The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-04-15

IN February %, 1915. Edmond
Dantes sailed into Marseilles.
He was but nineteen years Of
age and ardently in love. His con-
science was clear; he had violated no
law. Yet the next night he was in a
cell in the gloomy Chateau DIFF, a for
tress on a bare rock off Marseilles.
And fourteen years were to pass be-
fore he strobe again In the sunlight.
Three men had wrought his ruin.
Danglars envied Edmond's rapid pro-
molten. Fernand was crazed with love
for Mercedes. Edmond's beloved. Dan
glars wrote and Fernand dispatched a
letter warning the authorities to inter-
cept the missive Edmond was bearing
to Paris Chance decreed that this
warning, addressed to Villefort's ia
Their, fell into the hands of the I'M
scrupulOus Villefort himself.
OF this dark intrigue Edmond knew
nothing. At his captains dying re-
quest. he had called at Elba where he
had seen the captive Napoleon and
been intrusted with sealed letter.
Villefort. turn-coat devoted to the
aristoeracy, had changed his name to
make men forget that his father was
a Bonapartist. He destroyed the in
eliminating letter before Edmond's
eyes and promised that the lad should
soon be free. Even. as he spoke the
words. he knew that In the disappear
snce of this youth lay his own security.
Thus 1t happened that while the
Corsican came out Of Elba by stealth
and rode to Paris amid tumultuous
cheers. Edmond lay In dungeon. The
thunder Of the guns at Waterloo did
not penetrate the walls of the Chateau
diff. Napoleon was borne away to
st. Helena; the Hundred days were
over. And Dantes knew naught of
these things. He ate out his heart In
thoughts of Mercedes and wondered
what mad freak of fortune had thrust
him away from the world of men.
Days dragged into years. He lost
track OF time. Confined In black and
siimy dungeon he saw only his jailer.
There were moments when he hoped,
hours when he despalred, weeks when
he raved In impotent anger. Four years
rolled past. He was starving himself
20 death. Then he heard a rasping,
scratching noise. The spark Of human
hope burned anew. He swallowed his
broth: he must win back his strength
Somewhere near him was q human
mole. burrowing stealthily. worming to-
ward freedom.
Four days later a section of floor
ing fell In and out Of dark tunnel
sprang an old man. lie was the Able
Faria. a prisoner for eight years. His
tunnel. dug with arduous toll. had
failed TO reach the sunlight. but II led
is fellowship. unsupported by their
jnilers. the two men met daily and
studied unweariedly. Out of his ripe
wisdom and his prodigious memory.
the Able taught Edmond mathematics, |
history and languages.
less guileless than Edmond. he was
able 10 prove, from the youths own
story. that Danglars. Fernand and |
ViIlefort were responsible for his liv-
ing death. So Edmond had new in
centive for freedom. He sought re-
venge. The Able revealed too the Sc
cret Of the great treasure Of gold and
jewels that lay in cave on Monte
Cristo. an uninhahited island of Italy.
The years rolled on. Another at
tempt to escape was frustrated hy the
paralysis Of the Abhe's right side. Ed
rnond refused TO leave him. He WIS
n veay different man from the carefree