The Iola register., 1902-07-25

something OF lDe IukluB Ol iuc pldCS
through the conversation Of an officer,
friend of Korna's, who had got news
of his arrival in the city and had come
TO greet him. 1t appeared that, though
there is a railroad to Vladikaukas, the
garrison had not been re-enforced at
the outbreak of the struggle to the ex-
tent necessary to hold 1t, and, even so,
the force within the walls had retreat
ed upon very small provocatlon, in the
officers opinion. He said fatty that
the city ought to have been held with
out much difficulty and that the Rus
sian retreat from it ought TO result In
a court martial or two.
However" he added, 1--WE can't hold
1t, and the sooner we make a junction
with Prince Kilzlar the better"
He was surprised to hear from OAR
rell that so numerous force lay south
of them. According TO the best of his
information, no adequate report of the
conditions had reached the khan.
Outside the house of the khan there
was evidence of good but somewhat
spectacular military discipline. An un-
necessary number of sentries stood up
on guard, and they challenged all COM
ers in a manner that suggested to Oar
rell the military dramas that he had
seen in his own country. His heart
swelled with pity for the woman he
loved thus playing soldier in this pre-
posterous campaign.
Upon the veranda Of the structure he
beheld n woman with the figure and
warlke bearing OF Brunhilde, but too
old for the role, and he learned that she
was princess who had been sort Of
military heroine in the fighting days Of
the sixties. This formidable person re-
treated within the house as the party
advanced but Darrell was glad 10 have
seen her.
| Pausing for n moment in the hall, he
was conscious of a boylsh excitement
agreeable to the heart as any touch of
youth is to the man who has seen much
of life. A door opened. He heard the
sound Of Vera's voice, and the blood
rushed TO his face.
The princess sat by long table upon
which were many documents and maps
BY her side stood gray haired man in
generals uniform. He was a typical
Circassian, slender llmbed, dispropor-
| tionately broad in the shoulder, his face
/ stamped with that sort OF pride which
requires nothing but the mans exist
| ence to account for It. Yet this express
sion was modified by anxiety and by n
| Difference for the princess which was
not without fineness of quality.
Darrell marked the man because the
/ opening door revealed him before the
| princess. Then he saw nothing but
! Vera. She had grown much older in
/ these months, and her face revealed
lines that belonged not to its years.
Yet she seemed to have borne her hard
ships without loss of health. Her color
was good and her eyes were wonderfully
! bright. Her shoulders were covered by
n gold embroidered cape that did not
lack feminine suggestion. But Oar
rell saw under the table t$vo riding
boots that might have been mans eX-
cept that they were not big enough,
and at the tops Of them baggy trousers
like a Turks
M. Darrell" said Vera In French
and very coldly, ms he thought, Il re-
gret 10 hear Of your misfortuncs,
though l do not yet understand how
tney coulu nave happened. BE aSsur-
ed, however, that you are safe within
our lines and that / shall soon find Il
way by which you can return to
France
with your permission, excellency,"
replied Darrell, that is the least Of
my anXietles."
II do not comprehend" said she.
Il will 20 where you send me-" he
answered, whether to France or else
where, if it he upon your service, but l
wish you might find use for me nearer
at hand"
1T may be So" said she, inclining
her head in such a way that, in obedi-
ence to the nod, he stepped aside, per-
mitting Korna to advance
"EXcellency," said Korna, "I have to
report that when your order regarding
Mr.. Darrell was brought to Gredskov
1t was delivered TO me as an officer of
Prince kilzlar's staff. The prince was
then outside the city for the purpose
oI oVertaklnS n caravan which, haV-
ing come through the pass, was en-
deayoring to escape without paying
toll to our cause. Believing the mat
ter urgent rode out and attempted to
deliver the order. The prince refused
10 receive it, and when | insisted he
attacked me with his sword. We were
alone together-Or supposed ourselves
TO be so-in a room of farmhouse by
the highway, but through strange
coincidence Mr.. Darrell was concealed
IN room overhead. He came to my
assistance, and we both escaped, leav-
ing the order in the princes hands.
have come here to seek your excel
lency's protection"
The situation involved more points
of military etiquette than Vera felt
able to decide offhand, and she looked
/ Ol1t of fla GoFnpr pf lat axro at tho ,.,,,