The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-08-10


She replied. wildly
HE is imprisoned as we are
d. They arc burning him win
torches driving arrows into NM
tearing his flesh .. Oh, my
poor little son!
HE will come, dear. he told you ne
would. Nothing can separate
mother and son VINO have been d,
| brought together again."
I'VE have found each other IN
death: we shall be united in death.
, / wish It might be at once! J don't
want him to suffer!'
! The agony was too great. with an
effort she released her hands from
Stephane's and made a movement TO
fling herself down But she imme-
diately threw herself back against th4
, w-bridge, with a cry or amazef(
ment which was echoed hy Stephnne.
Something had passed before their
eyes and disappeared again 1t came
I from the left. ..
"The ladderl" exclaimed Stephaue.
Its the ladder, isn't III"
= yes it's Francois" said VeroniQue, n'
catching her breath with JOY and
hopeA "He is saved. He is coming to-
rescue u.s.
At that moment the wall OF torment
! was almost upright, vibrating i'm
placably beneath their shoulders. The
] cave no lOHBtI NNloAtu bNAtAAu AaANaiE
The depths had already claimed
them at most they we're clinging 10
a narrow ledge.
Veronique leant outward again.
The ladder swung back and then lba-
came stationary. fixed by Its Two
hooks.
Above them, at the opening in the
cliff, was a boys face; and the boy
was smiling and making gestures:
] stnfrlr -
The call was eager and urgent.
The two arms were outstretched
toward the pair below. Veronique
moaned:
"oh, it's you, it's you. my darlingl"
Quick, mother, I'm holding the lad
der! Quick! It's quite
safe!"
I'm coming, darling, I'm coming"
She had seized the nearest upright.
This time, with Stephdne's assist
ance, she had no difficulty in placing
her foot on the bottom runS. But she
said:
And you. Stephane? You're COM
.ng with me, aren't your"
81 have plenty Of time" he said.
Hurry"
mo, you must promise"
81 swear. Hurry"
She climbed four rungs and
stopped:
Are you coming, StephaneY'
He had already turned toward the
cliff and slipped his left hand into
narrow fissure which remained De
tween the draw bridge and the rock.
His right hand reached the LADDER
and he was able to set foot on the
lowest rung. He too was saved
With what delight Veronique COW
cred the rest OF the distance! What
, mattered the void below her, now that
her son was there, waiting for her
to clasp him TO her breast at lastl q
Here l am, here ! am She say"
4 Here 7 am. my darling"
She swiftly put her head and
shoulders in the window, He pulled
1 her through; and she climbed over
, the ledge. At last she was with her-
son.
They flung themselves into each
others arms:
oh, mother. mother. is 1t really
I true? Motherl"
arms about him than she drew back
n little. she did not know why. An
5 inexpHcable discomfort checked her
first outburst.
Come here" she, said. dragging
I him to the light of the window. Come
II and let me look at YOU" .1
e The bow did as she wished. She,
Il examined him for two or three sec
onds. no longer, and suddenly, giving
e a start of terror, calculated;
'e Then it's you? It's you, the MUIR
y derer?"
t, Oh. horror! She was once more
g looking on the face OF the monster
70 who had killed her father and Honor
1t inc before her eyes!
= 80 you know me2' he chuclxled.
'r Veronique realized her mistake
from the boys very tone. This was
r. not Francois but the other, the one
10 who had played his devihsh part in
the clothes which Francois usually
70 wore.
r. He gave another chuclde:
Il "Ah. you're beginning TO see things
- as they are, ma'am! You know me
., now, don't your" hI
"a The hateful face contracted. be-
n came wicked and cruel, animated by
"a the vilest expression,
~ "Vorski! Vorsld!" stammered
c. Veronique. IT'S Vorsld l recognize
D. in you"
He burst out laughing.
IN why not? Do you think I'm going
I'd 10 dtsown my father as you did?" .
ir 'Vorslkl's son! His SOM" Vero-
IN nique repeated.
D. Lord bless me, yes, his son: why
OK shouldn't be? Surely the good fell
bt low had the right to have two sons!
Ut Me first and dear Francois next!"
ld "Vorski's sonl" Veronique ex-
by claimed once more.
ga And one Of tho best, / tell You
sh ma am, a worthy son OF his father
"a and brought up on the highest prin-
. ciples. I've shown you as much al
- ready, haven't II But it's not I'm.
-. ished, we're only at the beginning
"a o.. Here, would you Hike me &c
give you fresh proof? Just take
squirt at that stick -in- the-mud
90 OF tutor . No, but look how
things go when / take a hand II
ev them"
ty, He sprang to the window. Ste
nm planes head appeared. The DO,
re picked up a stone and struck will
a all his might, throwing him back
TO ward.
'or Veronique, who at the first mo
es' ment had hesitated, not realizing tn,
he danger, now rushed and seized tn
IDS boys arm. 1t was too late. Tn