The San Francisco call., 1901-11-17

past him from he knew not Wnere, ana
then there was shout. the report or
pistol horrid yell. Something heavy
crashed down beside him and writhed-
His eyes were closing, his senses were
going, he was numb and sleepy. Away
off In the distance he heard Harry An
guish crying:
THAT settles you, damn you!
Some one lifted his head from the car
pet and woman's voice was crying some
thing unintelligible. He was conscious or
an effort on his part to prevent the Diooo
from streaming over her gown-a last Dlt
of gallantry The sound Of rushing rect,
shouts. frearms-oblivien!
When Lorry regained consciousness ne
blinked in abject amazement. Inere was
a dull, whirring sound in his ears and MS
eyes had a glaze over them that was SLOW
in wearing off There were persons IN the
room lie could see them moving about
and could hear them talking. As MS eyes
tried TO take in the strange surroundlnss
hand was lifted from his forehead ana a
soft. dream-hke voice said:
HE is recovering. Mr.. Anguish see
his eyes are open. Do you know me, Mr..
.orry?''
The unsteady eyes wandered until they
fell upon the face near his pillow. A
brighter gleam came into them and there
was a ray of returning intelligence he
u
tried to speak but could only move ms
lips As he remembered her, she was IN
white and he was puzzled now 10 see her
in a garment of some dark material, suS-
gestive of the night or the green Ol
shady hillside There was the odor or
roses and yiolets and carnations. Then
he looked for the fatal, fearful, siaring
chandelier IL was gone. The room was
becoming lighter and lighter as his eyes
grew stronger, but it was through
window near where he lay, So Ii was
daylight. Where was he?
How do you feel, old MANI asked
familiar voice. A man sat down beside
him on the couch or bed and big nano
grasped his own. Still he could not
answer.
Doctor" cried the voice near his mead,
.avor really think it is not serious?'
II am quite sure" answered a man
voice from somewhere cut in the hgnt-
''It is a bad cut. and he Is just recover
ing from the effect of the other Had the
blow not been a glancing one his skull
would have been crushed. lie will be per-
fectiy conscious in short time Inere
is no conclusion, your Highness-
..I am so happy to hear you say that"
said the soft voice Lorrys eyes sought
hers and thanked her. A lump came into
his throat as he looked up into the ten
der, anxious blue eyes. A thrill came
over him. Princess or not, he loved her
he loved herr You were very brave
oh. so brave!" she whispered in his ear,
her hand touching his hair caressinsly.
My Americani
He tried to reach the hand before it
faded. but he was too weak She glided
away and he closed his eyes again as If
in pain
Look up, old man; you're all right"
said Anguish. Smell this handkerchief.
1t will make you feel better" A moist
cloth was held beneath his nose, and a
strong, pungent odor darted through his
nostriIs In a moment he tried to raise
himself to his elbow. The world was
clearing up.
''Lie still bit, Lorry. Don't be too
hasty. The doctor says you must not"
Where am /, Harry? asked the
wounded man. weakly
"In the castle. I'll tell you all about 1t
presently
Am 1 in her room?''
mo, but she is in yours. You are
across the hall in''-here he whispered
Uncle Caspar's room. Caspar is a
Count"
And she is the Princess-truIy?"
what luck!"
"What misery-what miseryr' half
moaned the other.
'sBosh! Be a man! Don't talk SO loud,
either. There are half-dozen IN the
room"
Lorry remained perfectly quiet for ten
minutes, his staring eyes fixed on the
ceiling He was thinking of the abyss
he had reached and could not cross
what time is it?' he asked at last,
turning his eyes toward his friend.
IT'S lust o'clock. You have been un-
conscious or under the influence Of ether
for over four hours. That guard hit you
a fearful crack"
'sI heard a shot-a lot Of them Was any
one killed? Did those fellows escape?"
.'Killed, There have been eight execu-
tions besides the one attended to. Lord,
they don't wait long here before handing
out Justice.
Tell me all that happened. Was she
hurt?''
II should say noti Say, Gren. have
killed man. Dannox got my bullet right
In the head and he never knew what hit
him. CHASTITY, isn't it? I feel beastly
queer. 1t was he who turned on the
lights and went at you with club. !
heard you call. and was in the door just
as he hit you. His finish came inside Of
a second. You and he spoiled the hand
soonest rug I ever saw"
Ruined it?
Not In her estimation. I'll wager she
has II framed, blood and all. The stains
will always be there as a reminder Of
your bravery, and that's what she says
she's bound to keep. She was very much
excited and alarmed about you until the
room filled with men and then she re-
membered how she was attired- never
saw anything so pretty as her embarrass-
ment when the Countess and her aunt led
her into the next room. These people are
going out, so I'll tell you what happened
after you left me with the cook. He was
a long time falling under the influence.
and 1 had barely reached the top OF the
stairs when I saw Dannox rush down the
hall. Then you called, and knew the
1ik was on in full blast. The door was
Open, and I saw him strike you. I shot
him, but she was at your side before I
could get to you. The other fellows who
were in the room succeeded in escaping
while was bending over you, but neither
Of them shot at me. They were too badly
frightened. i had sense enough left to
follow and shoot q couple OF times as
they tore down the stairs One OF them
stumbled and rolled all the way to the
bottom. He was unconscious and bleed
ing when 1 reached his side The other
fellow flew toward the dining hall uhera