The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-23

fore the plotters TO warn the prince. At
Ontro / found that the three Frenchn,en
were at the same Inn as | was. At that
Inn 1 was robbed OF what money / had
with me. and for some reason or other
the innkeeper made an attempt on my
lie in the night. escaped, set his inn on
fire. stole a horse and set out. followed
by the three Frenchmen who had discoy-
cred my presence there.
"One OF these Frenchmen, a man named
Vaiidal, Is TO receive for his reward In
this matter a large sum OF money,
place OF honor when Casparln comes -
the throne and the hand OF your daugh-
ter Adria Duvally is TO be killed. The
Princess Marie is To be married 10
powerful Russian prince TO obtain Rus
has at heart.
! 'All this l learned In Paris. do not,
OF course, know what has been done
here. The prince is no doubt safe In his
palace at Trolle."
AS the hurried whisper stopped, Vol
ner clasped his hands in excitement and
paced up and down the room.
mo! That Is the worst of it!' he
said, with a groan. "If the prince had
come direct from Paris. he would now be
safely surrounded by his faithful people.
But he fingered In Berlin. and now, worse
the luck could never be. he comes by way
OF Ontro, and Casparin is strong only in
the prince must 40 to reach Trolle.
And here am /, with all my household,
penned up by an order OF Casparin whose
tenant i'm arrears L am so unfortunate
as TO be.
"Ha! / see through the plot now as
through "A window glass. Casparin Is not
strong enough here 10 attempt open
violence in my house. There are friends
OF Prince Charles in these parts. But
for that, my brave American friend, you
would undoubtedly have been killed while
you were unconscious and unable TO tell
this story of perfidy
but now Casparin, using only such
authority as he possesses as my land
lord, hold us all within the confines OF our
farm while he and his crime-stained COM
rades plan 10 slay the prince. Then, when
Casparin is supreme, we may be sacri-
feed as he wills-my daughter 10 this
French scoundrel and / perhaps to death
and you certainly.
by neaveen! L will get out! 1 will
saddle my horse and fly TO meet the
prince beyond Ontro. There L will warn
him and
You will do no such thing" said
Adria, planting herself firmly before her
father. A fine plan that would be-
And what would become of my mother
of me and OF our guest here with you' our
defender away?''
But the prince must be warned, my
daughterl Think Would you have me
sit idly in the house, afraid TO stir, while
our noble prince and his lovely princess
are perhaps shot down in cold blood?
The prince shall be warned in time,
said Adria firmly. II insist, however.
that YOU remain Suppose you succeed
in dashing past the bailiff guards What
then? The news goes to Casparin. He
understands that the plot is exposed ano
the prince will be warned. In revenge
he will come here in force and slay us
all"
ives yes. there is truth in what you
sayw groaned Volner, with increasing
agitation. But what can we do?'
IL shall warn the prince
"Youw
Volner stopped short and looked aghast
at his pretty daughter.
II shall warn the prince. Is there one
near here who can outride me on the
black mare? With the feetest horse in
Casparin's stables laundering at her heels
the black mare will reach Ontro safely
but you could not get away. HOW
would you pass the bailiffs?
THAT / must leave till | reach them
Trust me- father. This brave American
has already taught us lesson. lie mas
placed his life a dozen times In danger
for n prince ne does not know. And now
should we do less for that same prince
who is a friend and protector to all that
is good in Deneslia?'
mo" said Volna with a tremor. mo,
we cannot do less than the stranger
But | dread oh, how / dread, TO have
you make this attempt"
She did not wait TO listen further
Buckford, exhausted by the effort OF
making so long speech, had sunk into
deep slumber.
Adria spoke to her mother, gave di-
rections concerning the care of the Amerl-
can and quietly slipped away.
In short time she reappeared clad IN
neat fitting riding habit
Saddle my black mare" she said 60
one OF the stablemen.
"But Miss Adria, you cannot leave
the place" was the reply.
saddle the mare, and we VIII see,
said Adria.
So thc mare was saddled. and a pretty
picture made Adria as she cantercd along
the smooth road to the principal gate OF
the farm.
"why does she choose the gate?"
oueried Volner. watching from window
II would have tried n weaker force.
There are four men there.
But Adria rode on TIL the brldie OF her
mare was taken in hand by one of the
guards at the gate.
"sorrv. Miss Adrla." he said. 1T is
against our orders His highness Prince
Casparin has instructed us to allow no
one 10 leave the farm
mot even 20 ride 10 see Casparln nm
self?'' asked Adria
'oh--ah-that is something different
I suppose that could be done. But an
escort must go with you.
Il agree to that. certainly said Adj
ria. Two or three OF you should be able
TO protect the country from receiving
harm at my hands
lie laughcd-an abashed, shamed sort
Of laugh-and said:
II trust you will pardon us We are
but obeying orders. | Will accompany
YOU 10 the castle. You will not be an
.noyed"
II thank YOU" said Adria
The man mounted his own horse which
was tethered near. and the two set or.
"In a few hours We should meet the
princc on the road 10 Ontro,' said the
talkative baiin HE rides with full
company 20 meet his brother, our gcu-
erous Prince OF Deneslia. who comes by
way Of Ontro from Berlin. Word has
been received that the train IN which our
prince and family ride will reach Ontro