Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 122: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IN PERILOUS WAYS. 115 ‘““My answer,” I said. “ Will you trust yourself to my care if I find a way?” “ Yes, if you can find a way, but how can you escape them?” She did not wait for my answer, but whispered hoarsely, “ Come, come,” beckoning for me to follow her. The door to the other room was open, and the duenna came in, excited and much alarmed. She would have prevented my passing through the door to this room, but I pushed her gently aside and whispered for her to hold the outer door as long as she could. I had scarcely passed by her when there were loud raps; and a man’s voice demanded that he be admitted to the room. Sefiorita Teresa had preceded me, and she now quickly closed the door between the two rooms, and fastened it. “I may be able to prevent their coming in here. It is my room,” she explained, placing her back against the door. The apartment was dimly lighted by wax candles. One swift glance and I saw that it was richly and daintily furnished. A bed was covered with a silk puff, and the pillow cases and coverlet were of embroidered linen and white lace. Beside the bed was a velvet ottoman, upon which lay some gowns. The floor was covered with soft rugs, and pervading all was an atmosphere of purity and sweet fragrance which, under other circumstances, would have restrained my unhallowed feet from venturing within its sacred precincts. I could have fallen upon my knees and worshiped this noble, self sacrific- ing woman, when I realized how much she was risking to save me. To stay and compromise her honor, I could not. I would not be found in her room. I must escape. Quickly I passed to the window. It would not yield. I was in despera- tion. I felt a small hand on my arm. “ The other window,” she said. The other window yielded, and I felt the cool evening air against my cheeks, but the sefiorita’s hand was still upon my arm, as if she would restrain me. This window, as I saw, opened on a balcony. “The distance is too great. You will be killed,” she whispered. At the same moment there were loud demands made that the outer door be opened. She heard the men, and her grasp upon my arm tightened. I cannot describe what a thrill that little hand sent through me. Had I a hundred lives, they would all have been laid down for her service, but 1 was only one against many, and I must save her. And if I saved her it must be at another time. For a moment I hesitated, but there was no alternative. I must escape, and I could not take her with me. “ Fear not but that I will find a way to rescue you,” I said as I hesitated. She let me take both her hands in mine, and for an instant our eyes met, and then I slipped through the window to the balcony. . Jt was time I was away if I expected to escape, for the men had already been admitted to the outer room. I could hear them talking loudly, but could not hear the duenna. Poor old woman, I fancied she must have been frightened out of her wits, or fainted outright. GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT