Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-06-14

1
vial job that have undertaken, bu
IL l manage it well there will be
gain in it. Thank my stars, 1 hav
ensconced myself in a strong place
and il / but hold it,"
Kraunich hesitated, and his broy
grew dark and troubled. f
! Il aciH hold it, he continued
bringing his fist down upon the ta
bic. "In spite Of all opposition will
hold it.
At that moment be was aroused by
the opening Of the door. and on the
next instant man, all covered with
dust, entered the cabinet. ne
@Ah, Ludwig" cried Kraunich
starting to his feet, Il have been
waiting for thee most aniouxsly
What news do you bring9 Have you
found Laybach and Bolen?"
Yes, major, have found them
both, ? returned the courier, as soon
as he could gain breath enough to
speak.
And why have they not returned?
what has detained them so long?
Go bring them hither, and let them
answer fsr themselves"
You did not hear me through, sir.
found them, but found them both
dead! They lay in the path, and
their horses were still hanging about
the place.
Some of the banditti, probably"
said Kraunich.
"No.-that could not haye been, for
they were not robbed.
@Then, by heavens, young Rein
berg must have escaped them. Were
they shot?"
"Yes."
"Then he may haye found out the
trick that had been played with his
pistols. Could you find any traces
OF the youngster?"
No; but / know it must have been
he who killed the two men, for /
traced the tracks OF the three horses
to the spot where Hound the corpses.
Then further on / found the spot
where the third man must have fallen
from his horse, for there was a place
where a pool OF blood had stood and
dried up upon the grass: but beyond
here could gain nothing. I found
horses tracks. but they were soon
lost, and l gave up the search. OF
one thing, however, am sure, Lay
bach and Bolen are dead, and Rein
berg has escaped"
THAT will do, Ludwig. Go and
get some refreshments.
The courier left the cabinet, and
after he had gone Kraunich started
across the room.
HE may have escaped" he NUT
tered, "but he shall not thwart me.
My business shall now be the more
quickly done. / do not believe that
Charles OF Austria will listen to his
pratings; but, nevertheless, / will be
prepared
He touched a bell that stood upon.
the table, and servant answered
the summons.
Go tell the lady Olivia and her
daughter to attend me here"
Ere long the summons was obeyed
The baroness entered first, and Jo-
hanna followed.
BE seated, ladies, said Kraunich,
at the same time taking seat him
self.
Both Olivia and Johanna followed
the majors direction, and then they
looked up into his face. Johanna
trembled like an aspen, for she saw
that her prosecutor was worked upon
by deep passion. and she dreaded
him. Had it been passion alone,
however, she would not have thought
so much OF it, but she detected a
malicious smile working about the
corners of his mouth, and she knew
there was a demon lurking there.
Il have not seen you. my young
lady. since we met in the forest" Z"
said Kraunich. as he bent a strange
look upon the maiden. "But / have
sent for you now to communicate q
piece OF intelligence which 1 have no
doubt wi bplease you. Since it has
been decided that you should become
my wife have made up my mind
that the sooner the thing is affected
the better, and to this end we will
have the marriage performed at
once. have set to- morrow at noon,
for the ceremony. How does that
please you?"
But surely, SIR" uttered the bar
oness, "you do not mean to make
this haste in so an important mat
ter"
@You are at fault, madam" sarcas-
tically replied Kraunich. ~The mat
ter becomes only important in its
settlement, and you know the arch
duke has already settled it. This de-
lay is OF no use, whereas an immedi-
ate consumation will be infinitely Of
advantage to all concerned. You
are aware Of the dukes instructions
and you know the matter now rests
with me. Charles undoubtedly thinks
am by this time married"
Johanna had shrank close to her
mother, and her whole frame was
trembling fearfully. She could not
speak, for her feelings were too deep.
Kraunich noticed her manner, and a
still darker cloud passed across his
features. He arose from his seat and
annfOaCled her a