Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-05-10

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Let the messenger be chosen ut once"
that you were in search Of me. In
Stavropol you disappeared. and | fear
ed that you had been murdered by
some avenger Of Ladislov. 1t was al
most by guesswork, founded upon the
vaguest rumor. that came to believe
you had been taken to Gredskov."
Darrelrs voice was not free from
tremor of emotion rs he rejoined:
"How did you know anything of my
fate? The mere fact that you were
sufficiently interested to make single
inquiry repays me hundred times for
all ] have suffered"
81 had agents in Stavropol," said We
ra, coloring. upon other matters. Hav-
ing heard that you had travelled in that
direction with Ivan Getchikoff, my
agents thought you worth an inquiry.
They learned that you had been ar
rested upon your arrival. but neither
they, working secretly. nor the Amerl'
can consul, protesting openly. could
gain any knowledge Of what had hap
pened to you afterward. 1t was given
out that you had been Immediately re-
leased and had left the city. Your bag
gage was obtained by the consul, whe
received also a packet forwarded to
you in his care from Paris. by Mr.. Cor
don doubtless. These things were In
the consul's hands three weeks ago."
"Three weeks ago" cried Darrell,
rising slowly. "Have you had word SO
late"
Vera's cheeks were burning.
1--WE have still our agents in Stavro-
pol" she said. land occasional commu-
nication is possible. They have thought
it worth while to report to me In re-
gard 10 your affairs"
"Then nothing else In the world mat
ters in the least" he said. 81 do not
magnify your interest In me, butt
She checked him with look that
was both intense and smiling.
"You couldn't" said she almost in q
whisper, and at that he laid his hand
upon hers. which was palm upward on
a pile Of military reports.
"Vera"- he began, but suddenly
there was a clash Of guns and sabers
in the hall.
The princess raped upon the table
with the scabbard Of her sword, a
much bejeweled weapon that had lain
across q chair beside her. At the sum-
mons an orderly appeared with the
rigid haste Of a toy monkey on q
stick. Vera pointed to the door COM
municating with the hall. and pres.
into her lap as 1t fell Darrell led the
horse among the trees and then watch
ed beside the sleeper until the sky over
his head began to be silvered by the
rising moon. Then he reused him and
led him to a brook where the water ran
cold as ice. korna drank Of it and then
thrust in his head, declaring aftcrward
that he was as good as new and fit for
any adventure.
The horse was not In condition to car
ry double, but he was perfectly sound
and much refreshed by his rest. Dar-
rell mounted him. and Korna walked at
his head. 1t was in the nature Of a re-
lief for the Circassian to walk after so
long q time in the saddle, and to Dar-
rell's lame leg the change in method Of
locomotion was grateful rs sleep.
They proceeded with caution and ex-
changed but few words. The light Of
morning was in the sky when they
were challenged by the pickets outside
Of Vladikaukas, and an hour later they
were both asleep within the walls Of
the city. They had asked to be reused
after two hours Of slumber, and this
was done. A breakfast that seemed
fare fit for the gods to Darrell was
ready. and as it was brought in, an or
derly appeared with the information
that Motman Khan would receive them
presently.
Korna looked sharply at Darrell, and
when the orderly had withdrawn he
asked:
"Whom do you expect to see?"
81 have no doubts upon the subject"
answered the American. "My only
puzzle is the reason for this masquer-
ade."
1.-THE princess desired to take the
field" replied Korna. "but Kilziar per-
suaded her that she could not do it as
a woman. So she took this name Of
Motman Khan. which was assumed by
q member Of her family during brief
but futile uprising following the peace
of thirty odd years ago"
"He is no fool. this Kilziar." rejoined
Darrell.
at is far better-for him-that the
troops should cheer her as Motman
Khan than directly as the Princess
Vera" said Korna. 1T makes her a
military leader. in which capacity she
cannot hope to rival Kilziar, who Is
the best solder that ever led an army