Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-06-08
"Prisoners"
BY FREDERICK CLARKE


I
tiny one deep down in the bow of the
liner, and almost completely dark.
"Can you tell me where the ships
prison isl" she asked and, seeing the
expression of surprise upon the face
of the man within, she added hastily:
1.-The captain told US that there's
poor man In there who is being taken
back to America to be tried. And l
thought that as tomorrow is New
Years day he might like-Oh, ! beg
your pardon!"
There was no mistaking her con-
fusion. AS her eyes became accus-
toned to obscurity she could see that
the mans leg was fastened by long
chain to huge ball of iron.
II am the prisoner" he answered
quietly. And thank you with all my
heart for the-mOney."
II am so sorry" she answered, rec
Ognizing that the voice was that OF
gentleman. Even the thanks had
been at once an acknowledgment and
refusal. She slipped the purse back
into her bag again. Forgive me"
she said in humiliation.
ION one condition." he answered.
THAT you come again to say good-by
and wish me good fortune when the
ship docks. Sympathy of any kind is
so entirely foreign to my experience
that-well, somehow l like It,"
Yes, will come" she answered
gently.
That night the girl cried herself to
II wonder whether his prison is worse
than mine!" she sighed
Nearly four hours later the Pata-
gona collided with French liner In
dense fog. She was struck fairly
amdships and crumpled into help
less wreck. The other vessel stood
by and, ten minutes later, the passen-
gers and crew were transferred aboard
her
Down in the little prison under the
bow man waited, forgotten by all
save one-a girl who had run to him,
still half asleep, her fellow prisoner
in the flesh, as she in the spirit.
dow?" she pleaded.
won't you 60 back and leave me"
the prisoner answered.
NO" she replied. "They have
saved themselves and forgotten you.
the towards shall not 60 unless
you come with me-"
"Then," answered the prisoner. 'you
hn
ley door,"
She found it and passed it to him
through the little window. She heard
the hammer Of steel on iron. Present
ly he had hacked loose the chain. with
its shameful ball, and began hammer
ing upon the timbers. In few min
utes the stout door swung off its
hinges. They ran up ON the deck to-
gether, along slanting passages and
fitting stairs.
The ship was deserted. They looked
at each other and read their fate in
each others eyes.
"Why did you do this for ,ne?"
asked the man.
because |. too, am prisoner" she
answered.
"You don't look like a prisoner he
returned grimly.
81 will tell you then. was going
back to America to be married to a
man ! hate. 1t does not matter how
| came to be pledged to him. If had
broken my troth friends would have
been ruined-friends to whom ! owe
everything. 1t was my task to sacri-
flee myself Do you want to know
moreT"
He shook his head.
mot even my name"
mo But you know nothing Of me.
|. too. was returning to America, to
years of captivity for crime COM
mitted. And was guilty. You ought
| to know the worst of me because l do
| not want to die while you believe in
| me-"
II wish to know nothing" she an
swered
IF had known you before, might
have played a different part" he said.
The night wore on; only the gradual
| fitting of the deck told them that the
| end was inevitable.
Her hand stole into his and his fin
gers clasped 1t. A fierce longing to
| live surged into his soul. In that i'm
minent danger their hearts were re-
| vealed, each to each.
THE ship may last till dawn" he
said. If we are saved, will you come
with me to some far off country and let
US redeem our lives together"
! He felt her answering clasp and,
turning toward her. he took her In his
arms and kissed her.
The east grew light. Night was
gone, and their love had dawned as
perfect as that day.
| Out Of the horizon a small tramp
steamship was bearing down on them
| When she came nearer 1t could be seen
that she few the Brazilian flag.