Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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THE COLLEGIAN. I5 she lay there she was a sight to inspire an artist. But she had such a sad face. The sadness did not mar the beauty of it, however, but made the scene a pathetic one. 'lack stood for an instantonly, then it suddenly came to him that this was his sleeping beauty. He rushed Z1C1'OSS'lllC room and falling on his knees before the couch impressed a kiss on the cheek of the sweet. tired face. She woke with a start, and seeing this handsome fellow by her she blushed, but demanded if he were one of that horrid leaderfs ambassadors come to try to per- suade her to marry him and thus gain her release from this prison. She commanded him to go back: she would die rather than do that. She was going to take her imprisonment a thousand times in pielerence to a life with that brute. .lack at first stared in wonder at this outburst, but soon took in the situation. This beautiful thing, this lily from nature's garden, was being held in this dark place in the hope of being forced into an alliance with the brute leader of the terrible pirate band. At once his heart went out to her, and here he saw his princess in reality, whom he should rescue from an ogre in- deed. He quickly explained his position to her, and as he talked he noted the hunted look leave her eyes and instead one of hope and trust take its place. She was almost desperate in her pleadings for him to save her from this awful fate, and Jack promised to save her with his life, if necessary. How could he do otherwise when those great dark eyes were looking so pleadingly into his very soul? He knew in that instant that she was queen of his heart: he was hopelessly and forever lost to her. But now they had no time to waste, they must get out of this horrid place. They decided to explore the other passage and maybe they could ind some way to the outside world. It was in a very different state of mind that Jack stepped through the secret door, back into the dark chilly passage that led to he knew not where. The girl was by his side, trusting him for freedom. He must get out of there, if not by this passage by some other way, he knew not how. He was listen- ing to every noise for fear of the discovery of his vacant cell

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I4 THE COLLEGJAN. him to stand erect, and was some three feet in width. The air was very close and musty. He could distinguish nothing very plainly, but holding his candle above his head he proceeded down this passage. He stumbled over something and when he examined it he found it to be a skull. This sent a chill to his heart, but he went on. For the first ten feet he found no more obstacles, but then he came to a halt. The subway passage divided, one way lefl to a little door not three feet in front of him, while the other seemed quite long and the end of it could not be seen. After a moments thought he decided to try the door, but there seemed no way of opening it. No knob or spring was in sight. He tried for some moments. but all in vain, and was turning away, when he happened to step on a loose board, and quick as a flash the door fell back from its place. The sight that met jacks eyes will be with him the rest of his life. There was a large square apartment the walls of which were painted in panels, all of the same uniform order, the secret door forming one of these panels. In the centre of the room was a table laden with books, flowers, and music. Rich carpets were on the floor. Handsome pictures hung over the panelled wall. Comfortable chairs were about the room, and in one corner was a piano: while lying near was a guitar and a mandolin. The richest of lace drapery was everywhere. Tlut the most impressive thing was a girl lying on a couch in another corner of the room. She was asleep. Jack stood for a moment dazed. He had never seen such a beautiful picture before. He hadn't likezl girls much. They were thought to be only a bunch of laces and ribbons and nonsense. But he did not feel that way toward this creature whom he had so mysteriously stumbled upon. She wore a simple gown of white and no jewels whatever. Her only decoration was a lily in one hand while her head. was pillowed on the other arm. Her dark hair was caught at the back of her head with a large bow of ribbon and then fell in a long curl over the crimson pillow. A few locks had strayed over her forehead. Her del- icate ankle was barely visible below the hem of her dress. As

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16 THE COLLEGIAN. and then pursuit. That would never dog he had no means of defense whatever. Once as they were picking their way in the dimness, the girl stumbled and when she looked to see what the obstacle was, found it to be another skull. A cold shudder passed over her and she clutched Jacks arm that held the candle, but would have fallen had he not steadied her with his other. She soon regained her courage, however, and to- gether they proceeded for some thirty feet and then came to a steep stairway leading down into seeming utter darkness and space. After a 111011161165 hesitation they went down, only to find another lonff passage before them similar to tie Hrst. rf 1 Z5 It was very damp and slippery and they heard water dripping 6 from the ceiling to the floor. The girl shuddered and came closer to Jack. He tried to encourage her with kind words and helped her over the little pools of water which they found now collected on the floor. lt was very damp and cold now, and Black carefully wrapped his coat around the slight form of the girl, who was trembling perceptibly. She gave him a grateful look which repaid him for what he had done and more too. As they were crossing a much larger puddle of water he dropped the candle. lt sputtered a moment and then went out. The darkness was oppressive. Fortunately the pirates had not robbed the prisoners of their personal posses- sions or clothing: so he had a match in his pocket, and after some delay he succeeded in persuading the candle to light again. Then they proceeded. After some half-hou1 s walk they came to a steep flight of steps which looked very dangerous, but they tried the ascent. The hope of freedom was always urging them on. Jack had almost to drag the tired girl up the steps. VVhen they reached the top and paused for breath a moment they were still in a dark passage with seemingly no endg but it was not so damp or cold as below. Then jack heard something that chilled him to the very heart. Away down the passage, at the foot of the stairs, he could hear voices loudly talking and swearing, and feet splashing through the water. They were being pur- sued. He grabbed the girl and started down the long passage.