The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-04-12

10 greet him. 1t appeared that. though
there is a railroad 10 Vladikaakas, TIE
garrison had not been REINFORCED M
the outbreak of the struggle TO the eA-
tent necessary 20 hold IL. and, even so,
the force wlth.n the walls had retreat
ed upon very small provocation, IN the
officers opinion. He said fatty that
the city ought 10 have been held with
out much difficulty and that the Rus
sian retreat from II ought TO result IN
court martial or two.
However" he added, 1--WE can't hold
II. and the sooner we make a junction
with Prince Kilziar the better.
He was surprised 20 hear from OAR
rel 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 Il good but somewhat
spectacular military discipline. An un-
necessary number of sentries stood up
on guard, and they challenged all com
ers In manner that suggested 10 OAR
rell the military dramas that he had
seen In his own country. His heart
swelled with pity for the woman ne
loved thus playing soldier in this pre-
posterous campaign.
Upon the veranda Of the structure ne
beheld woman with the figure aAd
warlike bearing Of Brunhllde, but 100
old for the role. and he learned thar she
was n 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 70 have
seen her
pausing for a moment in the hall, he
was conscious OF a boyish excitement
agreeable TO the heart as any touch or
youth Is To the man who has seen much
OF life 4 door opened, lie heard the
sound OF Yera's voice, and the blood
rushed 10 his face.
The princess sat by long table upon
which were many documents and maps
BY her side stood a gray haired man IN
a generals uniform. He was typical
Circassian. slender limbed. 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 O
Difference for the princess which was
not without tineness Of quality.
Darrell marked the man because the
opening door revealed him before the
princess. Then he saw nothing bu
Vera. She had grown much older u
these months. and her face revealed
lines that belonged not TO its years
Yet she seemed 10 have borne her hare
ships without loss OF health Her colo
was good and her eyes were wonderful.
bright. Her shoulders were covered b.
q gold embroidered cape that did no
lack feminine suggestion But Oar
rel saw under the table two ridini
boots that might have been mans eX
cept that they were not big enough
and ut the tops OF them baggy trouser
T. like Turks.
D M. Darrell" said Vera In Frencl
: and very coldly, as he thought, Il r.
Z greet TO hear of your mistortunes
though / do not yet understand HOY
:. they could have happened. BE assur
4 ed, however. that you are safe within
y our lines and that / shall soon find
e way by which you can return I
} France"
u with your permission, excellency.
q replied Darrell, that is the least q
5 my anXieties.
d II do not comprehend said she.
VI
r answered, whether 60 France or els'
n where. II It be- upon your service, but
~ wish YOU might lind use for me nearC
at hand"
nj 1T may be So" said she, incllnin
be- her head in such a way that, in obed
ence 10 the nod. he stepped aside pc
hitting korna TO advance.
"EXceuency" said Korna, IL have I
" report thar when your order rcgardn
D. Mr. Darrell was brought 10 Gredsko
ii was delivered 10 me as an officer Z
ic Prince KTlziar's stan The prince w,
T. then outside the city for the purpo.
DIS Of overtaking a caravan which, Ia
lf ing come through the pass, was e
~ deavoriug 10 escape without payir
II toll TO our cause. Believing the ma
&c ter urgent. rode out aud attempted
deliver tile order. The prince refuse
ed to receive II, and when / insisted
attacked me with his sword. We we
ne alone together--or supposed ourselv
M 10 be so-in room of a farmhouse
s. the highway. but through a stran
a coincidence Mr.. Darrell was conceal'
he IN a room overhead. He came TO II
IS assistance, and we both escaped, lea
~ ing the order In the princes hands.
| have come here TO seek your exc
lency's protection"
r. The situation Involved more pQin
90 of military etiquette than Nera {,
he able to decide oThand. and She look
out Of the corner Of her eve az tile %
", eral. who stood 10y the end Of the tab
'ly She felt woman's sudden rescntme