The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-04-28
prisoners"
By FREDERICK CLARKE
q. isA. western Ns-.B.ssr unloal

ulster peered through the aperture ID
the thick oaken door which served
also as a window. The room was
tiny one dep down IN the bow Of the
liner. and almost completely dark.
"Can you tell me where the ships
prison Isl. she asked aud. seeing the
expression Of surprise upon the face
Of the man within. she added hastily
"The captain told as that there's
poor man in there who is being taken
back 10 America to be tried And !
thought that as tomorrow is New
Years day he might like-Oh. ! beg
your pardon !"
There was no mlstaking her con
fusion As her eyes became accus-
toned 20 obscurity she could see that
the mans leg was fastened by long
chain TO a huge ball Of iron.
Il am the prisoner" be 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
a gentleman Even the thanks had
been az once an acknowledgment and
refusal. She slipped the purse back
into her bag again. Forgive me-
she said In humiliation.
"0n 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 like IT,"
Yes ! will come" she answered
gently.
That night the girl cried herself to
sleep in her magnificent stateroom.
81 wonder whether his prison is worse
than mine I" she sighed.
Nearly four hours later the Pata-
gonla cOllIded with French liner In
dense fog. She was struck fairly
amidships and crumpled into a 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 a 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.
Cant you climb through the win
dow7' she pleaded.
won't you go back and leave meF
the prisoner answered.
No" she replied. "They have
saved themselves and forgotten you,
the towards ] shall not go unless
you come with me-"
Then" answered the prisoner, "you
will find an AK hanging beside the gal
ley door"
She found II 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 tlmbers. 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 mel"
asked the man.
Because |, too. am atprisoner," she
answered
''Ydu don't look like prisoner" he
returned grimly.
Il will tell you then. was going
back TO America TO be married TO a
man | hate. II does not matter how
came to be pledged TO him. If had
broken my troth friends would have
been rulned--friends to whom ] owe
everything. II was my task TO sacri-
fee myself. Do you want to know
more9"
He shook his head
"Not even my manner
NO. But you know nothing OF me.
|. too. was returning to America, to
years of captivity for a crime COM
mitted. And | was guilty. You ought
to know the worst Of me because do
not want to die while you believe in
me-"
81 wish to know nothing" she an
swered.
"If | had known you before. might
have played 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 II. A fierce longing TO
1--we surged into his soul In that i'm
minent danger their hearts we're re
veale,l. each to each.
"The ship may last TIL dawn" be
said. IF we are saved, will you come
with me TO some far or country and let
us redeem our lives together
He felt her answering clasp and,
turning toward her. be took her In bis
arms and kissed her.
The east grew light Night was
gone. snd their love had dawned as
perfect as that dav.