The Adair County news., 1922-04-18

"aS SH0 SeaoJ VI ruNSs
was she dead, or alive? Had the fall
stunned her? He drew himself to the
very edge listening. What was down
there? Macklin perhaps; the two
bodies might be lying there together
in a common grave. But wait, some
thing moved surely!
"Olga speak to mew
He couldn't restrain the agony with
which he uttered the words. Fright
ened as she was, dazed by the fall,
scarcely conscious even yet, or able to
actually comprehend what had Oc-
Cured, his cry penetrated her mind,
brought her back to life.
"Yes, II am here, Tom," she man.
aged to say weakly.
"And you are not hurt?" his voice
thrilling now with a sudden return to
hope.
"Oh. IL don't know. 1 cannot
even tell what has happened. /
stepped back quickly, the bench over
turned and 1 fell. 1t is all earth
around me-where am II"
"In the passage beneath the cabin"
he explained quickly. 1T has been
miracle; your fall opened the trap.
Perhaps we may escape from these
devils yet. Make room for me to come
down; the cabin is already on fire. Is
the hole deep"
Not very. l think, and there is
ROOM"
He lowered himself, but it was not
necessary to drop; his feet struck the
earth floor, and, as he turned his
hands came in contact with the slab
sill dangling, just as it had fallen.
Obeying the first impulse, aware of
sudden Outburst of red flames some
where above him, he forced the block
upward, back into its place, jamming
it there with all his strength, until
sharp click convinced him the punch
con again was securely held. They
were alone, isolated, in the black
depths. underneath the burning cabin,
buried deep in the protecting earth.
He reached blindly out through the
udIhltSS ulllll ut IOuNllCu liCA. Ills III
gers closing cOnvulsively on a fold Of
her dress. In the sudden reaction he
felt as weak as a child, unable even
to control his speech.
"It was God who helped u.s. he said
humbly, mo one else could. You are
sure, Olga. you are unhurt"
81 must be bruised, l suppose; 1t
was an ugly fall, and-and l really
think ! lost consciousness at first.
Then l seemed to hear you call me a
long ways off. Is the cabin afire?
"Yes; those devils started it at the
rear. You can hear the wood crackle
even down here, and we must get far
ther back out Of the way. When the
roof falls this part of the floor may
cave in also"
In spite of the increasing volume of
flames above, scarcely a glimmer Of
red light succeeded in penetrating to
where they we've hidden. A very
slight glow found entrance through a
narrow crack above them, yet Shelby
was compelled to learn their immedi-
ate surroundings more by sense Of
touch than sight.
They were in a mere hole scooped
out from the soft earth, hardly wider
than the trap door which led to it, the
other puncheons of the cabin floor
resting solidly upon the ground. Shell
by leading the way, feeling his pas
sage along inch by inch, was suddenly
halted by an earth barrier which
seemingly blocked all further progress.
He could feel that it did not wholly
reach the top, leaving a space there
through which it might be possible to
crawl. Yet what would there be be-
yond? Why should they venture fur
ther at present? Laud was outside
with his Indians, the whole scene Lit
up with the glare of flames. They
| dare not venture to expose them
selves. Here they were beyond reach,
protected from both flames and saw
ages. Unless some among those as