Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-01-08
world

lover praised, ard She knew how well
he deserved it. Had lie i saved the
life of the prince more tlan once by
his courage and shrewdness?
And still Buckford fingered. The
bullet was probed for and found But,
though the wound seemed inclined to
| heal, the stunned brain refused to re-
sumo its functions.
And while the good people in Vol
ner's house nursed him so tenderly
| four rascals We're holding a secret con-
ference in the castle of Casparin mt
the edge of the Green forest. not far
away.
This is most unfortunate, what you
tell me-" Casparin was saying. "You
should not have taken up the pursuit.
| We could have found the fool with
less trouble. Now undoubtedly he has
told his story to yolner. And yolner
is strong ndllerent of my brother,
though n tenant of myself. Fla!
have an idea! Nolner owes me consid-
cradle land tax. He is so far behind
that / threatened him but day or two
| since. Now l will issue orders not to
allow single member of his house.
hold to leave the farm. will have
| the place surrounded, and any one at
tempting to get away / will cause to
be arrested and brought here. 1t can
appear that I suspect them of an at
tempt to rob me of my dues, for he has
no goods, this Volner, upon which I
| can seize.
in this way, even If the American
does tell the story, we can keep it
from getting out till we know what is
to be done. If this report is true and
my brother intends entering Deneslia
by way of Ontro, then all is easy as
play. The road they will take leads
past the Green forest, where almost
anything could happen. I, of course,
must not be suspected. shall meet
them with my men handsomely mount
ed. A feast shall be prepared, for the
prince will undoubtedly stop at my
castle. You, disguised and with the
best horses awaiting you in the Green
forest, will do your part and at once
mount and get across the border. I
will give you money, and when have
been seated securely upon the throne
you shall return and claim the other
rewards promised
ut was strange, though, that it
should be the father of the girl you
suggest for my bride who met us at
the ravine," said vandal.
eyes, was 1t not?" said Casparin,
with laugh How do you like Papa
Volner? He is host in himself. Have
you seen the daughter YETI"
mo; have not been near the place."
ut would be rash. But you shall see
her soon enough. This Duvally, who
stands like a tiger between my brother
and his foes, shall be among the first
to meet his fate"
1t was on the following day that the
cure, while riding his sleepy and well
fed horse toward Yolner's farm, was
stopped on the road by two Of the bail
IFS from Casparin's official household,
"Whither goest thou, father?" asked
they.
whittier indeed, my son, but to
nurse the wounded. Hast thou not
heard of the poor young gentleman
who lies wounded at yolner's farmg'
I'VE know naught of that, father,
but we have received orders from
Prince Casparin. our master, to allow
no one to enter yolner's or one of Vol
ner's people to come OUT
us that 500" queried the priest in
surprise. 81 knew that Nolner was be-
hind in his rents, but what has he done
to merit this?"
1T has become known that he is
planning to step out and leave the
place and the prince in the lurch.'
Nonsense! Volner was talking with
me but yesterday about his plans for
the coming year.
"And has been writing to land agents
In England to obtain farm for this
very month";" said the bailiff, with a
ready lie.
SIS 1t possible? Is 1t possible?' said
the gentle cure. 81 did not suspect
that Of Volner. Then am even for
hidden to attend the wounded at Vol
ner's house?'
you are not to enter, or any one,
father"
The priest, shaking his head sadly,
turned his horse and rode homeward.
Here's pretty pass!" cried one of
the farm hands, who had started for the
village to make purchases, to Volner
when he had been sent back. 81 was
stopped at the gate by the bailiffs of
Prince Casparin, who informed me
that not one Of us was to be allowed to
leave the place nor another enter"
"AIy God! Has Casparin resolved
thus to crowd me to death? What plan
has he by which he can squeeze mon
ey from the stones on this farm,
whether people go or Gomez"
well, it seems there is rascally
story that you have planned to leave
Deneslia, rob him of his due and seek
home and fortune elsewhere"
"My God, my Godw groaned yolner,
sinking into a chair. IF they say
that, they have lied. And If they have
sunk so low as to lie about me, they
are plotting something worse. All!
This wounded lad! He is the center
of this attack, am sure. Oh, that
he could speak and tell
Father, come quickr' cried Adria
just then, bursting in upon him.
"Come at once! May heaven be with
us now, for we need Gods power to
help. Our young man is talking, and
the cure is not arrived, Oh, come
and hear these terrible whisperings!
l know not if they be the rambling of
the delirlous or the words Of awful
truth"
CHAPTER XII.
ADRIA GIVES WARNING.
Y1oJ,N EP fol,owed bis dauch+er