1897.] so, could he be so ungenerous as not to make some attempt to save me, after all I had done for him ? I put the suspicion away with contempt. I could not believe him guilty of that. But as the hours wore on, I began to give up hope, and utterly worn out in body and mind I fell into a troubled sleep. How long I dozed I do not know but suddenly I awoke with a start which brought me to a sitting posture. The light was so dim that I could not see a yard before me. Yet I was conscious of a presence near me. And I was not wrong. From out of the darkness came the whisper of a soft voice, and a gentle hand was laid upon my mouth. And although I had heard it but a few times, I recog nized with a thrill of joy the voice which said: “You are free. Come.” And even as I heard the whisper the bands fell from my wrists and ankles, and I stood once more a free man. I could have em braced with joy the author of those four words of hope, but this was no time for such demonstrations. So I followed the guiding hand to the little window which stood between us and liberty. Then more cautiously than ever, I handed out my brave rescuer and followed'myself. A moment more, and we stood together outside the house in the deep darkness \vhich comes before the day. “ We are free, Carmen,” I whispered, pressing the little hand that lay so unresistingly-in mine. “But why did you come to my rescue? Where was Calvario?” “ Hush,” she replied, “ I will tell you all later. But at present we must get out of this. ’ ’ Then keeping in the deepest shadows, we crept silently away from my erstwhile prison. We had pro ceeded perhaps an eighth of a mile, when suddenly there was a loud shout in the direction of the house we had just left. “ Your flight has been discovered,” said Carmen. “They will be after us in a minute.” And we quickened our pace. “Now,” said I, “ we are far enough away to speak without danger. Why did not Calvario come £o my rescue ?” ‘‘ He will yet. He would have come ere this, but he could not find enough armed men to attempt it. And I, fearing that he might be too late, came myself, and with what success you already know.” ‘ ‘ Yes, ’ ’ I replied, ‘ ‘ and bless you for itr Those dark-browed scoundrels would undoubtedly have carried out the sentence. ’ ’ A Cuban Episode.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers