The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-01-17

81 trust you will pardon us. we are
but obeying orders. l will accompany
you to the castle. You will not be an
noyed."
81 thank you," said Adria.
The man mounted his own horse,
which was tethered near, and the two
set off.
Gin few hours we should meet the
prince on the road to Ontro," said the
talkative bailiff. HE rides with full
company TO meet his brother, our gen.
erous' Prince of Deneslia, who comes
by way of Ontro from Berlin. Word
has been received that the train in
which our prince and his family ride
will reach Ontro late today"
Late today" answered Adria, as
though it was a small matter. "It is
late already"
Yes. In a few hours-perhaps two
or three-the prince will be at Ontro."
They rode on for about a half mile
to spot where the road ran through a
bit of woods and where none of Cas-
parin'S men were stationed.
No one was to be seen. The roads
were deserted. all of the tenantry be-
ing engaged III getting ready to ride
with Casparin to meet the prince.
Suddenly Adria's mare came to a
standstill, while the accompanying
bailiff was looking another way.
Adria slid to the ground.
"My mare limped," she said. 81
think she has picked up a stone. This
is bad road for horses
The man, to be chivalrous, dismount-
ed and stepped to her side.
Let me see," he said, STOPPING to
lift the mares hoof
In an instant his own horse received
a cut with a whip that sent it off at a
racing pace. He roared out an oath,
forgetting the young lady's presence,
and ran q short distance after his fly
ing steed.
The sound of hoofs brought him to a
halt, and he saw with dismay the
daughter of the farmer, on her black
mare, flying in the other direction-to-
ward Ontro.
"Well, I'm done!' he growled, half
inclined to curse and yet feeling anus
ed at the manner in which the clever
girl had outwitted him. ''Well, the
girl is out for lark. Who will be the
worse for it? Not Casparin, for she
owes him nothing. 1 will keep my
own counsel on this matter and not be
a laughing stock to my companions.
But | must get my horse"
His horse had slackened pace, and in
10 minutes he had recovered the ami
NAL.
But in that Is minutes where was
Adria? The black mare had thundered
down the road to a bridge over the
ravine. This she crossed, struck into
the road to Ontro and went like the
wind to meet and save her prince and
one who was more than her prince
her lover.
No one staid her, but still the mare
sped on. 1t was, so Adria thought,
a race against time. At any moment
the train bearing the prince and his
family might enter Ontro, and who
knew what miscreants were lying in
wait for them there?
She reached Ontro without mishap.
The ruins of Robard's inn caused her
but moments thought, but she smil-
ed once as she thought of how that
brave American made his escape from
the murderous precincts.
At the railroad station she learned
that the train was even then due.
In the now deserted stable of Ro-
bard's inn she hid her horse and wait
ed.
The train came laundering into the
station. Even as it came the trumpets
of Casparin's cavalcade could be heard
in the distance.
The first person to step from the
train was Bosso Duvally. The first
person Duvally saw was Adria Volner.
'Adria" he cried. "Are you the
first to greet the prince?"
'Listen! We have no time for COM
pliments. The life of the prince is in