks, and the sea
round about her. A minute later Raw
engar joined her.
Their return to the mainland in one
Of the boats that came to Investigate
the disaster VS. untroubled by fur
Their dangers. Leontine had gone
home; and that was how Sebastian
happened to see her when he returned
from the CHASTITY episode at Biunca's
house.
She roso from her knees with sigh
md put away the letters. Jerry was
dead, and she must not brood over the
past.
AS she rose she was startled to hear
Sehastlan's tread upon the stairs. She
waited for him, but she could hardly
bear to meet him.
He came into the attic and stood
looking at her curiously. It was near
ly half a minute before he spoke.
'Leontine," he said, you have not
told me how you aud the handsome
Ravengar escaped from the burning
balloon and the lighthouse accident"
why do you wish to know she
asked, struggling her shoulders. rs
1t not enough for you that your das-
tardy scheme failed, and must be tried
again?"
What do you mean by that" he
asked.
II mean," replied Leontine, that
am not unaware of your attempts upon
my life. The balloon that landed us
at Pilot Light was set on fire by you"
III you think that" he answered,
why don't you accept my proposition
and secure a divorce from meT
when you have confessed to the
forgery that sent Jerry Carson to pris-
on and to his DEATH" she answered.
Sebastian shrugged his shoulders,
sneered and moved toward the door.
He passed out, and Leontine heard
something click as the door closed.
She was trapped. She sank down |
helplessly into chair and stared wild
ly about her.
Suddenly she started and gasped
Across the half-dark-
ened room, seated In chair, she saw
the ghost of Jerry. 1t rose and smiled
sadly at her.
1t might have been an optical flu
sion, but never had Jerry seemed so
real to the girl. little older, stern
err, yet he was the same as of yore
and Leontine, overcome, tottered to-
ward him, weeping.
But as she drew nearer the specter
held out its hands,
Come no nearer" 1t said, but have
10 fear No harm shall come to you
Trust In the love Of my memory"
Leontlne hesltated only minute,
Unable to obey, she ran toward him
Us she drew near, the specter van
shed. She saw only the empty chair.
With wild cry Leontine fell
to the ground.
In her house, Mt that moment, Bian-
"a was receiving telephone message
from Sebastian. She heard it with
then with embarrassment.
"All right, I'll do 1t for you, Sebas-
tan,' she said, and hung up the re-
ceiver. She pressed bell, and two of
her followers came in.
Go to this address tonight" she
said, telling them the number, "and
bring back the girl you'll find there In
your auto. Pay no attention to any
thing she says. She's dippy."
Leontine had fallen asleep In her
chair in the attic, hopeless of escape
and yet encouraged by the vision,
which she did not doubt was that of
Terry himself, come back from the
grave to solace her. Sbr awakened
with a start, to hear the bolt Of the